Published on October 18, 2005

Global fame awaits the Thai winners of a planet-wide battle of the bands

Entertainment mogul Vinij Lertratanachai has impressive credentials. A veteran DJ, he launched Thailand’s first 24-hour music radio station, Pirate Rock. His is a name to be reckoned with if you’re putting on a concert by foreign visitors, and he’s organised multiple music festivals at some of the best-known teen venues on Bangkok’s Royal City Avenue and at Siam Square.

A few months ago, Vinij set up Fresh Air, a new company devoted to promoting and organising large-scale entertainment projects. His first client was Click Radio, to which he was an adviser.

Now he’s concentrating on what he claims to be the world’s biggest talent competition for live bands – the Global Battle of the Bands, Gbob for short.

The competition began last year in London and is gaining momentum.

Bands from 16 countries took part in last year’s finals, and 24 nations – among them Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Jamaica, Jordan, Mexico, Norway and Thailand – have already signed up for this year’s contest.

Fresh Air is Thailand’s Gbob representative, and has laid out Bt30 million for the local rounds at Central in Phuket and Central Airport Plaza in Chiang Mai on November 5, at Big C in Khon Kaen on November 12 and at Bangkok’s Central World Plaza on November 13. The winning band will be announced on November 20.

There are just two rules: no cover songs and no pre-recorded music. All musical genres are welcome.

The bands have to come up with two original songs and total playing time can’t exceed eight minutes.

“That’s not a long time to prove their worth, so the bands have to produce something special to catch the eyes and ears of the judges,” says Vinai.

The local judges are Chatree Kongsuwan, Kamol Sukosol Clapp, Sutee Sangsereechon, Soros Punakabut, Phongphrom Sanitwongs Na Ayuthaya, Chakrin Duangmaneeratanachai, Boyd Kosiyabong, Thanat Thanyaharn, Prapas Cholsaranon and Prart Arunrangsi.

“Gbob is the Miss Universe pageant of music,” says Vinij. “We know it’s going to be hard to pick a winning band, but we’ve invited sound engineers, songwriters, producers and musicians to try and make that decision.

“Thai bands won’t have trouble competing with foreign bands. Language isn’t a problem. The most important thing is to play with feeling.”

The winner will represent Thailand in the world final at the London Astoria on December 7. The overall world winner receives US$100,000 (Bt4.1 million) cash and tours in the participating countries.

Bands can apply for the competition until the end of October at www.gbobthailand.com. The application fee is Bt2,500.

For more information, call (02) 641 5190-1.

“It will be great, like MTV Asia Aid!” says Vinij.

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation

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