Carabao - Asia's best band?

jerojero · March 22, 2015

Carabao has been around 30 years and gods in Thailand. Mastered their art in the Philippines and renowned, are they best in Asia given their tenure? Opinions welcome, especially from those who have seen them live.

Edited March 22, 2015 by jerojero

rgs2001uk · March 22, 2015

Too be honest i dont know any Thais who like them, it seems to be mainly farangs who like them.

My brother in law used to be a big fan back in the day, a few years ago he threw all his collection in the bin in disgust, for reasons I wont go into on here.

As for seeing them live, any time I have seen them live it always descends into groups of Thai motorcycle thug teens fighting each other.

jerojero · March 22, 2015

Too be honest i dont know any Thais who like them, it seems to be mainly farangs who like them.

My brother in law used to be a big fan back in the day, a few years ago he threw all his collection in the bin in disgust, for reasons I wont go into on here.

As for seeing them live, any time I have seen them live it always descends into groups of Thai motorcycle thug teens fighting each other.

thanks for comments, I caught them in concert few years ago and packed with screaming Thai's and a few farang. Was surprised how wild the crowd was! Edited March 22, 2015 by jerojero

DiamondKing · March 22, 2015

Too be honest i dont know any Thais who like them, it seems to be mainly farangs who like them.

My brother in law used to be a big fan back in the day, a few years ago he threw all his collection in the bin in disgust, for reasons I wont go into on here.

As for seeing them live, any time I have seen them live it always descends into groups of Thai motorcycle thug teens fighting each other.

Your talking through your Butt, I have seen them many times and it is LITERALLY JAMMED WITH THAIS thousands of them, when they annouce they are playing many times you cant get tickets because its sold out so what you are saying really does not hold weight.

Additionally NOT ONCE have I ever seen a fight at the concerts I know there was one a while back but to imply that it happens at every concert is again BS

As for them being the best band in Asia that is a stretch for sure they are a great Thai band but far from the best in Asia.

As for your Brother in Law its not that he does not like their Music because obviously HE DOES but his choice was political to throw the albums out.

Edited March 22, 2015 by DiamondKing

KhaoNiaw · March 22, 2015

I've seen them loads of times. That stuff about fighting being a feature of Carabao concerts is rubbish. Just something that that comes from years ago and still repeated by people who haven't been to concerts. Also, if you go to any temple fair style concert, the local kids start fighting whatever band are on. Carabao are still popular and sell out when they do their special concerts.

I've seen them good and terrible, especially when Ad is the worse for wear. Generally, they're just going through the motions these days but were very good when they had a point and made some great albums. So, back in the day, they were one of Asia's best bands and they have a special place in Thai music history but their time is long gone.

MaeJoMTB · March 22, 2015

Well out of date, like most of the posters on this forum.

A bit like posting is Eric Clapton the greatest rocker ever?

Chonburiram · March 22, 2015

Banork Farangs like to brag that they have Aed's mobile number and he would come with his gang to safe them, anytime.

I know a lorry driver, who nearly could knock him off his Harley. He still laments that he did miss him.

Actually, Aed is a neighbour of me, I can tell you, he isn't liked in the community. He only shows up once a year, so, not really a problem.

Rooo · March 22, 2015

Moved to Entertainment Forum.

sketcher · March 22, 2015

I wonder how many of the farang fans would like them if they understood the lyrics.

rgs2001uk · March 22, 2015

I've seen them loads of times. That stuff about fighting being a feature of Carabao concerts is rubbish. Just something that that comes from years ago and still repeated by people who haven't been to concerts. Also, if you go to any temple fair style concert, the local kids start fighting whatever band are on. Carabao are still popular and sell out when they do their special concerts.

I've seen them good and terrible, especially when Ad is the worse for wear. Generally, they're just going through the motions these days but were very good when they had a point and made some great albums. So, back in the day, they were one of Asia's best bands and they have a special place in Thai music history but their time is long gone.

That stuff about fighting being a feature of Carabao concerts is rubbish. Just something that that comes from years ago and still repeated by people who haven't been to concerts.

Of course how correct you are, the following is probably just an illusion.

Guy who wrote this account is probably talking rubbish as well is he?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/230517-carabao-concert-in-buriram-17-12-2008/

KhaoNiaw · March 22, 2015

I've seen them loads of times. That stuff about fighting being a feature of Carabao concerts is rubbish. Just something that that comes from years ago and still repeated by people who haven't been to concerts. Also, if you go to any temple fair style concert, the local kids start fighting whatever band are on. Carabao are still popular and sell out when they do their special concerts.

