Having tried their luck at the Overdrive Instrumental Band Contest for the second consecutive year, Bangkok-based outfit Boda have finally seen their efforts pay off, scooping four awards, including the coveted Best Instrumental Band prize, in the final round held last week at Thunder Dome at Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani.

"I think we won because we achieved a good dynamic," says keyboardist Teerapat "Duck" Jantob, and proud winner of the Best Keyboardist prize.

"Our overall sound is definitely better this year," adds drummer Aswin "Off" Narintrongul na Ayudhana, who replaced the original percussionist and won the Best Drummer award.

"Playing music is really all about experience. The more we played, the more faults we found. And we've worked hard on improving."

Boda, whose name comes from the initials of each of their nicknames, takes home Bt145,000 in cash and will soon be cutting their first album on Craftsman Records label.

Two years ago, Teerapat, bassist Worachart "Bank" Changya, drummer Chalermchai "Om" Khumsanied and vocalist Krisanapol "Ble" Pathrathitinan, formed the original Bod.

The band played mainly covers by progressive rockers Dream Theatre.

Last year, they entered Overdrive's first instrumental band contest and failed to make the mark, although they did make it through to the second round and Chalermchai picked up the Best Drummer award.

"Last year, I was playing keyboards too loudly. It was my fault we didn't do well. I didn't listen properly to myself while we were rehearsing," says Teerapat.

This year, Boda impressed judges with jazz/rock number "Lipstick Traces" and a self-penned unnamed number.

"We've discovered ourselves as musicians with our own sound, which leans towards jazz but is not pure jazz.

"Our guitarist is skilled in jazz, the bassist is responsible for rhythm and I'm responsible for chords. The bassist and I worked together on developing the new song."

Other contest winners were Talent, who walked off with the Popular Vote and Bt35,000, with their guitarist Chayapat Phoomalee taking the Best Guitar prize.

Blind band Diamond won the Most Impressive Award and took home Bt20,000 in cash.

Last year's winner Contempostic provided the live entertainment.

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation