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He's petite, he's slightly androgynous and he's a punk rock star. It's hard to imagine that this Vivienne Westwood-clad, spinal-tattoed member of Futon was once in a boy band that was "Big in Japan."
BangkokRecorder sat down with Bee Futon to confabulate about their upcoming album, knowing your Spice Girls and calling the Duran Duran frontman a wanker...  Rehab Record's manager, Chloe and Futon guitarist, David have fled to Ibiza to raise babies and revel in domestic bliss, how have you managed to pull together a new album with Futon dispersed across two continents? When have you had the time to rehearse?
We have been rehearsing constantly for the last week with Pam from Apartment KhunPa. Pam will now be playing live at all Futon's shows. He also played on our forthcoming album Pain Killer, which will be out at the end of the year, preceded by a single in November for the Thai market.
How different is the new album to Love Bites and other Futon releases?
The new album Pain Killer is very different to anything we have done before - it's the first time the band went into a studio and the first time we worked with a producer. Tim Simenon, from Bomb the Bass, spent a month in Bangkok with us in the studio. He's produced people like Depeche Mode, Bjork, Neneh Cherry and David Bowie. Compared to our previous work Pain Killer is a lot darker.
Tell us about the birth of Futon. How did you meet David, Momo and Gene?
Futon was born in Rehab at Bed Supperclub. David and I were running the club and both of us wanted to make some music to play in the club so we decided to make some ourselves. But we wanted someone else to sing so I suggested Gene or Momo. We auditioned them in Red Twenty's Studio. The only problem was that they were both amazing and so right for the band that we couldn't decide which one to offer the job... so we asked them both! We also released the session as our first single.  How has the group dynamic changed with the addition of Simon the drummer from Suede and Oh the hot guitarist?
Tremendously! We had to ditch the backing tracks on the computer and learn to play guitar - but actually it turned out to be the best move we ever made!... Now, we are not shit, just crap!
Who writes the music and lyrics?
We all chip in really. Even Simon wrote a song on the new album - his first ever! It really rocks as well!
How did you first get into radio in Thailand? Why did you stop?
I stumbled into and spent eight years doing it! It was before the internet so, at that time, getting to hear music that wasn't in the charts like Aphex Twin, Roni Size, Coil, was impossible for a lot of Thai kids. So, my role was to give them access to it.
Nowadays, they can do it themselves on the internet, so there's no need for a show like that.
You've also met and interviewed a lot of famous people for the show, who was the most interesting and why?
Sporty Spice in a phone interview was weird because I actually thought I was speaking to Baby Spice and didn't realise until I got off the phone and a listener called in and told me I got the wrong Spice girl. Richey Manic was weird 'cos he disappeared soon after. The worst was Duran Duran. I actually called Simon La Bon a 'wanker' on the show the next day.
 Tell us about Panache? What was it like being in a young, famous boy band that was "Big in Japan?"
Panche was very bizzarre. At the time I was like 17 and had just moved to London. Before you could say ''Pink Lipstick'' we were made up like little dolls and getting front covers and sacks of fan mail from Japan. That was before we even released a record, which shows how important the music was! Anyway, we got "Big in Japan," but also got ripped off and didn't get any money so I walked.
What about your other bands, Into a Circle and Getting the Fear? Has there been a musical progression or more of a meandering around the same genres?
Lyrically, Futon often reminds me of Into a Circle, but the music is very different.
What are your thoughts on any cutting-edge Thai music scene? Which bands are hot and which are not?
Actually, I don't think that there's any cutting-edge in music at the moment, which isn't to say that I don't love a lot of music that's being made here or elsewhere. I just feel that at the moment the global scene is not really breaking any boundaries but merely merging genres and decades. But the punk/ optimist in me strongly believes that when we least expect it a cutting edge will rip the throat out of the mainstream!
How do you feel about music piracy? Do you download music yourself?
Yeah, I do. I do lots of things that are wrong. Don't copy me kids! (I mean that both ways!)
What's your favourite film, and why?
Harold & Maude. It makes me laugh and cry at the same time.
We hear your bandmate Gene is starting a Guilty Pleasures-inspired night called "Whatever." What's your guilty pleasure?
I am totally honest about liking crap music like Madonna and Beyonce. The only music I detest is soft rock!
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