I've seen them good and terrible, especially when Ad is the worse for wear. Generally, they're just going through the motions these days but were very good when they had a point and made some great albums. So, back in the day, they were one of Asia's best bands and they have a special place in Thai music history but their time is long gone.

That stuff about fighting being a feature of Carabao concerts is rubbish. Just something that that comes from years ago and still repeated by people who haven't been to concerts.

Of course how correct you are, the following is probably just an illusion.

Guy who wrote this account is probably talking rubbish as well is he?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/230517-carabao-concert-in-buriram-17-12-2008/

It's not rubbish but it's not because it's a Carabao concert, It's because it's a local temple fair concert, which is pretty clear from the link you've given, and which I already mentioned is enough reason for kids to fight. It's just the same with the Mo-Lam concerts.

Have you ever been to one of the big Carabao anniversary concerts etc. How many fights were there? Haven't you ever been to concerts by any other bands where there were fights? The worst fighting I've seen was at a big music festival where everybody had been drinking all day and Carabao came on about 11 at night. I've probably been to about 50 Carabao concerts where I didn't see a single fight. But I didn't make videos of all the non-fights.

Edited March 22, 2015 by KhaoNiaw

Stan42 · March 22, 2015

When I think of a Thai band I automatically think of Carabao. Mandatory music vid:

Neeranam · March 22, 2015

SAw them first on Sanam Luang in 1992 when the plac was surrounded by tanks.

Saw them more recently at Tawang Daeng in Khon Kaen. Got the VIP sofa because of knowing someone and got to meet the band.

I like them, especially the classic lung kee mao. Any Thai with a guitar has tried to play this.

Neeranam · March 22, 2015

I wonder how many of the farang fans would like them if they understood the lyrics.

1 here, why?

tullynagardy · March 22, 2015

Too be honest i dont know any Thais who like them, it seems to be mainly farangs who like them.

I saw them in London in 2012 in front of a full house of 3000+ people, 99% of which were Thai. I can`t think of another Thai act that could draw that crowd in London. More conclusively, they are also the best selling Thai act of all time but an absolute mile, with success right across Asia.

The comment above reeks of a "I`m more Thai than the Thais" sentiment, designed to give the "in the know" look but gives quite the opposite.

The key to their sucess is they appeal to such a wide demographic. At the gig we went to in London there was 8 year olds and also 80 year olds. I compare that to another gig in London we went to, to see da Endorphin, where the audience was entirely made up of hiso students in their teens.

tullynagardy · March 22, 2015

Dug out a couple of photos from that London gig.

craigt3365 · March 23, 2015

I've seen them many times and have loved their show every time. They are fantastic. The Thais love them and if you go to their concerts, you'll see the same group there time after time. We've actually gotten to know a few! LOL

I've never seen a fight, but have only gone to ones where you have to pay a fair amount to get in. Keeps the punters out.

Definitely not the best band in Asia, but it's like asking if Santana is the best band in the US. Probably not, but definitely one of the all time best.

keemapoot · March 23, 2015

^Craig, that is a good comparison, Santana. In my view, Carabao is sort of the equivalent of some of the most perennial touring or even jam bands in the US, Santana, Grateful Dead (minus the drug culture), or maybe even Jimmy Buffett.

I've been in large Thai clubs when the band breaks out into a cover of Carabao, and the every single person in the club stands, sways, smiles along to the music.

Neeranam · March 23, 2015

Carabao really are a Thai institution - a band who have stood for Thai citizens rights, democracy and anti-corruption. Some of the older following didn't like it when they got "commercial".

Aed is the only member to have remained in the band throughout their career.

ขุนโจรสลัดมันปล้นเรา
kŭn john sà-làt man bplôn rao
Pirates rob us
แล้วยัดเรามาเรือสินค้า
láew yát rao maa reua sĭn káa
and devour us coming with merchant ships
นับเนื่องแต่วันนั้นมา
náp nêuang dtàe wan nán maa
And because of that day arriving
ก็เหมือนตกอยู่นรกอเวจี
gôr mĕuan dtòk yòo ná-rók a-way-jee
it’s like falling into hell
แต่สองมือข้ายังเข้มแข็ง
dtàe sŏng meu kâa yang kaem-kăeng
But [this] slave’s two hands are still strong
ด้วยเรี่ยวแรงจากพระผู้เป็นเจ้า
dûay rîeow raeng jàak prá pôo bpen jâo
with strength from god
ที่ให้เรากำเนิดเป็นชนเผ่า
têe hâi rao gam-nèrt bpen chon pào
who had us born to be a tribe/race/clan
เป็นพืชพันธุ์แห่งความมีชัย
bpen pêut pan hàeng kwaam mee chai
to be the seedlings of victory

