AMBER PACIFIC
By: Lauren Napier

Amber Pacific is a thriving pop-punk band originating from the state of Washington. They have graced the stage of Warped Tour on multiple occasions and were signed almost instantaneously after sending their demo into Hopeless Records. They really do believe that their fans are what matters and it shows: in their words, their live performances, and their dedication. Amber Pacific is in this for the music and will not compromise their love of the music, and of the scene, that has helped them come so far. Dango, the drummer, was kind enough to talk with me about his own contributions to the band.

How do you feel you have evolved from Fading Days to The Possibility and the Promise?

Dango: Just the development of playing together live and becoming better musicians. Song writing has developed and has more diversity. Fading days most of the songs were similar and much the same. I was present for the full record and brought my influences into the band from the punk side not the pop side of things. Such as speeds and tempos.

How did the band start?

Well, the band started about two years ago when a couple of the guys in high school were playing together and decided to get together and do the band thing. They recorded the first demo, because of manager David – he pushed them because he thought they had something. They sent the demo into Hopeless records and were signed almost immediately.

Influences?

All kinds of bands – a lot of bigger band like Green Day, Blink 182, The Starting Line, Fall Out Boy, and MXPX.

The band is from Washington – was it hard to get noticed in such a large scene? How did you set yourselves apart?

I think initially it was hard to develop a following in such a big music scene. After we toured across the country and people started buying our records and realizing who we were we got noticed at home. We started to draw fans there, too.

What do you hope to add to the scene?

We’d like to be a band that plays the music we love and can have a positive message. We’d like to encourage kids and be good role models…help them to not feel like they have to blend in. We’re not going to compromise our music.

What has music meant to you?

To me personally – music is a cool art form. It’s a way to connect with people and reach them on a different level. On an emotional level. It’s powerful – music has impacted me so much with that. People can create something that I’m really moved by.

What are some of your favorite albums of all time?

For me – life in general by MXPX…punk in drublic – NOFX…jesus freak by dc talk

What are your favorite songs from your material – and why?

My favorites songs are both from the newer track 1 and 12…“Everything We Were” and “Can’t Hold Back”. Those songs are musically most like the style I like to play. They are the most technical and the fastest.

What is the basis of the band’s name?

Amber pacific was something they came up with because the band was initially called Follow Through and they had to change it for legal reasons. They went through a list of about 50 words and picked two .

Has there been a downfall to your success?

Definitely not at this point since we not achieved any huge success. We are simply excited to have our records across the country.

What is your favorite aspect of touring? Least favorite?

My favorite is I guess I love getting to meet people in different places and just seeing the diversities of cultures and nationalities within the same country. My least favorite aspect is the trouble I have trying to stay clean. I love to be clean and take showers and I can’t do that enough on tour.

If you weren’t with a successful band now – what would you be doing?

Me personally – I’m a hired gun. I played professionally before this – so I’d be with a pop or rock band.

Could you describe your song writing process?

Will, our guitar player, mostly writes the songs and melodies and chord progression and then he brings it to me. I figure out the arrangement. Then we take it to the whole band and we put the song together…beginning and end…We discuss our rhythmical ideas and whether we will develop the song or take it straight to recording.

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