Futon (band)
Encyclopedia
Futon is an international band based in Bangkok
, Thailand
.
Gene & Oh are both from Thailand. Bee and Simon are both from England
. Futon was started by Bee and David Coker (also British), who were running the Bangkok nightclub, Rehab. Their sound is guitar-driven electro-punk.
Past members:
Bee played with Getting the Fear
& Into A Circle
and still runs Rehab nights at Bed Supperclub in Bangkok.
Gene perfected his singing skills in temples, tucked away in the hills of Northern Thailand.
Simon Gilbert, who joined in 2005, formerly drummed for English rock band Suede
.
Oh is an artist and soap star on Thai television.
Co-founder member David Coker left Futon in September 2006, shortly followed by Momoko.
Futon's first single, a cover of The Stooges
' I Wanna Be Your Dog
is championed by radio DJ's in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Croatia. Both sides of the single topped the Thai Radio charts.
Their gigs in Asia are riotous affairs, especially the one in Bangkok's trendy shopping district - Siam Square, where at the height of the bird flu outbreak two renegade dancers had a pillow fight and ended up covering the crowd with bird feathers.
Futon's debut album Never Mind The Botox is released in Thailand in November 2003. The initial run of 4,000 - a plastic-encased limited edition - sells quickly.
2004
Radio DJ's like Radio 1's Steve Lamacq
and Zane Lowe
, Xfm
's Lauren Laverne
and Eddie Temple Morris champion Futon on their Shows.
Industrial electronic pioneers Coil
remix their first single 'I Wanna Be Your Dog'
Ace DJ Mark Moore
lists 2 of their singles on his top 10 DJ Chart and still plays their 'Gay Boy' remix at his club nights; Nag Nag Nag invited Futon to play live in September 2004. The band also play at Mark Moore's Electrogogo and supported Client at 'Being Boiled'.
Futon headlines at the ‘Underworld’ in London.
Subsequently they race back to Asia to play scheduled shows in Vietnam
.
Meanwhile back in Bangkok
, they headline at the Fat Festival in November in front of 20,000 people.
Along with artists like Peaches
, Felix da Housecat
and the Velvet Underground Futon appear on the CD Soundtrack to the HBO documentary Thinking XXX
.
2005
Suede
's former drummer Simon Gilbert joins Futon full time.
Futon supports Avril Lavigne and plays at the MTV ASIA AID after show party in Bangkok.
Futon's music video for 'Tokyo Sunset' is nominated for a Channel V Award. They also presented an award at the Event.
Futon play live dates in Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin, Paris & London
Their 2nd album Love Bites along with the music video for the single 'Rich, Baby' are released in Thailand.
Futon are hailed as MTV Thailand's Artist Alert of the month for July.
A compilation album Give Me More! is released in Japan on Avex Trax
.
2006
Futon are chosen by Tiger Beer to front the Tiger 'Translate' tour under the banner of ‘taking the best of Asia to the world’.
Shows follow in Shanghai, Dublin, Singapore and Bangkok.
Futon are one of the first unsigned bands to be featured in the UK’s Observer Music Monthly magazine.
Videos for 'Rich, Baby' and 'That Look in your Eye' are on high rotation on MTV Thailand and high rotation in the USA on IMF and MTV Chi.
The band went into the studio in July 2006 to record their third album, being produced by Tim Simenon
( Bomb the Bass
, Depeche Mode
, Massive Attack
, Björk
).
Futon play a series of shows in Paris, displaying their new streamlined four-piece lineup (sans Momoko).
First single from the new album titled 'ฝัน' is released to coincide with their performance at the Fat Festival in Bangkok. Exclusive to Thailand, initial release was at the festival November 11/12 and general release was November 13. This single was also available for download from the band's website with a bonus live recording. B-sides were 'Dead Tape' (also from the forthcoming album) and 'U Mean Nothing To Me' (Japanese Version).
2007
The band play 3 shows in London Jan 4th, 11th and 18th.
Futon play Singapore March 17.
The second single 'Strap It On' is released in the UK (7" single) and the band's website April 2. A free music video is available if you purchase from the store at xfuton.com
Futon play on the rooftop of the Lad Prao MRT
station May 26.
The band headlines the annual Fête de la Musique
at National Stadium on June 23.
Third album Pain Killer is released with two shows at Bangkok's Club Culture on August 11.
A new sexier music video for 'Strap It On' is produced.
Futon completes a tour of Japan.
Other music videos have also been produced and will be rotated in the near future.
Futon headline the annual Fat Festival on November 10 (due onstage at 9pm).
Futon were a supporting act for Linkin Park
on November 11.
Futon disbanded in 2008 -
Some of the members formed the band GOO (band) - http://www.goo22.com/
, NME
)
, Observer Music Monthly)
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
.