แล้วทำไมไม่ช่วยกันร้องเพลง
láew tam-mai mâi chûay gan róng playng
So why not help us sing this song
เพลงเพื่ออิสรภาพ
playng pêua ìt-sà-rà-pâap
A song for freedom
เมื่อก่อนนั้นเราก็เคยได้ยิน
mêua gòn nán rao gôr koie dâai yin
[that] back then we used to hear
เพลงแห่งการปลดปล่อย
playng hàeng gaan bplòt bplòi
A song of liberation
เพลงแห่งการปลดปล่อย
playng hàeng gaan bplòt bplòi
A song of liberation

โซ่ตรวนมัดตรึงข่มขืน
sôh dtruan mát dtreung kòm kĕun
The fetters bind and rape*
มิทานทนฝืนดวงใจเปี่ยมหวัง
mí taan ton fĕun duang jai bpìam wăng
An assault against the heart full of hope
เหือดน้ำตาก่อกำเนิดขุมพลัง
hèuat nám dtaa gòr gam-nèrt kŭm pá-lang
Dry the tears and generate strength
ที่โถมถั่ง พังกำแพงแห่งเวลา
têe tŏhm tàng pang gam-paeng hàeng way-laa
to rush and collapse the walls of time

ก็แล้วไยทนดูนิ่งเฉย
gôr láew yai ton doo nîng chŏie
So why [do you] tolerate [things], watching silently
เนิ่นนานก็ยังคงหลับใหล
nêrn naan gôr yang kong làp-lăi
So long, and you just remain sleeping
ลุกขึ้นมาเถอะ มาร้องเพลงปลุกใจ
lúk kêun maa tùh maa róng playng bplùk jai
Get up! And sing this stirring song
ไปแต่งเติม จุดหมายปลายทาง
bpai dtàeng dterm jùt măai bplaai taang
Go progress towards your purpose/destination

(เรา)มาช่วยกันร้องเพลง
(rao) maa chûay gan róng playng
So help me sing this song
เพลงเพื่ออิสรภาพ
playng pêua ìt-sà-rà-pâap
This song for freedom
เมื่อก่อนนั้นเราก็เคยได้ยิน
mêua gòn nán rao gôr koie dâai yin
[Which] back then we used to hear
เพลงแห่งการปลดปล่อย
playng hàeng gaan bplòt bplòi
A song of liberation
เพลงแห่งการปลดปล่อย
playng hàeng gaan bplòt bplòi
A song of liberation
เพลงแห่งการปลดปล่อย
playng hàeng gaan bplòt bplòi
A song of liberation

โซ่ตรวนมัดตรึงข่มขืน
sôh dtruan mát dtreung kòm kĕun
The fetters bind and rape
มิทานทนฝืนดวงใจเปี่ยมหวัง
mí taan ton fĕun duang jai bpìam wăng
An assault against the heart full of hope
เหือดน้ำตาก่อกำเนิดขุมพลัง
hèuat nám dtaa gòr gam-nèrt kŭm pá-lang
Dry [your tears] and generate strength
ที่โถมที่ถั่ง ทุบพังกำแพงแห่งเวลา
têe tŏhm têe tàng túp pang gam-paeng hàeng way-laa
to rush, pound, and collapse the walls of time
ก็แล้วไยทนดูนิ่งเฉย
gôr láew yai ton doo nîng chŏie
And so why do you tolerate [things], watching silently
เนิ่นนานก็ยังคงหลับใหล
nêrn naan gôr yang kong làp-lăi
For so long [you] just remain sleeping
ลุกขึ้นมาเถอะ มาร้องเพลงปลุกใจ
lúk kêun maa tùh maa róng playng bplùk jai
Get up! And sing this stirring song
ไปแต่งเติม จุดหมายปลายทาง
bpai dtàeng dterm jùt măai bplaai taang
Go progress towards your purpose/destination

(เรา) มาช่วยกันร้องเพลง
(rao) maa chûay gan róng playng
So help me sing this song
เพลงเพื่ออิสรภาพ
playng pêua ìt-sà-rà-pâap
This song for freedom
เมื่อก่อนนั้นเราก็เคยได้ยิน
mêua gòn nán rao gôr koie dâai yin
[Which] back then, we used to hear
เพลงแห่งการปลดปล่อย
playng hàeng gaan bplòt bplòi
[this] song of liberation
เมื่อก่อนนั้นเราก็เคยได้ยิน
mêua gòn nán rao gôr koie dâai yin
Back then, we used to hear
เพลงแห่งการปลดปล่อย
playng hàeng gaan bplòt bplòi
[this] song of liberation
เมื่อก่อนนั้นเราก็เคยได้ยิน
mêua gòn nán rao gôr koie dâai yin
Back then, we used to hear
เพลงแห่งการปลดปล่อย
playng hàeng gaan bplòt bplòi
[this] song of liberation
เพลงแห่งการปลดแอก
playng hàeng gaan bplòt àek
This song of removing the yoke
เพลงเพื่อการปลดแอก
playng hàeng gaan bplòt àek
This song of removing the yoke

