Loso

Loso (Thai: โลโซ) are a Thai rock band formed in Bangkok. They are signed to the label More Music, an imprint of GMM Grammy. Led by guitarist Seksan Sukpimai (aka Sek Loso), they are a very successful band in Thailand.

Formation (1993-1996)
In 1993, Seksan Sukpimai was playing in various bands in Nakorn Sawan province while studying at Nakorn Ratchasima Technical College. While playing with a band named Diamond, he met Kittisak "Yai" Khoatkham. After Diamond broke up in 1994, Sukpimai and Khoatkham formed a short-lived band named Climax. When Climax broke up in mid-1994, Sukpimai and Khoatkham moved to Bangkok where they continued to play, both together and apart, until 1995, when Sukpimai and Khoatkham joined with Apirath "Rath" Sukkhajitr and Mark De Sala to record demos of some songs Sukpimai had written. They named the band "Loso" as a play on the Thai slang "HiSo" (high society) to reflect the band's simple, down-to-earth aesthetic.

Loso approached many labels to publish their debut album, with no success.

Success (1996 - 1998)
The band's break came when Saksit Tangthong sought them out as a backing band for his album Dek Lang Hong (Back Room Boy) in early 1996. Tangthong then introduced Loso to the More Music label, who then signed Loso. They released their debut album Lo Society in April 1996. Lo Society sold more than million copies, making Loso the top rock artists in Thailand at the time.

Later in 1997, Loso released a special album LOSO Special Red Bike as the soundtrack album to the film Red Bike Story starring by Mos Patiparn and Tata Young. Hit singles include "Jug ga Yarn See Dang" and "Red Bike".

In 1998, Loso’s second album LOSO Entertainment was released, with sales of more than 2 million copies, GMM Grammy's highest-selling album. LOSO Entertainment marked a shift in style for Loso from the grunge rock of their debut album to a more solidly rock and roll style. The album went to number one on many radio stations nationwide for a long time.

Rock & Roll to The Red Album (1999 - 2001)
In 1999, Sukkhajitr left Loso for personal reasons, causing Loso to stop touring and go on hiatus for a period of time. They eventually returned to the studio with as a two-man band working with Silly Fool's producer Simon Henderson to produce their third album, Rock & Roll. Sales of the album exceeded one million copies. Following the release of Rock & Roll, bassist Nattaphon "Klang" Suntharaanu joined as a temporary member.

In February 2001, Loso released the fourth album Losoland. Sales of the album exceeded only 700,000 copies.

Six months later, Loso released the fifth album called “The Red Album” on August 2001, so named at the recommendation of Paiboon Damrongchaitham, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GMM Grammy, with an album cover designed as a symbolic expression against the pirating of CDs and tapes in Thailand. The Red Album included unreleased songs from the previous albums with only a few newly composed songs. The opening song of the album is "Pan Tip", a song written by Sukpimai that ridiculed and satirized the Pan Tip Plaza, a popular venue for the sale of pirated CD tapes in Thailand at that time. Sales of The Red Album exceeded 900,000 copies.  

Following the release of The Red Album, "Rath" Sukkhajitr returned to the band after an absence of almost three years.

Three months after the release of The Red Album, Loso's first concert, Concert For Friends, was held on 10 November 2001 at Velodrome Hua Mak stadiums.

Dispersed (2002 - 2019)
After the big concert, Loso continued gigs until January 2002. Loso ceased touring, and in 2003 Sukpimai announced that Loso had disbanded and separated so that he could continue his studies in England. After returning to Thailand, Sukpimai released a special album with Thongchai McIntyre ("Bird") titled Bird-Sek in 2004, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of GMM Grammy. Bird-Sek achieved the highest album sales of the year in Thailand at two million copies. Afterwards, Sukpimai continued to tour and record as a solo artist.

Following Loso's breakup, Khotkam and Sukkhajitr formed the band Fahrenheit together with Pichet Krueawan, a guitarist and former members of Y not 7, and Piraporn "Zai" Prampanas as lead vocalist. Sukkhajitr left Fahrenheit and retired from music shortly afterward due to health problems. Khotkam, in addition to his work with Fahrenheit, became the drummer for Asanee-Wasan and a session musician. Suntharaanu joined the band Pon La Lak Ruk Oei, and when that band disbanded, he worked as a sound engineer and pursued other business interests.

Reuniting (2019 - Present)
On 10 October 2019, Sukpimai posted a picture of himself with former bandmates Khotkam and Sukkhajitr. The image sparked hope that the band might reunite after 17 years. Then, on 12 September 2020, Loso members Khotkam, Sukkhajitr and Suntharaanu attended the wedding of Sukpimai and Karn Wipakorn, where the bandmates joined together to perform for the wedding party.

On 18 December 2021, Loso performed the LOSO Reunion Live Streaming concert, their first concert in 20 years. Since 2022, Loso has returned to touring throughout Thailand with members Sukpimai, Khotkam and Suntharaanu. Sukkhajitr has been unable to rejoin the band due to health concerns.

Current members

 * Seksan Sukpimai (Sek) - lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, composer of all songs of the band (1996-2002, 2021-present)
 * Kittisak Khoatkham (Yai) - drum, backing and lead vocals (1996-2002, 2021-present)
 * Nattaphon Suntharaanu (Klang) – bass guitar, backing vocals (1999-2001, 2021-present)

Former Member

 * Apirath Sukkhajitr (Rath) - bass guitar, backing and lead vocals (1996-1998, 2001-2002)

Studio albums

 * Lo-Society (1996)
 * Loso Special Red Bike (1997, movie soundtrack)
 * Loso Entertainment (1998)
 * Rock & Roll (2000)
 * Losoland (2001)
 * The Red Album (August 2001)

Compilation albums

 * ''Lo-Society (Bonus Tracks, 1996)
 * Best of Loso (CD, 1999)
 * Best of Loso (Karaoke VCD, 2001)
 * Loso: Concert for Friends (VCD, 2002)
 * Loso: Best Of Collection (30 April 2013)

Awards

 * 11th Seesan Award (1998) - Best Rock Group Artist Award (Album : LOSO Entertainment)
 * 14th Seesan Award (2001) - Best Rock Group Artist Award (Album : Losoland)