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Interview: Chris Thaung of Like Pacific

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Like Pacific are a pop-punk band from Toronto, Ontario. With the release of their new album and a tour with scene heavy-weights Neck Deep and State Champs slated for this month, the band are gearing up for a pretty busy 2016. Recently, Legendary Kids Press was able to speak with bassist Chris Thaung to discuss the year ahead.

How would you describe your music to those who have never listened to the band before?

Melodic and angry.

How did the band come together?

Jordan [Black, vocalist] actually started the band in 2010 with some friends from the area of Durham region, about 40 minutes from Toronto. They had some tough luck finding a dedicated bass player and, at the time, I had just come off being an inactive musician for two years. I threw up an ad on Craigslist, as did they, and we just kind [of] found each other. Both guitarists and drummer left about a year and a half ago, so Jordan and I relocated to Toronto and decided to take another stab at this, and here we are today.

You’re currently signed with Pure Noise Records. What made you opt to work with them, as opposed to another label?

From the get go, we have always wanted to be a Pure Noise band. They are arguably the best in the game right now with this particular genre. It was a perfect fit.

You’re from Toronto and have been able to play shows in front of both American and Canadian crowds. Would you say there’s a difference - if any - between the two?

I love Toronto and the scene here in Southern Ontario, but the crowds in America are just better. Kids from the States seem much more supportive and willing to check out every band on the bill, whereas here, there’s a lot of friend supporting, which is great showing up for your friend’s band, but stay for the whole show.

You’re heading out with State Champs, Neck Deep and Knuckle Puck as part of the bands’ world tour. What are you looking forward to, in regards to it?

We’re actually on our way to Montreal for the first date! Expecting nothing but the best of times on this tour. All three bands are amazing and we feel honoured to be opening up and setting the tone for the evening.

[editor’s note: the tour is currently ongoing. Dates can be found here]

Which show on the tour are you most excited to play?

Toronto, obviously. It’s the hometown show for us and it’s sold out. LA is also going to be pretty rad - The Roxy is a pretty legendary venue.

You’ll be releasing your highly-anticipated album, Distant Like You Asked, on February 19. What can fans expect?

10 tracks full of despair, anger, anxiety and frustration. Lots of melodies, harmonies and riffs. It took us six years to finally release a full-length and we think this record is like a culmination of everything we’ve released over the years. It’s got the pop sensibility of The Worst…, the anger and frustration of our Homebound EP, and the musicianship and polish of our self-titled EP from last year.

What was the recording process like? Did you approach anything differently this time around?

Like night and day compared to our previous releases. We actually got to take four or five days to do pre-production with our long-time producer/friend, Sam Guaiana. We also got to write and record two songs - “Hang” and “Worthless Case” - with another great producer in Toronto called Derek Hoffman. It was like having the best of the best working on the same record.

Where do you derive your lyrical inspiration from?

All of Jordan’s lyrics come from our past experiences and how it’s affected him or how he’s coping with it. We’ll never write a song about something that we’ve never gone through, it just wouldn’t feel right.

You’ve released a few tracks ahead of the album’s release. Did you expect the reaction they’ve received?

Absolutely. They’re all our collective favourites from a band and label standpoint.

What track are you most excited for fans to hear?

There’s a song called “Scarred”, which is the last song on the record. As a band, we think it’s one of the best songs we’ve ever written. We did a lot of different things on that song, but we still feel it’s us.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start a band, but doesn’t quite know where to begin?

Don’t worry about trying to get signed or “blow up”. Give it time, let your band grow naturally and people will catch on. Keep your head down and continue to grind.

Are there any local bands your recommend readers check out?

Coldfront, Prophets, Bearings, Parkside, Gutter, Heavy Hearts, Outsider, and Months & Years.

Any last words?

Thanks to anyone/everyone who’s ever stuck by our side. Hope you like our new record.

Like Pacific’s new album, Distant Like You Asked, is out February 19 via Pure Noise Records. Those wishing to follow the band on social media can do so by checking out their Facebook and Twitter.

By Clare Fitzgerald