DM07 · March 23, 2015

The best? Hell no!

siam2007 · March 23, 2015

Best Band in Asia --->>> Balinese Punk Rock legends SUPERMAN IS DEAD (who even dare to fight against new hardcore islamist laws in their home country)

Been around for decades too.

Looking forward to have a cold BINTANG with them again at the Punk Rock Club they run in Kuta's Poppie's Lane 2 next week ;-)

Suradit69 · March 23, 2015

Too be honest i dont know any Thais who like them, it seems to be mainly farangs who like them.

My brother in law used to be a big fan back in the day, a few years ago he threw all his collection in the bin in disgust, for reasons I wont go into on here.

As for seeing them live, any time I have seen them live it always descends into groups of Thai motorcycle thug teens fighting each other.

"Too be honest i dont know any Thais who like them, it seems to be mainly farangs who like them."

To be honest I know a number of Thais who do like them, though younger Thais probably consider them not to be young & modern enough.

I don't know if they qualify for being best in Asia since that covers a lot of territory, both in terms of geography and style, but I have a lot of their stuff on CDs and loaded onto iTunes and never tire of listening to them (and if I play anything of theirs, any Thais around seem to be able to sing along fully aware of the lyrics as far as I can tell).

Lot of Thai people packed in to see them

Edited March 23, 2015 by Suradit69

sgtsabai · March 23, 2015

I've been to see them several times in Udon. I always heard of the danger from fights, I never saw a fight. The first thing said when they take the stage is they quit immediately if a fight breaks out, and they will. Yes there have been fights, probably still are, but I don't believe at the concert itself. Folks in Nong Khai say watch out for the motorcycle gangs outside and later. A great band, and yes this farang understands some of the lyrics. My wife understands my sentiment towards the people and freedom, she will interpret as best she can. Are there anti-US government/big business lyrics, ya betcha', and rightly so. You can start with "Made in Thailand". Nothing about the people of the US. I was warmly greeted by the warm up band at one concert when we got there early. Maybe not the best in Asia, lot of territory to cover there, but certainly one of if not the best in modern history in Thailand.

SoiBiker · March 23, 2015

What's with the badly translated Bob Marley lyrics?

CMBob · March 23, 2015

For whatever reason, there historically has been a fair number of fights at some Thai music concerts, especially at morlams; however, that's changed in the last few years and generally now you'll find a load of cops cruising around the morlam stages just waiting for some idiot to start something. While I'm sure fights have broken out at venues that Carabao has played, it's not the norm and they sure as hell didn't cause the problem (the problem, like lots of other places, is the usual formula: idiot + alcohol = instant a...hole).

The band Carabao probably has been one of the most popular bands in Thailand from about 1990 to about 2008.....and probably have had more fans than any band ever has had in Thailand. The poster who said he doesn't know any Thais who like Carabao obviously doesn't know very many Thais.

Soutpeel · March 23, 2015

What's with the badly translated Bob Marley lyrics?

funny you mention that SB, Redemption Song popped straight into my head when I read those lyrics

timmyp · March 23, 2015

I've seen them a couple of times, and never saw a fight.

It's great to go to shows like that where everyone is such a dedicated fan.

The songwriting is great (at least what I can get from the lyrics).

I took a month long class on Thai music last year, and we looked at Mo Lam, Luk Thung, and Phleeng Chitwit. Most of the Phleeng Chiwit tunes were Carabao. I really enjoyed the class. I wish I could understand the lyrics better.

Carabao has a pedal steel player who encouraged me to get a pedal steel. I am still struggling to learn it... but it was Carabao that made me decide to pick one up!

asdecas · March 23, 2015

Well out of date, like most of the posters on this forum.

A bit like posting is Eric Clapton the greatest rocker ever?

Couldn't agree more. Bill Haley was clearly superior.

ToddinChonburi · March 23, 2015

I saw them in Bang Saen during Bike week, very good and crowd was mellow.

northernphil · March 23, 2015

The local Thais down my pub like Bodyslam. If you have never heard of them give it a try.

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