Nam: I still think that it reflects the different backgrounds that we all kind of came from, you know. Like Thomas came from an Electronic and R&B background and Billy really likes... 

Billy: CELINE DION AND ELTON JOHN! 
[Everyone laughs]

Nam: And Ian, you know, was like into Metal and stuff and I like more Alternative Hard Rock.

Thomas: Bao is like 80’s boy.

Nam: 80’s, The Cure, Depeche Mode, and Pete is kind of like has a 90’s kind of feel to him. Like when you put all of our backgrounds into this apartment, I think that’s what you get.

Thomas: Yeah, our CD is a reflection of that.

NHA: It’s not that common to come across a band made up of all Asian-American members, have you guys faced ridicule or criticism for your music based on your ethnic race? 

Thomas: I’d have to say yes, in positive and in negative ways. Just like a couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with a friend of mine at a bar who asked me, “So, dude, why are you all Asian?” and I thought, that is such a weird question to ask. Is that something I should take offensively? Did he mean offense by it? Or was he just curious? And I just interpreted as the latter and said, “Well you know we started out being friends that were Asian and we just ended up this way, it’s not like it was something we were looking for, it was just who we were and it just happened that way.”

But being Asian is a really good thing, because we get invited to a lot of Asian events to play at and we feel like a part of the community. But one of the things I like most is that when people come up to us and say, “I’ve never seen an Asian band before” and this is what the band is about, it’s about forming our own identity.

I feel like when you don’t have a role model it’s kind of demoralizing. I grew up kind of almost hating myself for being Asian. I’ve always wanted to be a mainstream white person. I remember when I would walk ten feet in front of my grandfather when he would walk me home from school and totally being ashamed for who I was. I think we’re coming to a point in mainstream culture in America where we have Lucy Liu’s and Jackie Chan cartoons these days. People are starting to have role models that are Asian to look up to. I feel like we’re doing exactly that, hopefully, that’s what I really want to do as a part of this band. This isn’t about me anymore or about hanging out with a few of my friends. It’s more about where this bigger thing in the community is. 

NHA: Are all of you guys Vietnamese?

Pete: I’m half. 

Thomas: I’m like 86.25% Chinese and the rest Vietnamese.

NHA: Do any of you know how to speak Vietnamese? 

Thomas: Yeah. 

Bao: Yeah.

Pete: No.

Nam: Yeah.

Billy: Yeah.

Pete: I can count and I can order food. I’m still learning. 

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