Hot Rock From The Islands

With a huge fan base and a new album mastered by a guy who worked with The Beatles, rockers National Product are set to explode on the national scene

Friday - May 25, 2007
By Melissa Moniz
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Rocking Anchorage in June 2006

They had six guys living in a one-bedroom place, and penny-pinching was their way of life. The group reminisces that they couldn’t even afford Top Ramen and were forced to buy the alternative, called Smack, from a 99-cent store.

“It tasted like cardboard,” says Moniz,"and no one had cars. It was terrible. It was tough.”

The boys can now laugh about their days of cardboard saimin and sleeping on the floor. But they all do still live together in a house in Huntington Beach.

“We have nine people, because there’s six people who are in the band living in one house and a few other roommates,” says Moniz. “I think that takes a toll on us being in the same house.”

The nice thing is that they no longer have day jobs and can comfortably say they are able to be full-time musicians. A notable achievement, considering the illegal downloading and competitiveness of the business.

“Everyone right now is completely involved with the band,"says Caveney, the band’s drummer. “There used to be things like going to the beach and other passions,but we’re at a place now where there’s so many aspects that are coming into play, like the business, touring, merchandising. So there’s no space for side hobbies, but we’re not bummed about it because we love it and it’s so much fun.”

What hasn’t changed is the reciprocated loyalty of the band to its fans.Their myspace website even features a fan of the week.

Rob Caveney bangs away on the Warped Tour in
June 2005

“Our fans are so deeply connected to us,"says Casler."When we travel, we don’t bother getting hotels when we can hang out and stay with our fans. And we don’t mind sleeping on a floor when we could totally have a nice hotel room. It’s not about that - it’s about having that personal connection.To me, that’s what music is about, impacting someone’s life on a deeper level.”

In fact, the guys hope to impact lives beyond those who listen to their music. They eventually would like to give back to Hawaii schools, beginning with Kalaheo High School."When we first performed at Kalaheo, my teacher made me sign a contract that said if the band ever got to a successful level that we were able to give back, that we would replace her room with new computers, new furniture and books,"says Casler."We wanted to take it to a new step,and we’re starting Project NP,and a big goal of ours is to replenish what we can within the Hawaii school system and expand the music department.”

Through their music, community efforts and even their group name, National Product strives to spread a positive message, and be positive role models.

“Our name, National Product, is kind of a play on words of basically thinking for yourself and rising above any situation that you come from, and not being a product of your environment,” says Casler."You know how people will blame parents and say my life sucks? No. You create your own destiny. You have the power to be who you want to be. And in that sense, you also have the power to help others realize their light and help them shine. It’s more of awareness.”

If all goes well, the guys also hope someday to be allowed the opportunity to move back to Hawaii because, as Caveney nicely sums it up, “California is the place of business, but Hawaii is always home.”

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