The Vans Warped Tour 2026 Interviews – Whispers
The Vans Warped Tour 2026 Interviews – Whispers
The Vans Warped Tour 2026 Interviews – WhispersWhispers aka “Bangkok Evilcore” are one of the most electrifying hardcore bands emerging from Bangkok, Thailand — and their appearance at Vans Warped Tour Long Beach marks a milestone not only for the band, but for the growing Southeast Asian heavy music scene. Vocalist Nitisart “Mike” Chaiburi sat down with us moments before their set to talk about Thailand’s hardcore community, Buddhist‑inspired lyricism, touring Europe, and the surreal feeling of finally reaching the Warped stage.
Introduce yourself and tell me what you do in Whispers.
I’m Mike, and I’m the vocalist for Whispers. Everyone in the band is from Bangkok, Thailand — we’re all Asian kids who grew up in the scene over there.
Tell me about the hardcore scene in Thailand.
It’s getting bigger and bigger now. We have festivals — smaller than this, of course — but we’ve got metal fests, hardcore fests, and a lot of new bands coming up. The scene in Thailand is really good right now, and I love being part of it.
How does it feel to be playing Vans Warped Tour in Long Beach?
Honestly, my mind is blank because I’m so excited. This is one of the bucket‑list dreams for Asian kids — coming here and seeing the bands we grew up listening to. Playing here is crazy. I never thought it would happen. I’m giving it one hundred percent today.
What can fans expect from a live Whispers show?
Fun. Good energy. Everyone having a good time together — that’s what matters.
Your lyrics have a strong cultural and spiritual influence. What inspires them?
A lot of it comes from Thai Buddhism. We have a song called Retribution that comes from my childhood experiences visiting temples — learning about life and death, and how every action has a consequence. I want to bring Asian experiences to Western audiences because it’s special and different. I grew up in a very traditional Thai neighborhood, so those memories shape the lyrics.
You toured Europe on the Hell on Earth Tour. What were your favorite stops?
We toured with our friends from South Florida, Domain, and had a great time. We played Germany, the Netherlands — there’s a festival called Vainstream there — Czech Republic for Fajtfest, and Belgium for Leperfest. Festivals like that are new for us because we don’t have many in Asia. It was a really special experience, and the smaller shows were fun too. I met a lot of new faces.
If you could open for any band, past or present, who would it be and why?
Sick of It All. Lou Koller just passed away yesterday, and we’re really sad about that. I never got to see them when they played Bangkok. Opening for them would mean a lot.
Do you have new music coming soon?
We’re working on a full album right now — hopefully early next year. It’s hard to write while touring because we have shows all over Asia: India, Nepal, the Philippines, China. More tours in the U.S. and Australia too. But we’re trying to finish the album soon. I can’t wait.
What does playing Warped Tour mean to you personally?
I never dreamed about this. When I first saw Warped Tour as a kid, I thought, “This is the top of the mountain.” If you can make it here with your band and your friends, it’s like a movie. Being here today feels unreal.
In Conclusion
For Whispers, the road from Bangkok’s tight‑knit hardcore community to the sprawling chaos of Vans Warped Tour Long Beach is more than a career milestone — it’s a testament to passion, persistence, and the global reach of heavy music. Mike’s mix of humility and fire makes it clear that this moment isn’t just a stop on a tour; it’s a dream realized, shared with friends, fans, and a scene that raised them. As the band continues to carve out their place across Asia, Europe, and now the U.S., Whispers stand as proof that hardcore’s heartbeat is truly worldwide — and they’re only getting louder.
(Interview by Ken Morton – Photos by Vivian Ortega of So Finch Photography)
