Sano-san dives into audience at Noise Market 2.
A nuclear reaction and a half - Guru, Sin Tonic
There's another tsunami of sound passing through Bangkok this Saturday night at Fatty's Bar & Diner. Yes, it's the long-awaited LowFat CD release party. Recently, I interviewed the legendary yet modest LowFat screamer, Sano. Enjoy.
Can you tell us a little history of LowFat When did you form? Who were previous members?
The band started in 2006. Before that, I was in a grindcore band called Failure Trace. But in the end, I was growing tired of blast beats so I left to form a new band. I tried to cut blast beats out of the new band and to include guitar riffs that have more melody. That's why I pulled inspiration from traditional Japanese nursery rhymes as a reference.
That was the beginning of LowFat.
Vocal: SANO
Guitar: Aoo > Na > Art > Yusuke
Bass: Tum > Trust > Chin > Takaya
Drums: Nut > Jess > Toppy
LowFat is famous for the live performances! How do you feel when you perform live?
There are not many people listening hardcore in Thailand. Therefore there are few people who invite my band to play their show. In addition, I’m getting old, too. So I do not know how long I can continue music of this style. I always think, "this live may be the last" and stand in the stage. And I do a performance with all my effort.
What do you think is the message of LowFat music?
I can easily say, I want this world to be livable.
Can you tell us a little history of LowFat When did you form? Who were previous members?
The band started in 2006. Before that, I was in a grindcore band called Failure Trace. But in the end, I was growing tired of blast beats so I left to form a new band. I tried to cut blast beats out of the new band and to include guitar riffs that have more melody. That's why I pulled inspiration from traditional Japanese nursery rhymes as a reference.
That was the beginning of LowFat.
Vocal: SANO
Guitar: Aoo > Na > Art > Yusuke
Bass: Tum > Trust > Chin > Takaya
Drums: Nut > Jess > Toppy
LowFat is famous for the live performances! How do you feel when you perform live?
There are not many people listening hardcore in Thailand. Therefore there are few people who invite my band to play their show. In addition, I’m getting old, too. So I do not know how long I can continue music of this style. I always think, "this live may be the last" and stand in the stage. And I do a performance with all my effort.
What do you think is the message of LowFat music?
I can easily say, I want this world to be livable.
LowFat in one sentence= holy shit!! One of the most explosive and ball shattering bands I've ever seen. - Alex, music connosieur
One of the very first documented instances of crowdsurfing at Fatty's.
How do you write the music for LowFat?
At first each member brings a model of the song to the rehearsal studio. Then we give opinions and complete music. I write most of the lyrics. But sometimes, Yusuke brings idea of the song with lyric.
How long have you lived in Thailand? How has the music community changed in all that time?
I have lived here during 15 years.
I think big groups separated into a lot of small groups. Therefore the bands which planned an event by themselves increased. But the scene became weak.
What is your most memorable LowFat show and why?
Every time! Because it is pleasant for me to do music with LowFat members.
How do you feel about Harmonica closing? Where else can bands play their music?
Because there are few proper live houses in Bangkok, so I am very sad.
Other than Harmonica, Immortal Bar, Fatty’s Bar & Diner, and OverStay indy bands can play.
At first each member brings a model of the song to the rehearsal studio. Then we give opinions and complete music. I write most of the lyrics. But sometimes, Yusuke brings idea of the song with lyric.
How long have you lived in Thailand? How has the music community changed in all that time?
I have lived here during 15 years.
I think big groups separated into a lot of small groups. Therefore the bands which planned an event by themselves increased. But the scene became weak.
What is your most memorable LowFat show and why?
Every time! Because it is pleasant for me to do music with LowFat members.
How do you feel about Harmonica closing? Where else can bands play their music?
Because there are few proper live houses in Bangkok, so I am very sad.
Other than Harmonica, Immortal Bar, Fatty’s Bar & Diner, and OverStay indy bands can play.
