Pop-funk band Street Funk Rollers rose to prominence in Bangkok’s independent music scene in the late 90s with hits like “Ngai Dai” and “Wassana Noi Noi” before suddenly fading from view four years ago. BK speaks with frontman Atthaphong “Oat” Boonsermsap about the band’s reunion which sees them make their on-stage comeback this weekend at an Outside-In live event at Cosmic Café on May 25.

What have you been doing since your fourth album IV in 2008?
We never stopped playing music, we just didn’t play together or in public much. I started my own music school, where I’m a guitar teacher, and as a Christian I’m now a pastor of a church. Bass player Na works for a beverage company and drummer Kei is also a music teacher and plays with a few bands around town.

How did the band’s reformation come about? We hear you are going to team up with Love Is Records.
A few months ago we played a little pub gig with all the original members, which really caught the attention of our fans. Then Cosmic Café asked if we wanted to perform a proper live concert for the first time in four years. We haven’t had serious talks with Kun Boy [the owner of Love Is Records] but we have plans to join forces for an album.

Has the band’s style changed at all?
Well, I’d say nothing major. But we’re all grown up now and have been through a lot of stuff, which is reflected in the way we now play our songs with a little more maturity. It’s always been our intention to write songs that would never go out of style anyway. We don’t want to be seen as a flash in the pan.

What do you think of today’s indie music scene?
Today everybody is indie, even bands on big labels, which never would have happened before. I think nowadays this term is used only to refer to bands who write their own songs. The catch is that indie has lost some of its identity and is more just a mainstream trend now. On the plus side, thanks to online social networking, musicians have more ways to share their ideas, so aren’t as reliant on record companies as they once were.

How do you define indie music?
It must come from inside you and it must be real. I think of music like any other form of art: to inspire people it must come from real-life experiences and really address your audience front on.

What has been your best moment as an artist?
When we just started the band, we did a lot of great shows at various universities and colleges. It was the age of innocence and I really miss feeling that way.

What’s next?
Earlier this month we released our new single “Tor hai krai mai rak,” and our fans love it. We’ll probably continue down this track: launch a couple more new songs and play some concerts, then see what happens. You’ll just have to stay tuned. Proudpisut Sang-ou-thai

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