In Thailand’s underground metal scene, bands don’t just survive on volume and distortion, they survive on friendship, patience, and pure belief in something that often doesn’t guarantee a stable future. Among those stories stands G6PD, a band that didn’t emerge from a polished industry blueprint, but from shared classrooms, shared struggles, and a shared refusal to let music stay only as a hobby.
Formed in 2002 at Chiang Mai’s Faculty of Applied Arts, G6PD began as a circle of students bound by a mutual love for heavy music and an even heavier reality outside the stage. What started as a university connection slowly evolved into something deeper, an identity shaped by endurance, cultural roots, and the kind of friendship that only time and hardship can test.
Their name, drawn from a real medical condition, carries more than just biological meaning, it reflects permanence. Just like the condition that inspired it, their music represents something that cannot simply be switched off or abandoned. It stays, it grows, and it evolves with them.
In this feature, G6PD opens up about their journey through Thailand’s underground scene, the struggles of balancing real life and music, and how a tight-knit community of bands continues to push the boundaries of heavy music across generations and borders.
For readers discovering G6PD for the first time, can you share the story of how the band started and what inspired the name G6PD?
“In 2002, Nat (guitar), Tong (bass), and TJ (vocals) were all studying at the same university in the Faculty of Applied Arts in Chiang Mai, in the northern part of Thailand. Because of that, we shared the same interest in metal music. The band name G6PD came from TJ (vocals), who has G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) deficiency, a genetic blood disorder that can be triggered by certain drugs, fava beans, or infections. As he explained, this condition has been with him since birth and will never go away until he’s gone. In the same way, our passion for music is something that cannot be taken away from us, it stays with us forever.”
Thailand has a very unique and passionate underground scene. How would you describe the evolution of the Thailand music scene from when you first started until today?
“It’s like a big family. Some of the bands have known each other for more than 20 years. Some of the newer bands used to be our fans before, and now we’ve become their fans too, which has brought us even closer. Of course, some friends were lost along the way, but the scene keeps moving forward. Every new generation brings more ambition, and the energy we exchange back and forth is what helps the scene continue to grow.”
Every band has struggles during their early days. What were the biggest challenges G6PD faced when building your name in the local scene?
“We still struggle even today in Thailand. It’s hard to make a living because everything costs money, both then and now. But what has kept us together until today is our friendship within the band, our brothers from other bands, and the scene that keeps calling us back to the underground. I think the biggest challenge for us is trying to balance our double lives… work, family, and band life at the same time. That period takes a lot of time and mental energy. Evolving is not easy at all. We also got a lot of help from AEY, our brother from the band EBOLA. He helped us a lot during that time to understand what the next step for our band should be.”
Your sound has its own identity and energy. Which bands, artists, or life experiences influenced G6PD’s music the most?
“Back when we started, we were inspired by bands like Sepultura, Machine Head, Hatebreed, and Lamb of God. But as time passed, we became more influenced by death metal. Still, I think one part we inherited from Sepultura is the idea of combining traditional Northern Thai instruments with metal, and bringing more of our culture into our songs.”
In your opinion, what makes the Thailand metal and alternative scene different from other Asian music scenes?
“I really don’t know, but I think Thai people are lovely, friendly, and kind. We welcome all kinds of cultural differences in music, regardless of age, genre, or gender. And especially in Thailand, the weather is always so hot!”
Social media and digital platforms changed how artists connect globally. How important are platforms like MyTalent in helping bands from Thailand reach international audiences?
“Helping bands a lot… now is not easy as bands to be found. The boundaries of digital platforms are expanding more and more, so is important that bands got platform that support specially in scene of underground music.”
What is the most unforgettable live performance or tour experience G6PD has ever had?
“For each member is different, but for me (Nat - Guitars) the show in Hanoi Rock City, Vietnam, 2 years ago… that’s our first time there, so we expect nothing, but when our show starts… the crowd goes crazy and sings along with us in every song. It’s such an amazing memory and we made new friends that day, like the bands Kokeshi from Japan and GAI from Vietnam. It was a great night.”
Many young musicians look up to bands that stay consistent for years. What advice would you give to upcoming artists trying to survive and grow in today’s music industry?
“I think every band is different, but from my experience, friendship within the band is very important. Believe in each other, face the risks together, and always communicate to find the best way forward. Don’t take breaks for too long because the world is moving faster than ever.”
How do you see the future of the Thailand music scene in the next five years, especially for independent and heavy music artists?
“I think we can become more global, more productive, and more creative. The world deserves to know more about Thailand’s heavy music artists and other underground scenes from different parts of the world. I also hope this sends a strong message to the Thailand music industry to open more opportunities for underground music.”
Finally, what’s next for G6PD? Are there new releases, collaborations, or international plans that fans should watch out for and would you like to invite fans to follow your journey on MyTalent?
“Our new G6PD album is coming this year, and we’re currently in talks for shows in Japan and Mongolia. Let’s hope it happens! Please follow us on MyTalent to keep in touch and stay updated about us. Thank you!”