next member gene kasidit
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Gene Kasidit understands the thick and thin of Bangkok nightlife better than anyone, having long established himself as one of its famously fabulous fixtures. The Thai singer/clubnight promoter just released his new solo album, titled “Affairs,” his first release since the break-up of legendary electroclash group Futon.
Gene’s debut album, released last month, is full of energetic beats that encompass most of his favorite genres, from electro rock and drums’n’bass to haunting pop and disco.
“In ‘Affairs’ I basically tried to capture the sounds that I love listening to and never get bored of,” says Gene. “Lyrically it's very personal and has got so many hidden layers to discover. In short, ‘Affairs' is about the love hate relationship with myself, love, sex, lust, friendship and the little things that keep me (in)sane and move on.”
Gene started out as a drum’n’bass enthusiast who eventually found himself fronting Futon, a Bangkok band born out of local expat DJ Bee’s infamous clubnight “Rehab” at Bed Supperclub. Futon first made its mark with a cover of “I Wanna Be Your Dog” eight years ago. The band’s aesthetics, daredevil attitudes and head-turning fashion quickly propelled them onto indie music laurels, where they rested comfortably when they weren’t traveling the world.
Said Simon Napier-Bell in an article in the UK's Observer Music Magazine published in 2006: "For many years I've thought, given the right trigger, Thailand's capital could become another Munich. It's the perfect place for a world-class recording studio to pump out dance songs; the perfect place for a world-class dance group to emerge. And suddenly, a year ago, there it was: Futon.
"More contemporary than Scissor Sisters, more punk too, but with pop overtones. It had social intensity -- the ring of the early Seventies, when all those over-amphetamised groups like the Banshees, the Slits andthe Sex Pistolswere coming out of London."
Indeed Gene became a ready-made icon thanks to his powerful vocals, shamanistic performances and non-conformist lifestyle. But after three albums, he found himself stifled with boredom by the familiarity and decided to bid farewell to Futon and start anew in 2008.
Since then Gene has found a new sanctuary in Thai label smallroom, home of Slur, Tattoo Colour and The Richman Toy, among many others, where he and the producers slowly began to carve out a fresh soundscape. The first single from his debut solo album, “Life Goes On” (see below video) has topped Fat Radio’s charts for many weeks. His live sets now consists of members from other indie darlings Slur, Goose and Desktop Error. |
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