exposed

Mongkhon "Malaipet" Wiwasuk

Only days away before an important match to reclaim his WBC International Superwelterweight title, Malaipet seemed plenty relax. I met up with him on Friday July 17 to catch his last 4 days of training at the Muay Thai Academy in North Hollywood. I was excited to start my extended documentary project with him. I heard of his remarkable reputation from various friends. None the least of him being the only Thai fighter competing in the MMA scene right now. An Intercontinental Muaythai Champion with boxing record of 168 fights, with 136 wins, 27 losses, and 38 KO’s, MMA record of 6 fights with 3 wins and 3 losses, I was more than curious on what this guy is made of.

In contrast to the ‘fighter’ mean, dark, and gruesome image in the mainstream media as perpetuated by such fight leagues as the  UFC, I already found many fighters I’ve met to be very personable, if not sweet. But above and beyond my expectations, Malaipet tripped me out entirely to an extreme degree. Much of this had to do a lot with my understanding of the various Thai cultural nuances. “The country boy” means a whole lot different in Thai than in the US. The class distinction undertone runs strong. He and his crowd often mocks the darker color of his skin, and the country boy face. It’s a way to humor one’s way out of social ’sub standard’. I wanted to learn as much as I can about him, so I spent some time at the end of his training each day talking about whatever that came to mind.

Malaipet, or Mongkhon Wiwasuk in official name, is a son of a boxer. His father had 7 children, 6 of which were boys. They all were boxers, including his sister. He told me proudly – always with a smile. The smile though, tipped off something else – a sense of acceptance, the way it is. He has an additional 2 half brothers, one of which is a 20 year old training along side him.

Malaipet, or “Teay” as the other Thais call him, turned pro at 8, much like most of Thai boxer stories. He was touring around the country fighting matches until 15 when a boxing camp swooped him up. I think he said he was ‘bought’? I assumed this to be the case rather of an investment of a camp seeing a potential, as opposed to something oppressive. Because of it, he was given the chance to fulfill the life of a Muay Thai boxer and rose his way to the nation’s championship status, which later brought him to the US to pursue international/intercontinental titles.

After watching him for 4 days, his massive kicks and shrieks still ring in my ears. The match he’s immediately facing in a Muay Thai super event in Las Vegas this coming Saturday July 25. He will be facing Richard Fenwick from the UK. It’s a rematch to regain his WBC championship title. I have a feeling he’s going to win purely basing it on his carefree attitude of getting the job done on his way to a much anticipated the Contender tournament held next month in Malaysia. He was looking forward to party after the fight, karaoke party…..  I asked his brother, in his presence, what would you do if he loses? The brother chuckled, and said, “we’ll just cut one of his nuts off.”

So – I’ll be heading out to Las Vegas in a couple of days – and see what happens next.

part of the warmup

various tactical trainings

punching exercises

in between rounds

running just outside the gym

part of conditioning routine

in between sets

elbow exercise

quad work on tire

Zu’s Bassist Massimo

In a limited way of words, how is it possible for me express the level of my anticipation in seeing this show? When Nels told me he’s friends with this Italian band Zu, their long reputation for being extremely supportive in the music community, as well as being these hard working super guys, I was even more all over this. I was up in the Bay Area for a 10 day hang with Nels, and his trio, the Singers for their recording… many of favorite people/friends in one place, Devin, Scott, Breskin, and Saint, doing what each of them do best. This show was thrown into the mix of one of The Things to be attended.

Once again Nels was extremely generous with his impossible schedule. Even when he needed all the possible time to write, rehearse, and practice for the recording session just a few days away, he still made the time to take me to this show. He knew I would like the music, this “Roman metal/math/no-wave/free noise/punk/jazz trio”. (Well, he did want to see his friends, too.)  Little did we know the kind of near-red carpet reception from the Great American Music Hall would later make this evening such a… trip. If only I was a drunkard, I would have abused the loads of free drink tickets given to us. I instead stuck with my known limit of the outrageous number of 3 beers, that is, when I’m shooting. Otherwise, I could have as much as 5? These days, anything in excess just makes me sleepy.

Never in excess, actually, is the amount of music I can compile on lately. As I drift along, attaching myself to different sources of music branches of personalities, I’ve learned to live on it.

The opening band cancelled (who and why, I’ll never know…) DJ Belladonna of the local radio station KFJC stepped in and played some insanely awesome stuff. Her selections of the evening was on the tip of industrial experimental low level ground covering…. mmmm…… undertone beats and drones. One after another was just freaking me out. I had to run and get her information. One band I got her to write down for me was C.O.T.A. , and their song “Children of the Apocalypse”. I still can’t find it. This music gave me all kinds of ideas for my future projects.

The band promptly started at 10 p.m. The audience was of mixed age, loosely packed yet excited. This type of crowd I still haven’t gotten the right impression of… They are a combination of too cool and too enthusiastic. I wondered if I was also one.  But my enthusiastic was well reasonable. There I was about to meet my new set of amazingly talented, visionary friends. The too cool part, I’m still trying to shred, but I can’t help it sometimes knowing that it took me years to feel like I belong somewhere – No, scratch that, more like, it took me all my life to be comfortable enough to accept that people don’t hate me by default…. Ah, too personal. Back to the jolly night that it became….

