Real Zeal

Rockers grow and glow

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
and Ploy Thamma
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb

After nearly a decade in showbiz, Zeal are widely recognised as one of the top Thai rock bands. The group has distinguished themselves with their unique mix of heavy rock beats and unusual synthesiser sounds.

Over the past three years, Zeal have recorded songs for TV dramas, including "Bab Nai Tee Theo Rak (Which Kind of Person Do You Love?)" for the popular series Ngao Rak Luang Jai (Secret Love).

More recently, Zeal returned to rocking form with their fifth album, Grow. The album's intense first single, "Sieam (Inciting)," features guest rappers Thaitanium, while the second single is the sweet and emotional rock ballad, "Chan Kamlang Ja Tai (I Am Dying)."

Student Weekly recently met up with Zeal - singer Prach Pongchai (Pex), guitarist Natboworn Setthakanok (Chu), bassist Toryos Chongchaem (Pok) and drummer Prajya Meebumrung (Ken) - at the We Records office to ask them about their latest album.

Student Weekly: What does make Grow different from your previous albums?

Pok: Our music has developed. The beats in our fast songs are wilder than before, while our ballads have more emotion. And our lyrics aren't only about love. We also sing about social issues.

Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your recent single, "Inciting"?

Ken: When people have problems with one another, they usually don't talk to their opponents openly. They listen to somebody else who incites them, and the problem gets worse. We wrote this song to encourage people to talk about things in a straightforward way.

Student Weekly: How did Thaitanium end up rapping on the track?

Pok: When we finished writing the song, we felt that there should be a part where somebody speaks. Thaitanium have some unusual viewpoints, and their rapping is really enjoyable. They use some playful words that fit well with the song.

Student Weekly: How did you come to work with Maew Jirasak on your song, "Sad Lueay Klan (Reptile)"?

Pok: The song is about family issues. Maew is a father, so it suited him. He helped us with the guitar solo as well as singing. He worked so fast that the song was finished within a week.

Ken: He's a veteran rocker that any band would want to work with.

Student Weekly: Did you enjoy recording soundtracks for TV dramas?

Pok: It was fun. We all have music degrees, so it was a good challenge for us. Some of the songs we did, like "Rue Wa Thoe Mai Roo [Perhaps You Don't Know]," are so different from our usual style that people probably didn't know it was Zeal.

Student Weekly: What has been the proudest moment for Zeal so far?

Pok: Every moment is special. During the first few years of the band, we were just excited to be able to write our own songs.

Student Weekly: Do you have any advice for young people who want to play music?

Chu: If your family doesn't support you, you need to prove that you can take care of yourself by having music career. At first, my parents didn't think that I could earn a living playing in a band. But eventually I proved that I could support myself.

Student Weekly: : What's the main future goal for Zeal?

Ken: We want to have our own concert. We've been guests at many different concerts, but we haven't had our own event yet. We need to have a few more hits to gain support from the executives at our music company.