Ebola (band)

Ebola
Origin Bangkok, Thailand
Genres Rock
Hard rock
Alternative rock
Post-hardcore
Metalcore
Alternative metal
Nu metal
Years active 1996 - Present
Labels Warner Music Thailand (2002-2008, 2011 - Present)
GMM GRAMMY ( 2009 - 2011 )
Members Kittisak Buaphan (Aey) – lead vocals
Wannit Puntarikapa (Golf) – lead guitar
Surapong Buaphan (Ao) – rhythm guitar
Chaowalit Prasongsin (A) – bass guitar
Pongpan Peonimit (Pan) – drums

Ebola (อีโบล่า) is a Thai rock band from Bangkok, Thailand, currently signed to Warner Music. The band is known for combining lyrics with hard rock-oriented tunes. Most of Ebola's lyrics focus on hope, encouragement, and soul-searching. The band’s hit singles include "Saeng Sawang" (แสงสว่าง - Enlighten),"Klab Su Jud Reum Ton" (กลับสู่จุดเริ่มต้น - Back to Beginning) and "Sing Tee Chan Pen" (สิ่งที่ฉันเป็น - As I Am). In 2005, Ebola’s fourth studio album, Enlighten, won Best Rock Album from Hamburger magazine and Best Producer from the Seed Awards.[1]

Biography

Ebola was formed in 1996 by a young rock quintet while they were studying at Dhonburi Rajabhat University. They spent years performing under the name Ebola, mainly as an underground band. With their energetic live performances, they gained more popularity among the underground audiences. Ebola released three records (one EP and two studio albums) under independent labels, including E.P 97 (Demo - 1997), In My Hate (1999) and Satisfy (2001).

Ebola released their first live album, Ebola Live, under the distribution of Warner Music Thailand in 2002. Later that year, they also released their Live to Play VCD. The album contained live performances, footage and interviews with the band.

Ebola gained wider attention when they released Pole, their third studio album in 2004. The singles off the album include "Kwam Pen Pai" (ความเป็นไป), "Jam" (จำ - Remember) and "Nai Kwam Pen Khon"(ในความเป็นคน - In Humanhood) With their accumulated reputation, Ebola had the opportunity to perform as the opening act for Linkin Park and Slipknot during their 2004 tours in Thailand. Especially at Linkin Park Live In Bangkok, Ebola performed several of their hits in front of an audience of 30,000 people, marking a big breakthrough for the band.[2]

After the success of Pole, Ebola did not keep their fans waiting long. Enlighten was released in August 2005. The album contained chart-topping hits including "Saeng Sawang" (แสงสว่าง - Enlighten), "Klab Su Jud Reum Ton" (กลับสู่จุดเริ่มต้น - Back to Beginning) and "Sing Tee Chan Pen" (สิ่งที่ฉันเป็น - As I Am).[3] Ebola won Best Producer (with their long-time producer, Warut Rintranukul) at the 2005 Seed Awards,[1] and also earned the Best Rock Album from Hamburger magazine.

March 25, 2006 was marked as Ebola’s 10th year anniversary in the music scene. To celebrate their first ten years, the band held Survivor Concert, gathering their longtime hardcore fans. The concert took place at Thunder Dome, Muang Thong Thani.[4][5]

In April 2007, Ebola received more mainstream national attention when their ballad hit from Enlighten – "Sing Tee Chan Pen" (สิ่งที่ฉันเป็น - As I Am) was selected to be a theme song of Me ... Myself.[6] The film starred Ananda Everingham and Chayanan Manomaisantibhap, being produced and directed by Pongpat Wachirabunjong. Both the movie and the theme song became smash hits.[7][8]

The Way was their fifth album with lead single "Wi Tee Thang" (วิถีทาง - The Way). The highly anticipated album was released in August 2007. In this album, Ebola had decided to bring new elements like classical music [in "Wi Tee Thang" (วิถีทาง - The Way) and "Kaan Jak La" (การจากลา - Farewell)] and piano [in "Dao Duang Sud Tai" (ดาวดวงสุดท้าย - The Last Shooting Star)] into their rock and metal influences. Ebola was nominated in Producer of the Year, Rock Album of the Year, Rock Artist of the Year categories in Seed Awards 2007 but didn't win.[9][10]

In 2009, it was revealed that Ebola had signed a new contract with GMM Grammy.

In terms of international collaborations, the band had opportunity to work with Philippine’s leading rock band – Rivermaya in "Thang Leuk" (ทางเลือก - The Choice). Also, The Way was mastered by Dave Collins, a world-class mastering engineer who mastered top-charted albums such as Linkin Park's Minutes To Midnight, Sum 41's All Killer No Filler, Madonna's Selection From Evita, No Doubt's No Doubt and The Police's Outlandos d’Amour.

In 2010, Ebola released their sixth studio album, titled 5:59. The album contained singles such as "Aow Hai Tai" (เอาให้ตาย - To The Death) and "Wan Tee Mai Mee Jing" (วันที่ไม่มีจริง - The Day That Doesn't Exist).

In 2011, Ebola and another band, Sweet Mullet, played as Opening Act for Linkin Park Live in Bangkok A Thousand Suns World Tour 2011.[11][12]

In 2013, Ebola's seventh studio album, Still Alive (EP: 2013) is released with Warner Music.[2]

Band members

Discography

Live albums

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Seed Awards 2005 Results". Siamzone. 2006-02-02. Retrieved 2014-10-18.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Report from Press Release of Ebola's 7th Album (in Thai)". Music Express. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. ↑ "Ebola : ENLIGHTEN Common Hardcore (in Thai)". Manager Online. 2005-08-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  4. ↑ "Ebola Survivor Concert (in Thai)". Thai Ticket Major. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  5. ↑ "Music Survivor's Mission with Ebola Survivor Concert (in Thai)". Siamzone. 2006-03-28. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  6. ↑ "Sing Tee Chan Pen Love Song from Ebola (in Thai)". Ban Muang Newspaper. 2007-04-17. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  7. ↑ "Indian Judge Gaves Scores to Pongphat's for Best Director (in Thai)". Ban Muang Newspaper. 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  8. ↑ "Kho Hai Rak Jong Ja Roean (2007)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  9. ↑ "Seed 97.5FM Announced Seed Awards #3 (in Thai)". 2008-03-26. Retrieved 2014-10-18.
  10. ↑ "Seed Awards 2007 Results (in Thai)". Siamzone. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2014-10-18.
  11. ↑ "Linkin Park Live in Bangkok 2011 (in Thai)". Music Express. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  12. ↑ "Linkin Park Show in The Rain (in Thai)". bangkokbiznews.com. 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2014-10-17.

External links