Well let's start with you introducing yourself to everyone I guess!
Greg: My name is Greg and I play bass in Amber Pacific.
When and what made you decide to form a band?
Greg: Well the band was together before I joined, but since I was 5 or 6 I’ve always wanted to be in a band. I loved Billy Joel and for some reason I said to myself “I want to do that”. And now here I am… I don’t know how it happened but here I am
How did you come up with the name "Amber Pacific"?
Greg: Unfortunately there’s not really a cool story behind it, it was two words taken from a list of band names I came up with one late night and Will, our guitarist, said he liked the word “amber” and the word “pacific” and I said lets just put them together… that’s how we came up with it…
Do you write your own songs or do you have a song-writer do it for you?
Greg: We write all our own stuff. Will does a majority of the writing. I helped a little bit on the possibility, but Will has this insane song writing talent.
If yes, what is your inspiration each time?
Greg: Inspiration comes from a different place for each song. Most of the songs aren’t actually about girls.
What is the recording process like?
Greg: I love it. You’re stuck in a small batch of rooms and you get to record songs that you helped create and then have them play back to you and its amazing!! We usually lay drums down first, then bass, guitars, vocals and then extra little neat things that give songs some extra pizzaz.
What was your first gig like?
Greg: My first show with the band was great. I mean we weren’t all that good, but we didn’t know it haha. I had a bunch of friends there cheering me on and it was a dream come true, I’ll never forget it. I was probably nervous even though I wouldn’t admit to it.
If you could work with anyone or any band, who would it be?
Greg: If I could work with New Found Glory in any way possible that’s who I would choose. I love those guys as people, even though I don’t know them all that well, I respect them for so much and I love their music.
They got me into the pop-punk type music and opened a door to a whole new world of music for me. I could go on forever about different NFG things but I won’t haha.
Can you imagine yourself doing anything else apart from being in a band? If yes, what would it be and why?
Greg: Honestly, no. I have no idea what else I could or would be doing if I wasn’t in this band. I’m glad things worked out for us
What's the best and worst thing about the business you're in?
Greg: Best thing: all the friends I have made all over the place, in bands or just people I meet from touring. Worst thing: the business side of all of this. It’s a terrible disgusting thing and I don’t really like to think about it…
When you get up to perform, do you get stage fright?
Greg: Very rarely. I don’t like to talk into microphones at all and never have, so I guess that, but other then that I don’t really think about it. I just go up there and try to have fun then go back to living a normal life as soon as I walk off the stage.
What's it really like to be famous? I'm sure it's pretty hard work with all the obsessed fans, the paparazzi etc. How do you deal with it?
Greg: I’m not really famous so I don’t really have to deal with it haha.
Even if I was “famous” I don’t think I’d do anything to different, I’m not in this to be an idol or anything, just having fun and being myself.
Who are your role models/inspirations when you're performing or generally recording?
Greg: As far as bass playing goes I have a few role models… Roger from Less Than Jake, Ian from New Glory, Matt from Rancid/Operation Ivy, Eban/Vinnie from Saves The Day and Hunter from AFI. I use to sit in my room for hours and hours learning songs from these guys and without it I wouldn’t be able to play anything at all.
What things do you miss most about life before you became well known?
Greg: I really miss all my friends at home, but I think that’s also just from growing up and everyone going in different directions. I still don’t think of us as well known, I just hope people will always realize that we are people just the same as them, no different, no more special, just lucky and thankful for all that we have and are able to do.
And what are the things that you wouldn't change about being known?
Greg: Well today I received an e mail about how this man lost his mom in a recent plane crash in Kentucky and how he heard our song “Gone So Young”. He said that it has meant everything to him, its helping him through what is probably the hardest thing he has ever gone through in his life. To be apart of something that can do that for someone, I wouldn’t want to change that for anything.
What's the sweetest thing a fan has said?
Greg: “Thanks for making music that has saved my life.”
Have you ever received a present from a fan? If yes what was it?
Greg: We don’t get that many gifts, which is fine, no complaints haha.
But we have gotten had made drawings and cookies and cool stuff like that and its always nice, people going out of their way to make our day, that’s pretty awesome
Say one line from your songs that describes your emotional state the best right now
Greg: Wow. Good question… “There’ a hope, there’s a light…” from “The Sky Could Fall Tonight”
Why music? ... Why choose music as a career? What does music have that other things don't?
Greg: Music is EVERYTHING to me. I was just blessed and I’m able to be apart of making it now. Music is everything, it cheers you up, it understands you when your sad/mad/happy/laid back… there is always a perfect song for any mood, moment, place, anything… its not something you can really describe, you just get it, you just feel it
I've written a poem and basically it says paradise is basically all the simple things in life that make you happy. What do you think about paradise? Does it exist and what is it?