Immediately I was drawn to Massimo, the bassist. His smile was sincere and welcoming. Soon after, I got the good nature sense of Luca’s, the baritone player. I eve dropped on Nels and Patton’s conversation a bit over their discussion of gear boxes. That was amusing. I’ve met Patton a couple of times before, the last being from the Moonchild gig over a year ago, also in this same GMH place. He was polite. I didn’t get to talk to him at all after a friendly introduction, only got to watch him wrapping up his gadgets. I also didn’t get to talk to Jacopo, the drummer. The rest of the short after show evening was funny and pleasant. Nels was in a great mood, maybe the quality of their tequilas were acceptable? I threatened to go to Mexico City with the band, as I could see them for being my newest potential favorite (I did not miss my chance to diss Nels’s trio as old news to me, now that I’ve secured the Silent Fourth Member slot. Nels was so sweet as to recommend that I’m not much trouble to have along.)

And the night was concluded in such a super weird ideal way. We didn’t even have any problems finding a street parking near the venue. I want to make a point to see them again, Europe or where ever.

Zu's Drummer Jacopo

Luca, Nels, and Jacopo after show

Massimo and Luca

Patton and Jacopo

Trevor Dunn Trio :
Phillip Greenlief – saxophone
Trevor Dunn – bass
Kjell Nordeson – drums

Nels Cline Quintet :
Nels Cline – guitar
Trevor Dunn – bass
Scott Amendola – drums
John Dietrich – guitar
Ben Goldberg – clarinet

Kjell Nordeson

Phillip Greenlief

Trevor Dunn

Scott Amendola

Trevor Dunn

Scott Amendola

Nels Cline

John Dietrich

Trevor Dunn

Nels Cline

Scott Amendola

Scott Amendola with Greg Saunier

Ben Goldberg and Trevor Dunn

Ben Goldberg and Trevor Dunn

Los Punkinhedz :
Money Mark on keyboards
John Wicks on drums
Mike Watt on bass
Raymond Pettibon Guest vocal

guitars at the studio

Mike Watt runs over some songs

Money Mark

John Wicks

Mike Watt

Raymond Pettibon

John Wicks

Money Mark

Mike Watt

Mike Watt and Money Mark in studio

Raymond Pettibon in studio

session engineer

Money Mark

Mike Watt, Money Mark, and my couchsurfer Abbéy Odunlami

John Wicks, Mike Watt, and Money Mark

Raymond Pettibon, Mike Watt, and Money Mark - LA River

couchsurfer Hanna Rosendahl

Out of all couchsurfers I’ve hosted, I think I miss having Hanna around the most. Nothing bad about all the boys that’s came through here but this girl is much tougher than anyone. A librarian by trade, a boxer by hobby, she carries my favorite quality – a super woman gene. That is – the nurturer of all strengths, inclusive of femininity, along were intelligence, wit, sarcasm, humor, fighting spirit.

I sent couchsurfer Ulrik to pick Hanna up from Koreantown where she was sitting bored. She was couchsurfing with some college students who had no time to hang with her. I got a series of messages from her looking for actions. I already had several couchsurfers at my place, but figured what the heck could it hurt to add one more. Besides, seeing her interest in boxing, I wanted to get to know this girl.

During the time of her stay,  I was only doing mostly fight classes (took a break from music attendance). Like a shadow, she went with me to both of my 2 camps, the Krav Maga training center, and Wildcard Boxing Club. We sparred a little in one of the boxing classes. She was a righteous partner. I got to introduce her to some of my favorite instructors and classes.

It was also interesting to join a debate with Hanna. Luckily I was on her side and occasionally high-fiving at times. One such memorable moment was a ‘discussion’ we had with fellow couchsurfer Abbéy. It was a formidable topic of men vs. women and the view of dating / relationship. That was fun. It nearly went off edge many times, a disaster near miss. The result was yielded no alteration of anyone opinions. Just more awareness of each other’s level of stubbornness… and traces of any awkward humor.

Schopenhauer: “Argument is not so much for those who want to learn as for those who want to dispute”.

It felt as if she was my little sister. There were times I had to throw my hands up and let her run the show. All I could do was to accommodate, which I did gladly. I doubt if I would ever go visit her in Gothenburg, Sweden – but I would love to run around with her again. She’s pure fire.

Hanna Rosendahl at Wildcard Boxing Club

Hanna Rosendahl with the (in)famous Freddie Roach

Hanna Rosendahl in a ground fighting class at Krav Maga Training Center

Hanna Rosendahl

couchsurfer Adam Schutzman

I answered a post in a forum offering Adam a place to park his car as he hopped off of his around the US road trip to Hawaii for a few weeks. Needing a place to stay over night before his flight he lucked out and ended up staying with me. The house was already full of couchsurfers that weekend. Every floor space and blankets were all taken and distributed.  Luckily for him, one of the couchsurfers bailed to be somewhere else for the night. He then took up that 5th spot. Mind you this house is tiny. But Adam was very sweet, super easy to get along with, and down to have any kinds of conversations.

Not until the next morning we discovered that we had a mutual friend, Nels Cline! Nels, the guitarist most prominence from my blog here, and one of my dearest of all friends, has been doing music for a very long time. Adam knew Nels for over 10 years having gone to all Nels’s gigs in Portland, Maine since he was in high school. Luckily Nels was in town – so I made a point for us all to grab some dinner together. When I first told Nels about Adam, he thought that was incredibly wild. Adam, Nels recalled, was at all his shows back when he was still playing for an audience of a few. This – was a main indicator of what I like about Adam the most, his music taste. He had with him vinyls he collected over the trip, and a little portable record player. 

We haven’t been in touch so much, but I’m sure I’ll run into him again.