How did you get together?
E: I was playing music when I could still see, joining school and friends’ bands. But when my sight got blurry, I went to work at the Association of the Blind, where I met Jack. He’s the association’s music instructor. We got along and decided to set up this band.
Jack: I used to be able to see. But I had an accident when I was 14. Strangely, when I lost my eyesight, my urge to play music grew stronger. Then I became an instructor here.
Den: I was born blind and I’ve been playing music for 10 years. Jack and I have been friends since school.
Hack: When I developed sight problems, I was lucky to find the association, and to meet Jack.
How badly does your blindness affect your music?
Jack: When I finished school, I had to decide my future—whether or not to learn music to make a living. The grown-ups didn’t approve of it. People have a negative attitude towards blind musicians. But I knew what I wanted. Studying wasn’t a problem; I just had to try harder than the others. My friends helped me. For music, I use my ears and my memory.
Den: Music is never a problem; it’s my salvation.
How do you combine your different musical tastes to make a single album?
E: Basically, we all like rock music but we blend in what we like. So this album is pop-rock with punk and other things.
Hack: This album is a compromise for us. It’s our beginning; we’ll learn from it.
Why “Ninth Side”?
E: When Thai people face a serious problem, they say it’s mued paad dan [being in the dark on all eight sides]. We like to think, even when you’re in total darkness, there must be a ninth side where there’s light. The ninth side has brought us here.
What do you expect from this album?
Hack: It’s the work that we want people to hear. We try very hard. I hope people will give it a try.
E: I want people to buy this album because they really like it, not because they pity us. If you don’t like it, if it’s not good, don’t buy it.
