Beyond doubt

Cut the Crab grab the spotlight

By Tatat Bunnag
Photos courtesy of Cut the Crab and Box Records.

If you’ve heard the dance-pop single “Mai Mee Kam Tob (Without Doubt)” on the radio, you may have thought that it was a classic forgotten pop single from the ‘90s. In fact, it’s the work of local band Cut the Crab, who have been developing their own innovations in the field of catchy, synth-based pop.

In less than two years, the Bangkok-based trio — Thitnun Swasdikula (Tom), Nattakorn Kravichien (Tao) and Nopawat Likitwong (Pun) — have created a buzz with their noise-laden electronic pop tunes. The group has also been playing a slew of crowd-pleasing live shows at bars like Thonglor’s Bad Motel, and at well-known local festivals such as Noise Market and Stone Free.

Following on from their 2012 hit “Feel My Eyes,” Cut the Crab recently released their new single, “Without Doubt.” The new track sees the group shift to a brighter electro-pop sound, with a guest female singer on lead vocals.

Student Weekly recently caught up with Cut the Crab to bring you the low-down on the up-and-coming electro pop stars.

Student Weekly: How did you come up with the name Cut the Crab?

Tom: At first it was just a DJ name that I started using around 2010. I thought of the name when I went to a club and the dance music there was mostly boring. I’d had enough, so I went home and started making the kind of music that I wanted to hear.

Student Weekly: How did the band members meet?

Pun: Tom and Tao were originally in a band called Noah’s Tape. They got kicked out of that band, so they decided to form a new band together. [Laughs.] I joined them after frequently meeting them at gigs. We all shared the same taste in music, and we were obsessed with electronic gear and musical equipment.

Student Weekly: How would you classify your music?

Pun: Our sound is based on synthesisers and electronic music, but it’s inspired by all kinds of music from the 1980s and ‘90s. We don’t talk much about our musical direction or sound. We just jam and experiment a lot.

Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your groovy new single, “Without Doubt”?

Tom: I wanted to make the song as catchy and groovy as possible. I thought that if it made me want to move when I heard it, then other people would feel the same way.

Pun: It was one of the first songs that we made together. It sounds very accessible, but it was quite difficult to record. Instead of just using a computer, we played synthesisers and real instruments to record the song.

Student Weekly: Who is the guest female singer on the track?

Tao: It’s a secret! [Laughs.] We can’t reveal her name just yet. We have a few secret guest singers that have worked with us on our future singles.

Student Weekly: Who are some of your favourite artists and influences?

Tom: Michael Jackson, Daft Punk, James Blake and Jamiroquai.

Tao: I like Tame Impala, Grizzly Bear and Chvrches.

Pun: Depeche Mode, The Cure, Metallica, Gun N’ Roses, Radiohead and Postal Service.

Student Weekly: What can people expect at a Cut the Crab live show?

Tom: Our live shows are raw.

Tao: Yeah, raw like sushi!

Pun: You can’t really predict what’s going to happen at a Cut the Crab gig. Just come and have some fun!

 

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