Amber Pacific (Federal Way, WA) is a band that aims to follow in the footsteps of the late, great Seattle-area music scene. Though the well-known regional influences are not largely apparent in their music, coming of age in a city that has been constantly buzzing with brand new amalgamations of rock since the early 90s has proven beneficial for the band. Amber Pacific is today just as much a product of its musical environment as it is a cornerstone of the new Seattle-area music scene. With an average age of 19, they have the energy and enthusiasm to put Seattle back on the musical map in 2004!
The story goes... In September of 2002, Will, Blake (former drummer), Justin, and Tyler (former bassist) came together to form the band Follow Through. They were self-described as a "bit of everything from punk, pop, emo, whatever". During a random conversation in High school shortly after the bands inception, Justin mentioned that his band needed a singer. And happen chance, Matt voiced an interest. Strangely enough the first time Follow Through heard Matt sing was a couple weeks later in the studio when the band decided to record rough demos of a few of their first songs. After hearing him lay down vocal tracks, the band asked him to be a permanent member. As for shows, Follow Through played their first show to an audience other than Wills parents J at Club Impact on March 1, 2003. They continued to play local shows that year and began taking the band more seriously. Due to differences within the band, Tyler (original bassist) left in the summer of 2003. Shortly after, Greg became the new bass guitarist. And late summer 2003, with a collection of well-crafted, technically mature and catchy tracks in their repertoire, they headed back into the studio to record their second EP in hopes of what was to come.
The end of that summer, the band took on a hefty schedule of college classes, local shows, printing CDs, self-promoting in the area, talking to various labels, and ultimately deciding what they really wanted out of the band. It is a strange time in any bands career because when the opportunity finally presents itself to tour and sign with a label, the decision between parents, college, friends, girlfriends, etc. and chance to chase a dream can be a difficult one. During the search Blake, the former drummer, decided that he wanted to pursue other interests. Although discouraged and in the midst of losing a close friend and drummer, the remaining members decided that Once in a lifetime was worth the chance. All the while this was occurring; the recent recording fell into the hands of Hopeless Records. And shortly after, the band was signed to the label on January 23, 2004. As well, after signing, it was discovered that the band would need to change its name due to legal reasons. Follow Through was now to be known as Amber Pacific.
Without a drummer now, the band began trying out new drummers. Dango flew out from Tennessee where he had been a studio drummer for some bigger name artists (but there was no passion for him in the genres those artists played). So with a ridiculous amount of college debt (from going to a private music college) he decided that he would move out to Washington and rough it out trying to be in a band that played the music he liked. Bringing us to now.
The EP Fading Days was released on Hopeless Records May 25th 2004. Amber Pacific will be playing 30 dates of this summers Warped Tour on the Take Action Stage. And are looking to record their first full length in late 2004. The disc may be called Fading Days, but with it, Amber Pacific is leaving little to chance as it embraces the future.
