Members of the rock band Napalm

Starting with just three members – Cao Xuan Anh Tu (lead vocalist, born in 1992), Hoang Tien Nghia (guitar, born in 1996), and Nguyen Dai Long (bass player, born in 1999) – the rock band Napalm emerged simply because Nghia "wanted to play rock, so he posted an ad looking for like-minded people." That's how Napalm, from a "lonely rookie" in the rock scene, gradually matured, gained its own fanbase, and represented the ancient capital at the "Comeback Ancient Capital" Rockshow alongside famous bands like Brainwave, Ca Hoi Hoang, and especially the "veteran" of Vietnamese rock – the band Buc Tuong.

Having started playing music when two-thirds of the members were still in school, the members of Napalm practiced together, honed their skills, and played music in cafes, bars, and pubs. They played music to satisfy themselves, to fulfill their burning love for music , specifically rock. Back then, they lacked money and professional practice facilities, so Napalm only practiced around their rented room, sometimes getting scolded by neighbors for the noise. But that didn't extinguish the young people's love for music.

Although a rock band, in its early days the group lacked one of its most important positions: a drummer. Tien Nghia said: "There aren't many drummers in Hue , not to mention that a drum set is much more expensive than a guitar, and playing music isn't a lucrative job; the pay is meager." Therefore, finding a drummer was a major difficulty for the band. For the first three years, the drummers who played with Napalm at their shows were just "hired hands," not permanent members.

To attract drummers to the band, the entire group was so determined that they saved their performance fees—at that time only 50,000 VND per person per show, or 150,000 VND for three people over a year—to buy a drum set worth over 3,000,000 VND and… recruit someone. Despite this investment, they still couldn't find anyone suitable to fill the missing piece for Napalm. In 2020, Tien Nghia "advised" his younger brother, Hoang Tien Hieu (born in 2001), who was learning guitar, to switch to… drumming; and so Napalm had its own drummer. Over time, there have been changes in membership, with old members leaving, but the band has also welcomed many new members.

In 2022, Truong Viet Trinh (1997) joined Napalm as lead vocalist, replacing Anh Tu. Also in 2022, keyboardist Tran Ngoc Thanh (2004) and violist Tran Nguyen Anh Hong (2007) joined. This year, bassist Ho Nguyen Gia Long (1998) is also a member. They, along with the Tien Nghia and Tien Hoang brothers, form the current lineup of Napalm. Despite the age difference, what binds them together is their love of music, or more specifically, the burning passion for rock music in their hearts.

For Napalm, 2022 was a memorable year. Because of the pandemic, they couldn't practice together, so Viet Trinh, Tien Nghia, and Tien Hoang began composing the band's first songs. From the melodies and lyrics Trinh hummed on his phone, the two Hoang brothers started arranging the music. Adding drums, guitar, bass, and effects from piano and violin, the members of Napalm collaborated and created a song of their own. Napalm transformed from a band that only played other people's music into a true rock band with its own original works.

That same year, Napalm was unexpectedly chosen as one of the two home bands to perform at the "Comeback to the Ancient Capital" Rockshow. Both proud and anxious, Napalm challenged themselves by deciding to use this as the opportunity to showcase their original songs. "Performing our first original song on such a large stage was a real challenge. Unfortunately, Hieu was hospitalized, and the group could only rehearse two days before the performance," Tien Hoang recalled. However, that risk paid off handsomely. The performance was a success, thousands of fans chanted "Napalm," and the band's music was well-received by the audience in the ancient capital. To date, the band has eight original songs, including two that have been released on social media platforms: "Boundary" and "My Apology."

Napalm performs at Youth Rock: Igniting the Passion

Playing music doesn't make money; this is a truth that all bands in Hue understand. That's also why many young bands "bloom and fade quickly," and established bands often have to put their passion aside for the sake of making a living. For rock bands, this is even more evident, as rock music appeals to a niche audience, Hue is a small community, shows are scarce, and the culture of "going to shows" in Hue isn't widespread. That's why Napalm, initially the youngest rock band, still hasn't had any successors after seven years of activity. Therefore, Tien Hoang's thinking shifted from "participating in other people's shows" to "creating our own platform for bands."

Drummer Hoang Tien Hieu said that Napalm will soon have its own rock show called "Enough is Enough." "This is the first time we've organized a music show, and our biggest worry is whether or not an audience will come. Up until now, we've been quietly 'doing it ourselves,' lacking not only sponsors but also organized direction..." Hieu said with a laugh. For Hieu and the band, any show Napalm organizes must sell tickets: "We only charge 50,000 VND per ticket, which isn't much, but we think it's a way to filter the audience. That's how we can truly find people who know how to listen to music, people who come for our music," Hieu shared.

Always giving their all in every show, the members of Napalm not only showcase their passionate love for music but also spread the positive energy that rock brings to the audience. At the same time, these young people also contribute to affirming that the rock community in Hue still exists and remains strong on the Vietnamese music map.

Pham Phuoc Chau