Doomed Confessionary: Joe & Rob (Ambergris)
Ambergris is an instrumental stoner/doom metal duo from Providence, Rhode Island.
Founded in 2020, Ambergris features members of Adrenochrome, Gut Bucket, Supergoria, Thrashwitch, Cynical Optimism & more. The band’s discography consists of self-titled debut EP (February 2023) and stand-alone single »Grey Amber« (April 2025).
Ambergris are Joe Bernard on guitar/bass and Rob Cinami on drums.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Joe: Loud. Heavy. Tone. Two Guys. At least those are the ones I hear most often.
Rob: We’re just two curmudgeons making abrasive music.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Joe: For me definitely going from a trio to a duo, figuring what we can play without losing to much, we had to put a few songs back in the stash. Fortunately I had already been working on a stereo amp set-up so we’re able to keep a relatively full sound. I’m always changing up amps and effects, but octaves and harmonizers are always a part of it. Octave reverbs, octave fuzzes… You get the idea.
Rob: I’d have to say booking shows. We’re 100% D.I.Y. music/artwork/printing our own shirts. So, without management or a booking agent, it can be difficult to get decent gigs.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Joe: Overcoming the aforementioned challenge. And really anytime we play a good gig and people enjoy it.
Rob: Being a diamond in the rough. Ambergris is its own thing.
What was your biggest regret?
Rob: Hmm, not really a regret. I’d like to see us record more, but that’s a time and budget thing.
Joe: NO RAGRETS. Not even one.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Joe: Opening for Mondo Generator and getting to meet Nick Oliveri. I started as a bass player and Queens Of The Stone Age’s »Songs For The Deaf« is one of my all time favorite albums.
Rob: We recently played a last minute gig that turn out way better than we expected. A lot a people that hadn’t heard us before, all vibing to our tunes. I live for that kind of energy, when the band and crowd are locked into the chaos together.
What was the biggest surprise in the music scene for you?
Rob: Anytime anyone likes us is surprising to me hahaha!
Joe: Not sure what is surprising to me at this point, but the slow recovery for live music post-covid has certainly been disappointing.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Rob: As of late… Zao – »The Crimson Door«, Zu – »Carboniferous« and Conan – »Monnos«, other than that mostly old school hard rock and metal of all varieties.
Joe: Slomatics, Thou, Dopethrone, Graveyard and Cough.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Joe: Whatever it was I wasn’t listening.
Rob: “Anybody can play. The note is only 20 percent. The attitude of the motherfucker who plays it is 80 percent” – Miles Davis
What are your guilty pleasures?
Joe: Don’t have any, but if I did it would be Burger King double cheeseburgers, Narragansett lager and Thin Lizzy!
Rob: Weed. In all its glorious variations. That and Mango Madness Monster energy drink. It’s a serious fuckin’ problem.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Providence / Rhode Island?
Rob: I plead the 5th.
Joe: It used to be awesome. When I was 19 I lived in Phoenix and met a few guys from San Diego who were jealous that I was from Providence.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Joe: In and around Providence.
Rob: Ambergris is currently seeking to book some gigs for late summer and this fall. Hit us up!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Rob: We’re hoping to put together a full-length by years end or early ’26. Slap together a collection of our EP, single and maybe two more tunes on one album. Maybe get on a small lable or at least get a distribution deal of some kind.
Joe: Playing sick loud riffs that people can have a good time banging their heads to.
How can people best support your band?
Joe: Come to our shows, but our merch and say nice things about us.
Rob: Our Instagram would be your best bet. All our links and so one and so forth are on there, along with weed humor, musical shenanigans and general tomfoolery.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Rob: We are truly humbled by any support we receive. Thank you.
Joe: We love both of you, equally.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well