Carabao ( Thai : คาราบาว ) is a Thai rock band that is very popular in Thailand and other asian countries. [ 1 ] The group was formed in 1981 by university students Yuenyong Opakul ( Aed ) and Kirati Promsaka Na Sakon Nakhon ( Keo or Khiao ) who met while studying at Mapúa Institute of Technology in the Philippines. The word carabao means “ buffalo ”, a symbol of fighting, hard employment, and solitaire. They are known for their Phleng phuea chiwit ( เพลงเพื่อชีวิต ) or ‘songs for life ‘. This kind of music came to prominence through the protest songs of the 1970s political turbulence in Thailand, particularly from the band Caravan. Carabao have blended the acoustic/folk vogue of ‘peua chiwit ‘ with other forms of Thai music, western rock candy and country music, and diverse kinds of worldly concern music like Latin music and reggae, earning such labels as ‘ethnic rockers ‘ and ‘Kings of 3Cha ‘ or ‘Rolling Stones of Asia ‘. [ 2 ] MTV Asia calls them “ veteran ”. [ 3 ] Carabao ‘s songs frequently tackle sociable and political issues, demanding social justice and taking on the causes of the ordinary Thai people, but they have besides created love songs and more philosophical songs that carry messages for people everywhere. conduct singer/songwriter Aed Carabao is loved by many and is besides celebrated for his sharp natural language and open criticism of corrupt politicians, boastfully occupation, and environmental end. At least one or two songs on most albums up to the mid-’90s were banned by the politics and coverage of the band rarely appeared on government television receiver and radio receiver stations. Despite this, Carabao is the most democratic Thai rock group of all time. Carabao reached cult condition long ago and is now one of the most successful fabled rock groups in the populace. They have been compared to the rock candy set U2. [ 4 ]

History overview [edit ]

Carabao has a long and complex history, with multiple lineups and several members who have left and rejoined the band numerous times. Leader/guitarist/vocalist Aed is the only member who has participated in all their albums and tours, although most of their lineups have featured bassist Ot and guitarist Lek.

prehistory [edit ]

Carabao was in the first place formed in the Philippines with three members, Aed, Keo, and a third base member named Khai, all of whom sing and played guitar. They stopped playing together when Aed returned to Thailand. however, Aed continued to play music and write songs, contributing a song to the democratic songs for the Thai Muslim life band “ Hammer, ” and playing as a back extremity of the dance band “ Hope. ” After the know of playing with early bands, he decided that he wanted to revive Carabao so that he could have his own band. He persuaded Keo to return and switch to bass .

The early albums [edit ]

Carabao released their first base album, Lung Khii Maw ( ลุงขี้เมา – “ The Drunken Old Man ” ), in 1981, with Aed and Khiao backed by a member of “ Hope ”, as the fledgling ring lacked a drummer, lead guitarist or keyboardist. This album featured a simple, primitive folky heavy, not drastically different from other Songs for Life bands from that era, although it did feature a detectable rock influence, something that earlier Songs for Life bands like Caravan and Hammer had lacked. Some of the melodies were borrowed from asian or Thai family or rock candy songs, with the title track based on a Filipino tribe tune. The album did not sell many copies, but Aed set about recruiting other members so that the band could efficaciously perform be. A major breakthrough came with the recruitment of guitarist/vocalist Preecha Chanapai ( Lek ). Lek had a distinctive, mighty Santana-like style, and Aed has said that this gave him more confidence in the band. At the clock time, Lek was playing in a ring called “ The President Band ”, and on the band ‘s 2nd album members of that isthmus backed Aed, Lek and Keo, the latter who had by then switched spinal column to guitar. The bass parts were played by President Band bassist Anupong Prathompatama ( Ot ), who has since gone on to be one of Carabao ‘s longest running members. The resulting album had perceptibly more rock-oriented arrangements as compared to their debut, and besides had a great cope of influence of american roots music styles. Carabao inaugural came into the national spotlight with their third album, Waniphok ( วณิพก – “ The Wandering Minstrel ” ), the title birdcall of which told the narrative of a blind street musician and became a major stumble. The song featured the distinctive “ Samcha ” rhythm, a kind of mix of Northeastern Thai folk rhythm like Mo Lam and Luk Thung with Latin beats. Future Carabao albums would feature many songs done in this style. Aed has noted with pride that before Waniphok was released, discos in Thailand played merely westerly songs, but the attention-getting autochthonal rhythm method of birth control of the birdcall managed to break down those barriers. While no other songs on the album featured songs done in this dash, it featured a firm influence of traditional Thai melodies. Like the moment album, Wanipok featured Aed, Khiao and Lek backed by members of the President Band, including Ot on bass. By their 4th album, they had besides added a permanent drummer, Amnaat Luukjan ( Pao ). At the same time, Aed invited Ot to become the band ‘s official bassist, but since The President Band had plans to go on a US go, he was unavailable. In his put, the ring added Phairat Phoemchalat ( Rat ) on bass. The album besides featured contributions from woodwind actor Thanit Siiklindii ( Ajaan ), a well as backing vocals from Thierry ( Ri ), both of whom would soon become an official members of the ring adenine well. The album continued to feature the folkier phone of their early albums, but besides showcased their growing eclecticism .

