PROVINCIAL SCHOOLBOYS MAKE ONE-OFF RETURN

       It's nothing new for bands from the olden days to reform for a one shot concert, which has actually become a norm for many years now. Some bands can't stop from staging more and more shows while others reunite and produce new music to varied degrees of success. But the decision made by The Innocent to come back for a one-off show has delighted many fans far and beyond.
       "I don't think we will be the last one to do it. There are many more bands from the past that haven't made a return, and I'd really like to see some of them perform again," said guitarist and prominent all-around music man Chatree Kongsuwan.
       Chatree, Peerasanti Chuabsamai (keyboards and vocals), Saichon Radomkij (rhythm guitar and vocals)and Senee Chatwichai (bass and vocals) all guarantee that the show sets out to be a spectacular affair with full-blown sound, stage and lighting production as well as stellar guest appearances. Putting the "Vegas"aspects aside The Innocent, however, is indeed the most exciting element of the show.
       The list of hits alone is staggering. You'll be surprised to discover when going through The Innocent's discography that it is brimming with hits and familiar songs that are still being covered by today's artists or sung at pubs across the country. Throughout the '80s The Innocent splashed music lovers with pop rock tunes that were both gentle and innovative. They are one of those bands that as soon as the first few notes are played, listeners can immediately begin to hum or most likely belt out - the sweet lyrics. Apart from topping the charts many times over, the core four band members are also lauded for their musicality and skills; who are capable of veering between one sharp guitar slide and progressive note to the most tender lullabies. Peerasanti is often credited as one of the first keyboard wizards, who is usually seen in old footages surrounded by multiple keyboards, while Chatree is lauded for his axe skills. The two artists have also influenced present-day musicians in terms of song writing and overall musical ability.
       "We're honoured and happy when people come up to us and say that our music means a lot to them. As you know, our songs have been covered quite a bit,and we think it is nice that people still keep our music ... music that we composed ... alive! A great honour,really," said Senee.
       "I feel like we're just another page in the book of Thai music history - and the book is very thick. We're happy that people still sing our songs and enjoy them.But don't think of us as an old band! There are a lot of older bands that people still remember and are fond of their music," said Chatree, laughing.
       The Innocent admit that it has taken longer than their peers to reappear again. Some fans thought it would never happen.
       "We weren't ready before, and we really wanted to do a good show, so we didn't jump right into it. The trend [of reuniting] is dying down a bit, so it's not like we're following and jumping on a bandwagon. There have been many requests, but the time wasn't right because we've always been busy doing our own thing.But we feel that we are ready now. Our only fear is that the fans won't come to see us!" said Saichon, adding that the band has been in rehearsal since May.
       "We've always been very inclined to practise and practise. Even back in the day we practised a lot when we weren't even on tour. We liked it. No, it didn't really take a lot to remember and unearth the playing skills since we still remember all our songs. The rust came off very quickly. They are, after all, our songs. We made them, and can never forget them," said Peerasanti.
       And no one can forget that The Innocent started out in the quaint, sleepy town of Ratchaburi where as schoolmates Peerasanti, Saichon and Senee found each other and together began playing folk music.Chatree was also at the same school, but at the time with a different band, in which a teacher played bass for him. Chatree didn't join the band until later on.The Innocent first played as a band in 1979 in a school music contest, and only one year later the three released their debut album,Ruk Mai Roo Dub ("Staying Love")and followed with Bang Pa Kong in 1981. Both albums were met with lukewarm reception. But before calling it quits, the trio decided to make one more album as a farewell to their musical dreams. Thus,Kwan Jai Nuk Rian ("Students' Favourite") was released; the music direction had changed from folk to string combo and the overall mood was more fun and lively. Chatree,who joined the band for this particular album, also brought in new strength and completed the line-up.Surprisingly, to the band members themselves, their first hit song,Sob Tok ("Fail"), suddenly jump-started their career, which has proven to be a long one at that.The song was such a huge success that the band moved to Bangkok - a place where popularity couldn't be stopped.
       "We were flabbergasted to say the least. We didn't know that it would become a hit. We were just a couple of boys from the province, you know, who didn't quite understand what was happening. But we didn't really hesitate to make the big move [to Bangkok] and pursue our music career. I don't think any musician would think twice to move if given that kind of chance to create something," said Senee.
       "We were just teenagers who didn't really think about anything. I think my only concern was whether they would allowme to put a lot of guitar solos into the songs," said Chatree.
       The band toured around the country and in doing so they established a large fanbase. But it was Yuu Hor ("Dorm Life"), which was released in 1982 and Pieng Krasib ("Just Whisper") in 1983 that put them on a higher level with the masses.
       "We never thought that we were famous. We always saw ourselves as a provincial band who had been given a bit of luck. I still took the bus and people would sometimes recognise me," said Saichon."I didn't feel uncomfortable with the so-called fame part, though.I felt that life was easier somehow. I also didn't believe that we were hugely popular, and sometimes I thought to myself,'Why weren't we as famous as the other bands!" Chatree added.
       The Innocent saw revolving musicians and singers joining force, but the core members always remained.The hit streak continued until their ninth album,10 Nalika ("10 o'clock"), which released in 1989. It housed several timeless hits, including Prow Ther Rur Plow ("Is it Because of You?"),Si Waela Plow ("Waste of Time"), plus many more. The album was both a critical and commercial success. However, the band decided to go their separate ways at the peak of their careers.
       "No, no, no we didn't fight at all. It was a very amicable and mutually agreed split. We've never been that kind of band, you know. I think the success of our last album didn't really say anything about anything.We all took leave because at that point all of us were busily involved in other projects, and we felt that it was time to go," said Chatree.
       The strangest thing, though, was how they could all just simply drop everything. Something that is unimaginable today, where bankable artists are binded with ironclad contracts that are near impossible to be freed from.
       "That was the upside of having no contract. Of course, the label minded, but we didn't really care. All of our works were like charity. We were alive during the era when there weren't really any structures in the music business. So we had no contracts to stop us from leaving. But at the same time we had no contract to protect us," said Chatree."We own the rights to our music since we wrote them, but we still don't own the master tapes, you see. So to this very day, when you see our compilation albums or reissues, we are not even making a single baht. I really don't think it's very fair for the band, so we're gonna have a box set on sales soon," he added.
       "Oh, can Bangkok Post get our money back for us?"Senee said, laughing.
       Although the band disbanded, Chatree, Peerasanti and Saichan still remain in the music business until today. Chatree joined the GMM Grammy force as a producer and later a powerful executive. Two years ago, Chatree released an award-winning conceptual album titled,Into the Light . He now runs his own company and is heavily involved with Academy Fantasia.Saichon joined with Bakery Music, and is now with Boyd Kosiyapong's Love Is production while Peerasanti prefers to stay behind the scenes rendering his musical talents. Senee is the only band member who has completely changed the music career - to business.
       "I don't think we'll reform as a band again, or as often. So it's quite a special occasion to us, and we really want everyone to enjoy it. We'll play all the hits with some tweaks and rearrangements. There will be contemporary elements in the songs also, but it will be very much still The Innocent you can expect," said Chatree.
       'Singha Corporation Reunites The Innocent' concert, at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, on October 10. Tickets are 800,1,200,2,000,2,500 and 3,500 baht. Call 02-833-5555,or visit www.totalreservation.com.