Cold comfort

So Cool stay hot

By Tatat Bunnag

Hailing from northern Thailand, pop rockers So Cool have made a name for themselves with hits like "Khon Jiam Tua (Humble Man)," "Liang Song (Farewell)" and "Khon Kham Kham (Funny Guy)." The band recently bounced back from a two year hiatus with a new singer and their sixth album, So Cold.

For their new album, So Cool - 25-year-old singer and guitarist Kornpob Chancharoen (Joke), 21-year-old drummer Pupin Chancharoen (March), 27-year-old guitarist Prachnand Thongsook (Jan), 21-year-old bassist Nawaspon Thongsook (James) and 23-year-old singer Thatthep Prasong (Golf) - have stuck to their winning formula of easy- listening pop rock with straightforward lyrics.

With their latest single "Hatepol Tee Mai Yak Pen Puen Ther (The Reason Why I Don't Want to Be Your Friend)" currently climbing the charts, Student Weekly recently caught up with So Cool at GMM Grammy HQ for a chat about their new album.

Student Weekly: Does the title of your new album have any special meaning?

Joke: We always like to use titles that are simple and easy to remember. Our previous albums had had titles like So Hot, Soda and So Hits, so now it's time for So Cold!

Student Weekly: What have you guys been doing over the past two years?

Joke: We've mainly been working on our new album. In the past, we usually released a new album every year. This is the first time we spent two years making an album and our working process was different from before. We worked with a lot of different producers and songwriters this time.

Student Weekly: What are some of the special features of So Cold?

Golf: It has the same elements that we usually have, but the sound production is much better.

Joke: We were helped by many special guests. Jo Pancake wrote the song "Sia Khong [Wasted]" for us, and Sek Loso played lead guitar on "Lom [Wind]." We also worked with Canadian producer Scott Moffat.

Student Weekly: Is there much difference between working with Thai and International producers?

Joke: Apart from a few communication problems, the main difference working with an international producer was that the rules about recording were more strict. Thai producers tend to be more easy-going.

Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your new hit single, "The Reason Why I Don't Want to Be Your Friend"?

Joke: It's a classic signature So Cool song. We've often tried to experiment with different styles of songwriting, but this song is simple and catchy like our old music. Younger listeners should love this song.

Golf: The song is about falling in love with your friend. We provide plenty of good reasons to be more than just friends!

Student Weekly: What will be your next single?

Golf: A song called "Borg Chan Wa Ngao Laew Kao Mai Wa Lor? [Would He Mind if You Told Me You Were Lonely?]." It's about loving somebody who is with somebody else. It's quite a sad song. Scott Moffat helped arrange it and he did really good job.

Student Weekly: Joke, since you were already So Cool's lead singer, why did you invite Golf to join on vocals?

Joke: I'd known Golf for a long time and I knew he was a good singer. I introduced him to Grammy, thinking that he could release album with the label. After that, he joined us onstage many times. We always had great time together, so we invited him to join the band.

Golf: It only took me two seconds to say yes when they asked me to join! [Laughs.]Student Weekly: You guys have always cited Sek Loso as your idol and main influence. What do you like about him?

Joke: His group used to be the biggest rock band in Thailand. Their 1998 album Entertainment is a classic. I used to only listen to pop, but Sek made me fall in love with rock 'n' roll!