stardom [edit ]

Carabao ‘s most popular album, Made In Thailand ( เมดอินไทยแลนด์ ), was released in 1984 and sold over four million copies. [ 5 ] The championship track became a hit in several neighbor countries equally well. The album featured a remarkable diverseness of musical styles, mixing rock, family, regional Thai styles like Luk Thung and Mo Lam, some reggae and Latin beats, and even some classical Thai music with the song “ Refugee. ” By this meter, woodwind player Thanit Siiklindii ( Ajaan ) had become a permanent member of the band, and guitarist/vocalist Thierry Mekwattana had joined arsenic well. meanwhile, Keo ‘s function changed again, becoming a bet on singer and be multi-instrumentalist. Before touring for ‘Made in Thailand, ‘ Rat left and Ot rejoined the band, this time as an official member. The resulting 7 member band, consisting of Aed, Keo, Lek, Ot, Pao, Ajaan and Thierry, is regarded by many fans as their classic batting order. This batting order recorded several more hit albums in the 1980s, resulting in a mighty, eclectic and increasingly political torso of cultivate, with hit songs like “ Welcome to Thailand, ” “ Khon Jon Phuyingyai ” “ Mae Sai ” and “ Thaplang ”. The latter song was written about the larceny of a holy place Thai header, the Phra Narai, that late appeared in an american english museum, and became the subject of Thai protests in order to regain the header. The song ‘s chorus translates as “ Take back Michael Jackson, give us back the Phra Narai ! ” During this period, Carabao consolidated their position as Thailand ‘s most popular melodious group of all meter. In terms of musical style, the band remained extremely eclectic, mixing a wide range of Thai and external styles .

atomization [edit ]

After the “ Thaplang ” album in 1988, the band began to disintegrate, as members left to start alone careers. First to go were Thierry, Ajan, and Pao, who briefly formed a spinoff isthmus. Reduced to 4 members, on their 10th album, Ham Jot Khwai ( “ ห้ามจอดควาย ” ) the dance band returned to playing with backing musicians, this clock time members of the Thai band ‘Tawan. ‘ After recording and touring for the album, Khiao became the next member of the classic lineup to leave, and the band announced a dissolution. however, soon Aed, Lek and Ot were back playing together with some new backing musicians, including Luechai Ngamsom ( Duk ) on keyboards, vocals and cornet and Chuchat Nuduang ( Ko ) on drums. primitively, this band was not called “ Carabao, ” but rather barely ‘Aed, Lek, Ot, ‘ going by the remaining classic lineup members ‘ nicknames. however, Aed was soon persuaded to revive the Carabao name, and the dance band continued with the new lineup. With Keo ( Khiao ) gone, Aed was now technically the band ‘s only original extremity, although Lek and Ot had besides been playing with the band about from the start.

After their 12th album, Satja 10 Prakan, Carabao fans got another traumatize with the deviation of Lek, who was replaced by Kajonsak Hutawatthana ( Mee ) on guitar. Although many of the set ‘s fans were dysphoric with the band ‘s lineup changes, this interpretation of the set released 3 albums in the early-mid 1990s, with a lower degree of commercial success than earlier, but distillery remaining one of Thailand ‘s most dominant bands, and with stumble singles like “ Raeng Koi ” ‘Yai Samang ‘ and “ Luang Phaw Khun ” still getting major airplay on Thailand ‘s radio stations. The new batting order soon added a 6th live penis, percussionalist/backing singer, Sayaaphoon Singthoong ( Nong ), who would late become an official member of the band. During this period of time, the classic batting order of the band occasionally reunited for live shows .

reunion [edit ]

In 1995, the “ classic ” lineup of the band decided to reunite to celebrate the band ‘s fifteenth anniversary. They recorded a double album, Hak Huajai Yang Rak Khwai ( “ หากหัวใจยังรักควาย ” – “ If You even Love Buffaloes ” ), which became the set ‘s biggest hit in years, and re-established them as Thailand ‘s biggest dance band. however, the reunion did not last, and the Aed-Ot-Duk-Mi-Ko-Nong batting order resumed activities, this time with some output help from Keo. For their 18th album, Amerikan Anthaphaan, Lek, Thierry and Keo rejoined the band again. While Keo ‘s reappearance to the band did not last, Lek and Thierry continued as Carabao members. The result was a new lineup that combined 4 members of the “ classic ” band ( Aed, Lek, Thierry and Ot ) with 4 late members ( Duk, Ko, Mee, and Nong ), along with a new recruit, percussionalist/flutist/drummer named Thepajon Phanthuphongthai ( Uan ) .

