●PAIN KILLER　●KUCHIBIRU RECORDS (for Japan)　●2300yen (Japan)

FUTON official website→　www.xfuton.com　
FUTON on myspace→　www.myspace.com/ilovefuton
FUTON blog (Japanese)→　www.ameblo.jp/futon-blog/

FUTON is now indisputably the hottest - and coolest - electro rock band in Asia. FUTON's newest and much-anticipated album was two years in the making. Christened PAIN KILLER, this fresh release contains brand new tunes in addition to a remix of "Gayboy" from their last album, and special analog recordings done with Chicks on Speed and THE LOWBROWS.

FUTON was formed in Bangkok in 2003, and the band's members bring into their work a mix of Thai and UK cultures. Their debut single, "I Wanna Be Your Dog" introduced Thai and Japanese lyrics into what was originally a classic hit by The Stooges. This edgy electro remix topped Bangkok's music charts and sparked a wildfire of interest worldwide.
　

Suede of course was a tremendous influence in the rise of the 90's British pop movement, and when asked about how he then found his way into the Bangkok band Simon told us, "I went to Bangkok in 1994 with Suede, and literally I was in love with this city after half an hour. I always promised myself that as soon as Suede split up, I would live here. And literally one week after Suede split, I was here!(laughs)"

Shortly after his arrival, Simon was hanging out at an electro club where he heard FUTON play. He was riveted by the music, immediately hit it off with the band, and, as fate would have it, it wasn't long before he joined. Though two of its founding members are gone, the band has an undeniable chemistry charged by the strength of each member's individuality, as can be seen in the unconventional looks and performance of vocalist Gene, and the radiant cutie-appeal of the band's sole female member - singer, actress, illustrator and model OH.

PAIN KILLER is, as far as the band is concerned, their first full album. Simon explains, "We had released albums before but up till now everything was really experimental. This is the first time that the music was ready. This is our favorite!" Most of the tracks were recorded in Bangkok, but some were in fact done in London and Amsterdam. Also, the album was produced by Tim Simenon (BOMB THE BASS), the production master known for his work with Depeche Mode, Bjork, and Massive Attack, among others.

Tokyo Wrestling met with FUTON for an interview at the Club Asia event Thunder, which hosted their first performance in Tokyo. A few days later TW also appeared to see Bee and Gene execute some artful DJ riffs, independent of the band, at SOFT's Juliana in Shibuya. On the stage at Thunder, the band deftly strayed from their strong electro-roots and accentuated rock as a central influence in their performance. Bee and Gene's duo DJ action a few days later at Juliana refreshingly meted out an electro-performance, much like what the CD delivers. Rarely does a group's warm-hearted and friendly nature rate just as highly as its true musical talent and experience. But the truly charming FUTON is such a band. Ardent Japanophiles, FUTON makes it a point to return to Japan whenever they can - and TW has no doubt that after their stint this time around, they've once again won over even more Tokyo fans.