LA.CityZine brings you the laid back band, The Pacific, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. After hearing their name, your first thoughts may gravitate towards where the Pacific is, what its beaches are like and how close it is to the city. The band with same name, pulls those same enjoyable vibes from SoCal and brings you the breezy side of Los Angeles in their music. Enveloped in the honest, good old fashioned rock and roll fun, their sound brings a familiar vibe to all who live under the sun. Untainted by the grimey hands of the entertainment industry, The Pacific manages to pull together sounds of pure creativity without being too worried about the pressures of Hollywood eyes. They do this exceptionally well with their feel good rock harmonies, videos and silly personas they let loose as musicians who are anything but pretentious. Issues are dealt with in their lyrics as any band addresses important matters, but they do this without coming off as jaded. Staying true to themselves, their music proves you can still make a statement without becoming overbearing but empowering instead.

To truly get this feeling, I strongly suggest going to their show at Mr. T’s Bowl tonight. Take in a few of their songs and take in all the good of LA and push out the bad. Plus, it’s FREE! The guys of The Pacific are just down to earth guys who happen to put on a good show. Proof for the first part: Read the interview below with Pacific’s own lead vocalist and guitarist, Curt Barlage. Proof for the second part. You have to go see the show. Enjoy the interview and their brand new video, “Bad One Gets Away.”

“Got It Made Burn LA” includes the lyrics, “I wanna burn LA/Getting paid/Getting laid/You’ve really got it made.” Where did that string of thought come from?

That thought was brewed up by a just a tiny dash of angst and oppression. It’s one of those lyrics coming from years of growing up somewhere as you watched the transplants move in to your town with the wrong idea. It pretty much describes the sad situation of the entertainment industry around here and a lot of the negativity that surrounds it. Things like money, greed, power and all that exciting stuff… the usual.

So why does your band have the same name as the ocean?

It’s very regional, isn’t it? When naming this band, we wanted to have a title that would represent us and something that would tell you in a word where we come from. It’s a name that pops up all around our area; on trains, street signs, businesses, etc. Why not take it for our own?

What part of LA are you guys from?

We all live near downtown. I’m from Redondo and Mike and Sammy are east coasters. Pittsburgh and New York, I think.

LA is one of the biggest cities in the US to have an abundance of bands trying to make it. How does this fact affect the band’s growth?

Well…it’s good and bad. The bad part is, obviously, getting lost in the mix. It’s definitely a struggle. In my opinion, L.A.’s not such a “musical town” yet. It’s still more of a “film town.” The stereotype is half-way true, people don’t get into live music here the way they do in other parts of the country or world. I think because of the good quality of a few new bands out here, things will soon change and L.A. will get put on the music map…besides the mediocrity or less of things like Motley Crue, Guns and Roses and The Red Hot Chili Peppers… Ouch.

How did all of you meet?

Mike and I met at an Oasis show a while back…2002. Maybe. We met Sammy randomly at this little bar somewhere on the westside. It’s all very hazy if the word bar is mentioned, but I think that’s how we met.

What three songs would you have to have on a beach party mixed CD?

If it were someone else’s tunes, I’d have to say “Trenchtown Rock” by Bob Marley, “Under Me Sleng Teng” by Wayne Smith. Really dig that old Jamacian sound, especially outdoors. Last but not least would be “K Ok,” by Sergeant. They’re this new group from Scotland - really great tune. If it were ours, well I don’t really listen to my own music, unless we just recorded it. I don’t sit in a limo and bang out my catalog like Prince supposedly does. That would be too much ego.

The life of a musician is tough. What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to learn in the music business so far?

Who and how to trust - hands down, hardest lesson. We’ve already gone through a lot of sour business and haven’t even touched the surface of our career. Lots of people are not very nice in this business of entertainment (as mentioned in “Got It Made, Burn L.A.”) and are out there for themselves only. Although, there are a ton of great souls who want to help you. You just need to learn from experience.

How did you hook up with director Steve Lee for your new video, “Bad One Gets Away?”

Steve Lee is a badass…and a great friend, soccer-match going buddy, drinking buddy, you name it. We’ve known him for some time now. Freindship came first with this one then the videos, music and all that after.

In your blog, you posted a text message from one of your friends. This makes you guys seem really down to earth and stripped down. Are you guys just one big group of silly guys who happen to make really good music?

Ha! That was from Steve Lee! I’d like to think of ourselves as funny! We’re definitely easy-going and down to earth. We like our freinds and we like making new ones. It’s appealing to us to be in touch with our fans and not try and be too untouchable, you know, ziggy stradust-like. It’s too pretentious.

Which LA band are you guys really digging right now?

Hmm… there’s a few. Obviously, The Lost and Found. Aimee, who is subbing in as the bassist for us at the moment sings for that band. There’s My Machete who just opened up for us at our video premiere not too long ago. Love Grenades, because Liz is a great singer and entertainer! The Wallburds is another noteworthy rock and roll band.

What place or venue has been your favorite to play in LA so far?

The Echo is great! They’ve been very nice to us, the sound is fantastic, and it’s semi-close to home. Our good friend Larry does a club there every Friday called Underground. It’s become a little hub for us.

Dead or alive. What 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?

Well, I guess The Beatles would have to be in there. That band I mentioned before from Scotland, Sergeant. Oasis… it’s kind of a festival vibe to them anyway. The Rolling Stones of 1970… because they’re dead now and Jimi Hendrix, so he can do his national anthem thing at the beginning of the festival.

Quick Fire Round:
What is your current addiction?

Negra Modelo

Where is your favorite place to eat in LA?

I can’t tell you, or I might have to wait for a table next time.

What’s the best cure for a hangover?

That’s easy, more booze!

Gum or mints for fresh breath?

Both at the same time.

What’s the one thing you love most about LA that trumps anything else bad in LA?

The weather in the winter time.

What was the last song you played on your iPod or in your car?

“Geraldine” by Glasvegas.

Tell us one thing we probably don’t already know about you.

There’s lots of things you should know. You need to come see us to find out.

Photography courtesy of Steve Lee

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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