Trigger happy

Indie frontman writes songs and shoots videos

By Tatat Bunnag
Photos by Varuth Hiranyatheb
and Triggs & the Longest Day

The band Triggs & the Longest Day may be new to SW readers, but each of the four members of the band are busy in the local art and indie music scenes.

The band is led by music video director Tokin Teekanun (Tum), the man behind the music festivals Stone Free and Keep on the Grass. The idea of forming a band came around two years ago when Tum was on tour with bands from Panda Records, and decided he’d form a band just for fun. He invited his friends ¬— Summer Dress member Sanpawit Soikham (Nat), Sticky Rice’s Nopphon Cheng (Nui) and former Redtwenty member Panmanus Nakata (Pong) — to join.

After a number of shows the band released an impressive 4-track EP, Talking About It. The CD is soaked in distorted guitars and fast rhythms, and is a flawless set of catchy alternative rock tunes.

Triggs & the Longest Day have just released the single “Sometime, Somewhere,” which will be included on their upcoming debut album. Student Weekly caught up with the quartet to get the low-down on the band and their music.

Student Weekly: What does your band name mean?

Tum: One day we were trying to find a name for the band and flipped through some music magazines to find some cool words. We got the word Triggs from a fanzine, and The Longest Day is the name of a 1962 war film.

Nat: There’s no specific meaning. It’s just words that we liked and put together.

Student Weekly: How has the band’s line-up changed?

Tum: Our original guitarist was Yong from the band Chladni Chandi. We played some shows with him in 2013. When we got more shows and it started to affect the schedule of his other band. He decided to leave after a few months.

Nui: We looked for a repalacement and talked to a few different guitarists, but finally ended up with Pong.

Student Weekly: Tum, as a film director, art curator and festival organiser, why did you decide to play music too?

Tum: I’m not really a musician and I can barely play any instruments. But when I was hanging out with musician friends and going on tour with them, I saw them having a good time playing music and it really inspired me. Some of the bands only play two chords for each song, so maybe being in a band isn’t as hard as I thought. I could do it too!

Student Weekly: Each member plays in different groups. Are those bands influenced by Triggs & the Longest Day?

Nat: Not at all. I’m a guitarist with Summer Dress, but I play drums for this band. Everything is different.

Pong: We’ve never planned what kind of music we want to do with this band. Most songs come from Tum’s acoustic demos, and we just jam together in the studio. Everything comes together very organically.

Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your new single, “Sometime, Somewhere”?

Tum: It’s a love song. It’s one of the very first songs I wrote for this band.

Nui: It’s a simple, catchy pop rock tune. There are only three chords in the song. We finished arranging it so quickly, because it’s very easy to play. Except for my bass part which is very tricky. [Laughs.]

Student Weekly: When can we expect your album?

Tum: It should be ready in a couple of months. There’ll be an album release party, and we’ll post more details soon on our Facebook page.

Student Weekly: Can you describe your live performance for those who’ve never seen it?

Pong: It’s fun and full of energy for party-loving people. Our performance can be crazy sometimes, but I guarantee that there won’t be any violence at our shows, only friendly vibes.

 

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