Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Alec Strickland - Vocals and Guitar

Brett Carpenter - Guitar

Dustin Martin - Bass

Brian Perry - Drums

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The New Pacific? How long has the band been around?

We’ve been a band for about 3 jam packed years now. We all live in Los Angeles but we’re from all over the country. Alec is from Nashville, TN and played in punk rock bands Worker and Hifi-Driveby. Brett is from Delaware and played in Ancient Shores and My America Is Watching Tigers Die. Dustin is from Texas and has a music production background and works in country and hip hop with Project Pat from Three 6 Mafia. And BLP is from way up in Alaska and played in prog-metal band Cue The Crickets and The Battle Royale. So we all come from really different musical backgrounds and physical locations, which makes it really interesting working together.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

The New Pacific started off as a new rock project when Alec moved from Tennessee out to Los Angeles. It’s not only a new chapter to scratch a musical identity into, but a new blank page to really dig into and spill the ink across. We’re into coloring outside the lines with this.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

The songs generally start out as skeleton or riff ideas and we write together. Alec and Brett write the backbone and the band fills out the body. It usually starts as a simple sketch, then everyone comes in and breathes in life with their own color.

The theme for our last Cycle EP was the cyclical nature of existence. As we move further through this journey of life, we start to see patterns in the ebb and flow. We’re all wading in the tide of this world. Some days we’re at the top and the next day it could all come crashing down. But if you’re at the bottom, you know there’s hope in rising tomorrow.

This next set of songs deals a bit more literally with what’s going on in the world right now. How could you not be with everything going on in the news right now? There’s a lot of raw emotion and exploration of human nature to be dug into. And we’re digging deep.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

Honestly, one of the coolest parts about all being from different musical and physical backgrounds is we’re all into way different things. At different times, we’ll spark an idea inspired from a hip-hop act like Run The Jewels or a cool bridge instrumental inspired by a band like Sigur Ros or Radiohead. We dig into everything from Mastodon to Johnny Cash to Midtown to Thrice.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Over the years we’ve gotten to know the Jimmy Eat World guys and they’ve always been really kind and inspiring. We’ve loved their music for forever and they’re really inspiring to see play. They line up songs heavy jams like Bleed American and Futures next to ballads like Hear You Me and songs from their new record Integrity Blues. It’s just cool to see four solid dudes that absolutely love playing music really connect with people.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …

Our drummer BLP flexes a bunch haha. We all generally warm up and try and stretch. We’re a fairly chaotic sonic bomb of live show so stretching is definitely a good idea.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

A couple years back we played a set at Lollapalooza in Chicago during the afternoon then played another sold out show that night at The Metro with Death From Above 1979. Such a fun day. We also just jammed a packed free show with Alien Ant Farm. I mean, how could that not rule?

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

I think one band we all agree is one of our favorites is the band Thrice. They’ve done such a great job over the span of their career writing the kind of records they want and really evolving with time. Their arc as a band is so interesting and fun to watch unfold and they put on one of the most dynamic live shows out right now. Also, The Beatles. Obviously. We’re halfway there with the hair.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for having us, we really appreciate it. And we just want to encourage anyone that is interested in making art or having a voice to get out there and get in the garage and make it loud. We’ve all got one shot at this thing. If you’ve got something you really care about, don’t be afraid to dig in.

And if you get a chance, we’d love to see you out at a show and say hey. We’ve got dates and some free music up at http://www.thenewpacific.com

See you on the other side...