Takaya at Stone Free 3
Japanese Hardcore that can't be described but must be experienced." - Eddie, The State of Society
What were your influences growing up musically?
Japanese nursery rhyme! Japanese nursery rhyme has a melody we can remember it at once. So I’m trying to bring them into my guitar riff.
Who is the typical LowFat fan?
All my members!!
Do you think Thailand has a strong punk/ hardcore community?
No.
In Thailand, there are tons of metal and post-rock bands. It's rare to see a true hardcore/punk band. Maybe it's due to the Thai mentality of “no worries”, their tendency to forgive easily, to accept, and to avoid different ways of thinking. This contradicts the ideas of hardcore and punk, which is all about saying, “Say no!”, “Fight back!”, or “anti-whatever.”
This Thai philosophy has made hardcore or punk somewhat unpopular in Thailand.
But there are a few interesting bands popping up lately, namely Bullet Brain, Strike Out, Sandan, the Die Hards … so we should be keeping an eye out for the Thai hardcore/punk scene in future.
Japanese nursery rhyme! Japanese nursery rhyme has a melody we can remember it at once. So I’m trying to bring them into my guitar riff.
Who is the typical LowFat fan?
All my members!!
Do you think Thailand has a strong punk/ hardcore community?
No.
In Thailand, there are tons of metal and post-rock bands. It's rare to see a true hardcore/punk band. Maybe it's due to the Thai mentality of “no worries”, their tendency to forgive easily, to accept, and to avoid different ways of thinking. This contradicts the ideas of hardcore and punk, which is all about saying, “Say no!”, “Fight back!”, or “anti-whatever.”
This Thai philosophy has made hardcore or punk somewhat unpopular in Thailand.
But there are a few interesting bands popping up lately, namely Bullet Brain, Strike Out, Sandan, the Die Hards … so we should be keeping an eye out for the Thai hardcore/punk scene in future.
Yusuke and Toppy at Stone Free 3
They are my favorite Bangkok band to see live. Their music and performances are unpredictable. They rock my ass every time. - Aaron, DeadTown Trash
If friends were visiting Bangkok, what bands would you tell them about?
Ugoslabier (post hardcore)
Error 99 (irish punk)
Bullet Brain (crustcore)
Strike Out (cross over)
Sandan (hardcore/punk)
the Die Hards (hardcore)
aire (instrumental rock)
Degaruda (rock)
How long did it take to write and record the new album?
Recorded 13 songs in 2 days! But we spent about 1 year ‘til release. Because we did mixing and mastering them by ourselves.
Can LowFat tour around Asia in the future?
Yes, of course! Now we are planning to go to KL at the end of the year for joining Chaos Rumah Api.
What can we expect at the album party at Fatty's on the 26th?
You can eat a Fatty’s delicious hamburger, sure!! Hahaha…
Do you have a special message for your fans or new LowFat fans?
Stay happy! Stay hardcore!
Ugoslabier (post hardcore)
Error 99 (irish punk)
Bullet Brain (crustcore)
Strike Out (cross over)
Sandan (hardcore/punk)
the Die Hards (hardcore)
aire (instrumental rock)
Degaruda (rock)
How long did it take to write and record the new album?
Recorded 13 songs in 2 days! But we spent about 1 year ‘til release. Because we did mixing and mastering them by ourselves.
Can LowFat tour around Asia in the future?
Yes, of course! Now we are planning to go to KL at the end of the year for joining Chaos Rumah Api.
What can we expect at the album party at Fatty's on the 26th?
You can eat a Fatty’s delicious hamburger, sure!! Hahaha…
Do you have a special message for your fans or new LowFat fans?
Stay happy! Stay hardcore!
Lowfat on facebook
Lowfat album launch party
LowFat at Fatty's with Put Wednesday on bass
LowFat? Mmm that energy radiating, adrenaline fueled and sweat inducing hard-core band with a crazy rubber made Japanese frontman? Just that I can't wait for their new CD. - Pablo Ramirez, (almost) Dr. of Rock at Chulalongkorn University Thai Studies program
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