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Gig of the Week
Oct. 8th. 2003
Five Star
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I've
been hearing quite a lot about a local band playing every night in Soi
Cowboy. Yep, Soi Cowboy. As this is not an area that you would normally
associate with quality live music, the only option was to go and investigate
thoroughly, and I am of course referring to the music. Aside from the
fact that it's been forever since I was in that particular soi, Five Star,
as the venue is known, is not at all difficult to locate. The bar is at
the Asoke end of Cowboy and looks like most of the other places in the
area form the outside. There is a well stocked bar on your left as you
enter, with a stage for dancing immediately afterward and a stage at the
far end. This is not a big place, but the layout is that there is actually
plenty of room to move around unless the place is totally packed. Along
the right wall is a sofa type seating arrangement that runs nearly the
whole length of the place. Wooden tables set on steel legs hold your drinks
and ashtrays. There are some black lights and a few colored spots on the
ceiling with most of the attention focused on the two stages. A bevy of
girls take their turn dancing and from what I saw are well accustomed
to working with a live band as opposed to the normal fare of recorded
music.
The band is called Black Dog, and have a surprisingly good sound. The drums are DW, which translates into very expensive, and the bass player comes out of two big woofers placed on the floor of the stage. The two guitarists/vocalists use Marshall and Peavey combos for their sound and both amps are located right at the front of the stage for easy adjustment as the evening goes on. The volume was a bit on the high side, but conversation is not the main point here anyway. Both guitarists play Fender Strats and do a damn fine job of it too. The sound is more rock than pop and the selection of songs compliments the sound. They did an outstanding version of Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile" immediately followed by the classic "Hey Joe". Both were done in fine style with an extended solo bit on Voodoo Chile showcasing some of the lead guitarist's playing style. Some Van Halen followed and anybody who has ever listened to Eddie will know that it is not easy. They carried it off well with a guest singer who turned out to be one of the owners as well. Apparently after 1.00am guests are welcome to come up and jam. On this night I was lucky, all those who went on stage knew what they were doing, which is unfortunately not always the case in these situations. In particular, a drummer from the States named Scott was shining on this night. With an unusual but very catchy playing style, he brought the rest of the band up another level. A very mellow version of the Pink Floyd number "Wish You Were Here" was followed by an intense rendition of "You Really Got Me" from The Kinks. The volume was getting a little louder in the process; due mainly to the fact the Scott on drums was playing aggressively. Several customers went up to the stage requesting songs while depositing a healthy sum in the tip box. That of course helps to make sure you get what you ask for if the band knows it. And they did in every case. By this time Five Star was filling up. Most of the people who looked in stayed when they saw the live band and based on that I believe the concept is successful. Ok, I will agree the girls presence helped too, but a live band playing in a go-go bar is still a novel approach. Looking around it seemed that many of those present were regulars, and according to the band a lot of people show up regularly and play after 1.00am. Another fellow went up and did some old rock form the 70's and 80's including a couple of Deep Purple numbers. Interesting! The service at Five Star is attentive and fast, and the all important beers were cold. The rest of the staff are not pushy and once it becomes clear that a customer is more interested in the band, they leave you alone. Not everyone is there for the music of course, and Five Star still is a go-go bar in Soi Cowboy. Scott the drummer got back on stage and some more Hendrix followed, including a very well done version of "Red House". A fellow went up and asked very loudly for some heavy metal and a scorching version of "Paranoid" followed. I must confess I was starting to get into it, the band is good and very tight, not surprising though, as they are playing here seven nights a week. I ordered another beer and asked for the bill, which incidentally is a pretty reasonable at 90 baht a bottle. The band played another number, the lead guitarist broke a string and that was it. They quit promptly at 2.00am. As it turns out, the rumors were right. If you want to listen to some good rock music, done by a band of unpretentious guys who are into what they're doing, I can certainly recommend Black Dog at the Five Star. |
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