Futon (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Futon

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Img_capt = Simon, Gene, Oh, Bee (front, left to right)
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Bangkok, Thailand
Genre = Electronic, Rock, Punk
Years_active = 2004 – Present
Label = Rehab Records
Associated_acts = Getting the Fear Into A Circle Suede
URL = [http://www.xfuton.com/ XFuton.com]
Current_members = Kasidit Samniang Paul Hampshire Simon Gilbert Hathairat Charoenchaichana
Past_members = David Coker Momoko Ueda

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.

Members

Current members:
* Gene Futon (real name Kasidit Samniang) - Voice
* 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

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 [http://odecdec.com/oh+/index.html artist] and soap star on Thai television.
Co-founder member David Coker left Futon in September 2006, shortly followed by Momoko.

History

2003

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 13th. 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 2nd. 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 [http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jwrg0j83bto 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.

Discography

Albums

* 2003 - "Never Mind The Botox" (Rehab)
* 2005 - "Love Bites" (Rehab)
* 2005 - "Give Me More!" (Avex)
* 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)

External links

* [http://www.xfuton.com/ Official Band Website]
*MySpace-music|ilovefuton|Futon

Quotes

“...like ice cream: nice

" (Lauren Laverne,NME)

dirty punk underwear under electro trousers: a world class act

(Simon Napier-Bell, 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."

( [http://www.lostateminor.com/2007/01/12/futon/ Kenneth Yu] , Lost At E Minor)

" Futon are Good and Sexy !’’ (Russell Brand UK DJ, BBC radio 2)."