Thailand's teens of the '80s may have grown up three decades ago, but songs from the past still play on. While today's youth hum classic pop tunes they've heard covered by new bands and long for something new, their parents look to rekindle moments from their teenage years with glossy synth-pop melodies and epic love-story lyrics.
That's the task for newly formed band the Palace, whose members consist of popular artists from seven heavy-hitting '80s Thai pop bands. Challenged with staying true to their musical roots amid a modern music scene of one ephemeral hit after another, the Palace seeks to carve out a niche appealing to both young and older listeners.
The band's formation was driven by Saichon Radomkij from the Innocent, who now works at local record label LoveIs. "I thought, if there was a band producing '80s songs today, it may be good for listeners _ so I started calling my friends," Saichon says.
"I invited two '80s artists to play at Big Mountain Music Festival with other young bands. The feedback was very positive _ people still remember the songs from our age and sing them as well."
In addition to Saichon, the Palace's line-up now comprises Suntorn "Jeed" Sujaritchant from Royal Sprite, Wongsakorn "Ton" Rasmidathe from McIntosh, Peerasun Chuabsamai from the Innocent, Montri "Jued" Kittikan from Forever, Ronnachai "Aod" Thomyapariwat from Keereeboon, Ronnapob "Toey" Akkaracha from Inca and Vasu "Jib" Sangsingkeo from Ploy.
The '80s teen idols will play their much anticipated comeback concert _ Legend of Retro _ on Saturday at Bangkok's Bitec Hall in Bang Na.
OLD SCHOOL BORN AGAIN
After Saichon succeeded in gathering all of the band's members together, he came up with the name the Palace with co-worker Boyd Kosiyabong. The name alludes to a famous disco on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road that in the '80s was the RCA of its day.
"I talked to Boyd about the band, he was also excited and he came up with the name 'the Palace', which he said was the most popular discotheque among youngsters back in the '80s," Saichon smiles.
"Everyone our age knows the Palace."
GOOD TO COME BACK
The Palace have succeeded in bringing back their '80s legacy to a modern Thai music scene. They formed the band not only to play big concerts in Bangkok _ they have since toured around the country for events in need of an '80s revival.
"The band has been rehearsing and playing for the past two years and so far, the feedback has been very nice," says Ton, the band's drummer and also a vocalist.
Ton adds that the band's fans are not only people who were teens in the '80s, but also new young listeners who have a genuine love for the music.
"Not all of our fans are as old as we are. There are also teens who listen to our songs who have been listening with their parents since they were young," Ton says.
Peerasun, the band's keyboardist, tells Brunch: "Someone said that at the time we had our concerts back when we were with our old bands, decades ago, they could not afford to go see us.
"And when they could finally afford to show up, we had already stopped playing concerts. On our [Facebook] Fanpage, there are many 'thank you' posts. Many of them said 'thank you' because we put our fans in touch the past and they feel like they can go back in time, to being a teenager again."
FINDING A MODERN CLASSIC
When asked to compare their music from the '80s and their modern set, the Palace members agree that some elements from the past are missing from the new material. However, the band says it is not a matter of the music being better or worse; it is simply an adaptation to the trends of a new generation.
"Comparing songs now and songs in the '80s, both the lyrics and melody are different," says Toey, the band's guitarist. "And it was tougher in the past to produce a song. An album of 24 tracks took at least a month to record. Now, a studio can be set up in a house and songs can be recorded on a computer. It is much easier."
Peerasan adds: "When we were young, we listened to songs written by kru [professional songwriters]. The lyrics in their songs are exquisite. When we became songwriters, we wanted to keep that charm. It's not easy _ we must find the right words, as in a poem, to explain the story _ but modern songs are more like [newspaper] articles."
The band says that today's media more quickly create fleeting trends than was the case three decades ago _ putting up an obstacle to creating enduring hits that will be remembered by a whole generation.
''Many people say that the old songs are remembered, because of both the melody and the lyrics. But the songs of this generation become popular for only a few moments while people can recognise them, but most people can't sing or remember the lyrics,'' Saichon says.
''The media were slower in the past. Trends were around long enough to be accepted by a generation. That's why one old song can bring back so many memories for people,'' Saichon adds.
''We are not complaining about modern songs, but as time passes, everything changes so quickly and songs can't be as lastingly famous as they were before. Songs today are written as an event and not a whole story.''
THE COMEBACK CONCERT
Band members are clearly psyched at the opportunity to celebrate their successful comeback with their first big live concert on Saturday at Bitec.
''The audience will enjoy famous songs from our old bands from our generation _ not cover songs, as we'll be singing our own songs. Each song we've chosen is a hit from the past still being covered today,'' Ton says.
The concert will also feature a special song written by Toey to thank the fans for their overwhelming support.
''This will be a special song I wrote a long time ago, but never let anyone sing. It's called Khob Khun Sawan [Thanks to the Heaven] and will be sung by Aod, Jeed and Jib.''
NOTHING BUT HAPPINESS
The band insist that they will keep their unique '80s style as they continue their foray into Thailand's modern music scene.
The Palace are recording Khob Khun Sawan, and hope to have each band member produce their own original track.
''If people from our generation don't work in music circles, it's more difficult for them to find music. There's nowhere for them to listen to their favourite music at a live concert because the songs are already too old,'' Saichon tells Brunch.
''We don't expect to compete with any of today's modern bands. We formed our band and sing and write our songs to serve a target audience that looks forward to listening to them.''
Peerasun says: ''We expect nothing but happiness from our listeners. We know that they wish to remind themselves of the past.
''Each famous song of ours contains different memories for people from our generation. One might have fallen in love when listening to one of our songs for the first time. Now, 30 years later, everything has changed _ but the songs can still help bring back the feeling of that moment.''
The Palace: Legend of Retro Concert is on Saturday, from 6pm at Hall 106, Bitec Bang Na. For more information call 02-262-3456.
