The Hotwave Music Awards is one of the biggest music competitions in Thailand.
Begun in 1996 by HOT 91.5 FM, it was mainly aimed at high school bands.
This resulted in the strange sight of kids in school uniforms rocking out. When Hotwave Radio ended in 2013, the Hotwave Music Awards were also discontinued. But this year, it was brought back as a reality show on GMM25 Channel.
On October 1 at Thunderdome, the Hotwave Music Awards announced its latest winners, a band called Methane from Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn School. Their skilful musicianship and powerful show impressed the judges and won them the 100,000 baht prize.
Methane are 17-year-old singer Chanita Vachirasereechai (Ying), 18-year-old guitarist Teerapat Chamnandee (Clever), 18-year-old bassist Praditporn Chaemkrachang (Boss) and 16-year-old drummer Wongwarute Witharnthumrong (Pete).
S Weekly recently caught up with the talented youngsters to talk about the band and their musical journey.
Why did you decide form a band in the first place?
Clever: I was inspired by a movie I saw called Suckseed when I was in Pratom 6. It was about a bunch of loser school kids who formed a band to impress girls. Then they took part in a band competition. I remember it made such an impact on me back then. I wanted to do the same thing.
Did you also decide to have a female member in the band to be like the movie?
Clever: Not really, that’s just a coincidence. Ying and I have known each other since elementary school and we were in the same class for six years. I knew she could sing but we didn’t start playing together until we were in high school.
You’re excellent on stage. How did you develop your skills?
Pete: I’ve studied drums since I was in Pratom 4. And after a few years, I began to teach myself by listening to music and watching clips of live bands on YouTube.
Boss: I did the same thing as Pete. And I took part in a lot of music contests during my junior high school years. So that gave me quite a bit of stage experience.
Clever: I just listened to a lot of music - both Western and Asian bands.
Ying: I had my first singing class in Matayom 1 and continued that way for a few years. I also practise a lot when I’m at home.
Is it true that you spend 3 to 4 hours each day rehearsing?
Ying: Yes, it’s true. But before the Hotwave Music Awards, we rehearsed for about 12 hours a day!
Clever: A couple of hours each day is quite normal for us. We know that we have to keep getting better and be ready all the time.
How much do your parents support you being in a band?
Ying: We’re all very fortunate that our families are very supportive of the band.
Pete: As well as understanding what this means to us, they also help us out with all the expenses. They help us pay for things like rehearsal rooms and our musical instruments.
Clever: If we can prove to them that we’re able to manage both school and the band, then they don’t have a problem.
Why did you choose to play rock music?
Ying: I think rock ‘n’ roll is very accessible. It’s easy to relate to and enjoy.
Clever: Most of the bands that have influenced us are rock bands.
Who are some of your favourite bands?
Boss: I love Bodyslam.
Clever: I love Potato and Big Ass.
Ying: I like Bodyslam and Klear.