Greg: Well I am a Christian so I believe paradise is heaven, but I definitely agree that the simple things are what make me happy.
How has your lifestyle changed since your band got discovered?
Greg: Well I’m not home to often, but I love touring so it works out!
Since being “discovered”, touring, being in a band, and everything that comes with it I have definitely grown and changed as a person. Not in a bad way or anything, I just think I have discovered more of who I am and what’s important to me, but then again I think that just comes with age…
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Greg: Hopefully married! Other then that no idea…
I've heard that you like to snowboard, what got you into it and are you any good? (haha)
Greg: I’m not really sure how I got into it; I’m not very good at all.
I’m pretty terrible. I’ve taught a lot of my friends and by the end of the day they are usually better then me haha.
What qualities do you look for in a girl?
Greg: A good person, great personality, a girl that’s not afraid to be her self ya know… laid back, cute, nice eyes… a girl that doesn’t like to go to dance clubs!!!
What's your ideal date?
Greg: My ideal date is lame… maybe eat a little food and watch a movie or two on the couch, talk about life and all that good stuff
What type of movies do you like and can you name any of your favourites?
Greg: I like a lot of different types, I have a ton of dvds and a lot of them are pretty bad movies from when I was growing up, but I love them!
I love That Thing You Do, Wayne’s World, Serendipity, A Walk To Remember, Wedding Crashers, V for Vendetta, Vanilla Sky and about a thousand more that I’m forgetting…
What type of music do you like and who are your favourite bands/singers?
Greg: I love all types of music but I generally listen to more of the pop-punk type music. My all time faves are Less Than Jake, Green Day, Billy Joel, AFI, Rancid, Operation Ivy, The Misfits, New Found Glory, John Mayer, Something Corporate, and Saves The Day.
Now I'm going to ask some random questions.
Have you ever smashed your guitar? If yes, don't you feel guilty that you're wasting money?
Greg: No, and it’s because I’d feel like it was a total waste of money haha. I would rather give it to someone then smash it.
What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
Greg: Dropped out of college to be in a band.
What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done?
Greg: Fall on stage… it happens more often then I like.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Greg: Europe, Australia, Alaska, or Maine. I’ve never been to any of those places and I have always wanted to go to them for different reasons, just to see different places and experience a different culture.
If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?
Greg: Be an astronaut and go to space
If you were stuck on a desert island with only three things, what would they be and why?
Greg: A boat to get off the island. A girl, because company is nice, and my ipod, I have to have some music with me!
Tell us a random fact about you that we can't find on the internet.
Greg: I am related to John Wilkes Booth, he is the guy who assassinated Abraham Lincoln.
Have you seen a movie and just started crying? If yes, which one?
Greg: No, but whenever I watch A Walk To Remember I come close… we have watched it as a band and all almost started crying haha.
Would you rather live in a box for a year with just clothes and food but not be allowed to see anyone or be forced to shave your head and tattooed all over your face. How did you decide your final answer?
Greg: This question bums me out haha, I guess shave my head and tattooed because it would only be for a year and I could get something rad on my face.
Would you rather jump into a pool with a bike from the second floor or eat 20 cockroaches?
Greg: Jump in a pool with a bike for sure!!
How many grapes can you stuff in your mouth before exploding (or choking)?
Greg: I have no idea, I don’t really like grapes so zero
What's worse for you, a woman who has an extremely noticeable laugh but is fun or a shy and sensible woman?
Greg: Ummm I’d go with whatever girl made me happy. That’s a safe answer haha.
What's more important, great personality or amazing looks?
Greg: Personality. I’m serious.
Have you ever gone skinny dipping? If yes, details.
Greg: Sorry no, I’m kind of boring haha.
Now I'm going to ask you some this or that questions.
T.v or computer?
Computer
Phone call or text?
Both, depends on circumstances.
Purple or pink?
I’m diggin purple lately.
Cat or dog?
Both
Cherry Coke or Vanilla Coke?
Dr. Pepper
McDonalds or Burger King?
In and Out Burger
Healthy food or junk food?
Healthy.
Night out clubbing or night in with a funny movie and a bag of popcorn?
Funny movie!!!!!!!
Walk on the beach on a starry night or skinny dipping?
Walk on the beach ;)
Thanks so much for doing this interview with me! Any last message you want to pass to your fans and generally the world?
Thank you for the longest but best interview ever!! And thank you so much to anyone and everyone who has ever supported this band in any way!!!! We truly appreciate everything!!!
Lastly, how can your fans contact you??
E mail is the best way to, greg@amberpacific.com matt@amberpacific.com will@amberpacific.com dango@amberpacific.com or band@amberpacific.com
Thanks Greg! It was a pleasure talking to you! I hope we can keep in contact as I had a blast today!