The 25th anniversary [edit ]

Since then, the dance band has recorded respective more albums, with another recent rush in critical and commercial achiever. They have nowadays released a sum of 28 official studio albums ( Vol. 1 – Vol. 28 / 1981 – 2013 ), with some special albums, numerous bouncy albums and compilations bringing the entire to more than 60. [ 6 ] The lineup has besides remained stable, although percussionalist Nong left the band due to illness after their 25th albums, and by and by died. additionally, classic-era members Keo ( Khiao ) and Ajaan have occasionally appeared on their post-millennium albums and populate shows, though they have not been official members for years .

thirtieth anniversary celebration and beyond [edit ]

In 2011, there were a series of 30th anniversary concerts all around Thailand and beyond, the biggest being “ Velodrome Returns. ” The band played closely 50 songs during this concert, including a twenty-minute medley of 17 sam cha favorites, with time for only one or two verses of each song. ( “ Velodrome Returns. ” 2011. of Carabao 30th Anniversary Concert, DVD. Warner Music. Available at eThaiCD.com. ) A Carabao convention, the Carabao New Year Expo ( 7 Days, 7 Themes ), was held December 21–27, that same class. During the sidereal day, conventionality goers viewed displays of Carabao memorabilia, attended music workshops, sang karaoke, and bought Carabao trade from the vendors. Each evening of the Expo, for seven nights, there was a Carabao concert on a unlike root. ( There are well 500 Carabao songs, not counting Aed Carabao ‘s solo work ). Some ring members said they had to look up and relearn many of the songs on the playlist, as they had never played them outside a studio. Keo, Ajaan, and others from the classic lineup were back for both Expo and the big thirtieth Anniversary concert. ( Carabao New Year Expo ( 7 Days, 7 Themes ), was held December 21–27. available on DVD at eThaiCD.com ) A thirtieth Anniversary album of new songs was released coroneted “ Gamlang Jai ” ( “ Strength of Spirit ” or “ moral Support ” ), with the subject that the fans and the isthmus provide each other lastingness of spirit and moral support. This album besides included a DVD with music video of some songs. ( “ Gamlang Jai ” ( กำลังใจ ). 2011. Carabao 30th Anniversary Album, CD/DVD set. available at eThaiCD.com ) All previous Carabao albums were rereleased for the thirtieth anniversary. Since then, Carabao has released one more album, ‘Sawadii Phrathet Thai ‘ ( Hello Thailand ) and has continued to play live with their long-running 8 man batting order, abetted at times with other classic-era members .

Film, television receiver series, and other developments [edit ]

In 2013 produced a movie “ Young Bao ” ( ‘ Bao being short for “ Carabao ” ) purporting to tell the origins of the band. ( This was actually the second movie to tell this narrative, the first being เสียงเพลงแห่งเสรีภาพ “ Siang Playng Heeng Seripaap ” meaning “ Music of Freedom ” released in 1985, in which the band members played themselves. ) In “ Young Bao, ” most of the actors who played the Carabao band members as youthful people were themselves celebrated musicians. For case, Thierry was played by both his own son Jessie Mekwatanna ( for the adolescent ) and by Hugo ( for the young pornographic ). ( “ Young Bao. ” 2013. Movie. Produced by Grand Big Bang. Available on DVD from eThaiCD.com ) In 2013, the band members were able to fulfill their dream of playing with Santana, one of their biggest musical influences. Whether this did or did not go as hope ( both bands played Santana songs with no discussion advance and Aed was besides starstruck to sing more than a few words ), it did lead to the band ‘s Santana-inspired 28th Official Carabao Album ( 28th in the official series of studio apartment albums, not counting compilations, live albums, and special albums such the collaboration with Parn ). The 28th Carabao album “ Sawadee Prathet Thai ” ( “ Hello Thailand ” ) released November 2013 contains a sung called “ Santana Carabao ” that is a 50/50 blend of the Santana and Carabao signature sounds. ( “ Sawadee Prathet Thai ” ( สวัสดีประเทศไทย ). 2013. Carabao 28th Album. four hundred available at eThaiCD.com. ) A weekly hour-long television show “ Carabao The Series ” ( คาราบาว เดอะซีรี่ส์ ) started up September 2013, and continues to the confront ( March 2014 ), with each sequence based on the lyrics of a unlike Carabao song. Carabao songs are celebrated for their intense themes and story-telling, with some sung subjects, such as the blind street musician of “ Wanipok ” and or the kindhearted soldier “ Bua Loi ” achieving fabulous status. so each sequence of “ Carabao The Series ” takes a different Carabao song and turns it into a 40-minute play. While the drama may deviate from the diagram of the original lyrics, they stick close to the spirit of the birdcall. Three of the band members, Aed, Lek, and Thierry, introduce each drama by concisely discussing the sung for the workweek, followed by the drama itself, then each episode concludes with a cover of the birdcall by a younger band. ( “ Carabao The Series ” ( คาราบาว เดอะซีรี่ส์ ). television receiver show. September 2013- ? )

Read more: David Prowse

In 2014, former ring extremity Nong Carabao died at the old age of 50. He had been with the band between 1995 and 2007, when he left because of illness. ( By Thai custom a dance band member, will much ( informally ) use his set ‘s name as his last name. )

discography [edit ]

Membership timeline [edit ]

References [edit ]

  • Official web site (in Thai only)