Gene & Oh are both from Thailand. Bee and Simon are both from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Futon was started by Bee and David Coker (also British), who were running the Bangkok nightclub, Rehab. Their sound is guitar-driven electro-punk.
Members
Current members:- Bee Futon (real name Paul Hampshire) - Voice/Synthesizer/Guitar
- Simon Futon (real name Simon Gilbert) - Drums (2005–)
- Oh Futon (real name Hathairat Charoenchaichana) - Bass (2005–)
Past members:
- David Futon (real name David Coker) - Voice/Guitar/Computer
- Momoko Futon (real name Momoko Ueda) - Voice/Keyboard
- Gene Futon (real name Kasidit Samniang) - Voice
Bee played with Getting the Fear
Getting the Fear
Getting the Fear were an English gothic rock musical ensemble of the 1980s. Its members were Barry , Buzz , Aki Nawaz , and Bee...
& Into A Circle
Into a Circle
Into A Circle were an English New Wave/Goth duo, formed in April 1985 by Bee and Barry , two former members of Getting the Fear.-Career:...
and still runs Rehab nights at Bed Supperclub in Bangkok.
Gene perfected his singing skills in temples, tucked away in the hills of Northern Thailand.
Simon Gilbert, who joined in 2005, formerly drummed for English rock band Suede
Suede (band)
Suede are an English alternative rock band from London, formed in 1989. The group's most prominent early line-up featured singer Brett Anderson, guitarist Bernard Butler, bass player Mat Osman and drummer Simon Gilbert. By 1992, Suede were hailed as "The Best New Band in Britain", and attracted...
.
Oh is an artist and soap star on Thai television.
Co-founder member David Coker left Futon in September 2006, shortly followed by Momoko.
History
2003Futon's first single, a cover of The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
' I Wanna Be Your Dog
I Wanna Be Your Dog
"I Wanna Be Your Dog" is a 1969 song by the American rock band The Stooges. The song is featured on their self-titled debut album. Its memorable riff, composed of only three chords , is played continuously throughout the song...
is championed by radio DJ's in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Croatia. Both sides of the single topped the Thai Radio charts.
Their gigs in Asia are riotous affairs, especially the one in Bangkok's trendy shopping district - Siam Square, where at the height of the bird flu outbreak two renegade dancers had a pillow fight and ended up covering the crowd with bird feathers.
Futon's debut album Never Mind The Botox is released in Thailand in November 2003. The initial run of 4,000 - a plastic-encased limited edition - sells quickly.
2004
Radio DJ's like Radio 1's Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
and Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
, Xfm
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
's Lauren Laverne
Lauren Laverne
Lauren Cecilia Fisher , known professionally as Lauren Laverne, is an English radio DJ, television presenter, author and singer...
and Eddie Temple Morris champion Futon on their Shows.
Industrial electronic pioneers Coil
Coil (band)
Coil were an English cross-genre, experimental music group formed in 1982 by John Balance—later credited as "Jhonn Balance"—and his partner Peter Christopherson, aka "Sleazy". The duo worked together on a series of releases before Balance chose the name Coil, which he claimed to be...
remix their first single 'I Wanna Be Your Dog'
Ace DJ Mark Moore
Mark Moore
Mark Moore is a British dance music record producer and DJ. He was founder of the pop/sampling pioneers S'Express, and runs the London nightclubs, 'Electrogogo' and 'Can Can'.-Biography:...
lists 2 of their singles on his top 10 DJ Chart and still plays their 'Gay Boy' remix at his club nights; Nag Nag Nag invited Futon to play live in September 2004. The band also play at Mark Moore's Electrogogo and supported Client at 'Being Boiled'.
Futon headlines at the ‘Underworld’ in London.
Subsequently they race back to Asia to play scheduled shows in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
.
Meanwhile back in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, they headline at the Fat Festival in November in front of 20,000 people.
Along with artists like Peaches
Peaches (musician)
Merrill Beth Nisker , better known by her stage name Peaches, is a Canadian electronic musician and performance artist who lives in Berlin, Germany. Her songs are noted for disregarding traditional gender norms and their use of sexually explicit lyrics...
, Felix da Housecat
Felix da Housecat
Felix da Housecat is an American DJ and record producer, mostly known for house music and electroclash. His name was inspired by Felix the Cat....
and the Velvet Underground Futon appear on the CD Soundtrack to the HBO documentary Thinking XXX
Thinking XXX
Thinking XXX is a 2004 television documentary about the process photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders went through to create his book XXX: 30 Porn Star Portraits...
.
2005
Suede
Suede (band)
Suede are an English alternative rock band from London, formed in 1989. The group's most prominent early line-up featured singer Brett Anderson, guitarist Bernard Butler, bass player Mat Osman and drummer Simon Gilbert. By 1992, Suede were hailed as "The Best New Band in Britain", and attracted...
's former drummer Simon Gilbert joins Futon full time.
Futon supports Avril Lavigne and plays at the MTV ASIA AID after show party in Bangkok.
Futon's music video for 'Tokyo Sunset' is nominated for a Channel V Award. They also presented an award at the Event.
Futon play live dates in Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin, Paris & London
Their 2nd album Love Bites along with the music video for the single 'Rich, Baby' are released in Thailand.
Futon are hailed as MTV Thailand's Artist Alert of the month for July.
A compilation album Give Me More! is released in Japan on Avex Trax
Avex Trax
, listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan...
.
2006
Futon are chosen by Tiger Beer to front the Tiger 'Translate' tour under the banner of ‘taking the best of Asia to the world’.
Shows follow in Shanghai, Dublin, Singapore and Bangkok.
Futon are one of the first unsigned bands to be featured in the UK’s Observer Music Monthly magazine.
Videos for 'Rich, Baby' and 'That Look in your Eye' are on high rotation on MTV Thailand and high rotation in the USA on IMF and MTV Chi.
The band went into the studio in July 2006 to record their third album, being produced by Tim Simenon
Tim Simenon
Tim Simenon is a musician, composer, record producer, and label boss, most famous for his work as Bomb the Bass.-Debut:Tim Simenon's music career began aproper in the mid 1980s, DJing at London's Wag Club...
( Bomb the Bass
Bomb the Bass
Bomb the Bass is the umbrella title for the output of British musician and producer, Tim Simenon. The band, which has evolved its style over the years, has been classed as electronic or dance....
, Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
, Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
, Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
).
Futon play a series of shows in Paris, displaying their new streamlined four-piece lineup (sans Momoko).
First single from the new album titled 'ฝัน' is released to coincide with their performance at the Fat Festival in Bangkok. Exclusive to Thailand, initial release was at the festival November 11/12 and general release was November 13. This single was also available for download from the band's website with a bonus live recording. B-sides were 'Dead Tape' (also from the forthcoming album) and 'U Mean Nothing To Me' (Japanese Version).
2007
The band play 3 shows in London Jan 4th, 11th and 18th.
Futon play Singapore March 17.
The second single 'Strap It On' is released in the UK (7" single) and the band's website April 2. A free music video is available if you purchase from the store at xfuton.com
Futon play on the rooftop of the Lad Prao MRT
Bangkok Metro
The MRT , sometimes referred to as the Bangkok Metro, is Bangkok's underground metro system in Thailand. It was constructed under a concession concept...
station May 26.
The band headlines the annual Fête de la Musique
Fête de la Musique
The Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, is a music festival taking place on June 21.-History:The idea was first broached in 1976 by American musician Joel Cohen, then employed by the national French radio station France Musique. Cohen proposed an all-night music celebration at the...
at National Stadium on June 23.
Third album Pain Killer is released with two shows at Bangkok's Club Culture on August 11.
A new sexier music video for 'Strap It On' is produced.
Futon completes a tour of Japan.
Other music videos have also been produced and will be rotated in the near future.
Futon headline the annual Fat Festival on November 10 (due onstage at 9pm).
Futon were a supporting act for Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
on November 11.
Futon disbanded in 2008 -
Some of the members formed the band GOO (band) - http://www.goo22.com/
Albums
- 2003 - Never Mind The Botox (Rehab)
- 2005 - Love Bites (Rehab)
- 2005 - Give Me More! (AvexAvex Trax, listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan...
) - 2007 - Pain Killer (Rehab, Kuchibiru)
EPs & Singles
- 2004 - I Wanna Be Your Dog EP (Rehab)
- 2005 - Rich, Baby EP (Rehab)
- 2006 - ฝัน EP (Rehab)
- 2007 - Strap It On (dirte)
Quotes
“...like ice cream: nice" (Lauren Laverne
Lauren Laverne
Lauren Cecilia Fisher , known professionally as Lauren Laverne, is an English radio DJ, television presenter, author and singer...
, NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
)
dirty punk underwear under electro trousers: a world class act(Simon Napier-Bell
Simon Napier-Bell
Simon Napier-Bell has undertaken many jobs in the music industry, including bandboy, manager, producer, songwriter, journalist and author and gourmet...
, Observer Music Monthly)
a head-on car crash between Asian and European pop culture"(MTV Trax)"
"There is not much difference between a futon and the music of part-Thai, part-English electro outfit Futon - both are made for mind-blowing sweaty one-night-stands."(Kenneth Yu, Lost At E Minor)
" Futon are Good and Sexy !’’
(Russell BrandRussell BrandRussell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and radio/television presenter.Brand achieved mainstream fame in the UK in 2004 for his role as host of Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother's Big Mouth. His first major film role was in the 2007 film St Trinians...
UK DJ, BBC radio 2)."