‘They offer a big slab of unapologetic rockisms’, is how Narc Magazine described alt pop-rock band, Elephant Memoirs. The band, a three piece from Gateshead, UK, formed in late 2013 and is made up of John Aspinall (Guitar & Vocals), Barry Drew (Drums) and Carl Aspinall (Bass).

Their new EP ‘Broken Jagged Edges’ released on the 14/10/16, succeeds in amplifying the bands unique raw sound of, ‘A driving powerful rhythm section, with aggressive guitar and bold vocal melodies’. Recent magazine/blog articles have seen the band being likened to bands such as Placebo, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Pulled Apart By Horses and Drenge.

Over the last 12 months Elephant Memoirs have released a single and their first EP, played a number of headline shows and also provided support slots for many touring bands around the region too. This has helped them grow and to attract interest from a much wider audience. Coupled with regular airplay on various radio stations across the globe, they are currently on rotation on American, French and UK radio stations. They have also had multiple plays on local BBC Radio and been handpicked by Tom Robinson, to feature on his BBC Radio 6 show, Fresh On The Net. They hope the release of their new EP will help gain further interested and build on the foundations they already have.

John Aspinall (guitar/vocals) answered our questions.

What is your all-time favorite song ?

All time fav song is really hard. Don’t have one, it all depends on my mood, and that can change by the second!! But lets say “Under Pressure” by Queen, it’s almost perfect. Ask me again tomorrow for a different answer.

Which song is perfect for a Road Trip?

I don’t drive so don’t really do road trips. Hmm “Cars” by Gary Newman because it is about cars.

To which song do you like to clean?

I like to clean to Dirt by Elephant Memoirs. Because it has a good rhythm which gives me the moves to get into all of those hard to reach places!

What’s the perfect song to wake up with?

It’s nice to wake up to God Save The Queen (the actual national anthem too NOT the Sex Pistols song). It gets me all hyped up for another patriotic day.

What’s your favorite artist from your home city?

The Wildhearts originate from our area and they are amazing. They blend massive metal riffs with the poppiest of hooks. And they kick arse! Brilliant live too.

Which artist do you think is too underrated and which one is overrated?

Actually The Wildhearts are massively underrated. And also Weezer, people see Weezer as just a few songs from their first album but they are so much more.
I think The Who are overrated, I just don’t get it.

If you could be one artist for a day, who would that be?

I would be Lady Gaga on a Wednesday because that’s when I take the rubbish bin out and it would be fun to do that as her.

What’s the best song to make love to? (…to ask someone out?)

I like to make love to me singing ‘John is a god!’ over and over again. I use it all the time except on a Wednesday when I sing Poker Face.

What’s the most beautiful lyric you’ve ever heard?

‘Do you realize that everyone you know some day will die?’ Flaming Lips – Do You Realize? Because it is good, that’s it.

At which place would you love to play a concert?

I would love to play a gig at the Pontiac Silverdome because that is where Hulk Hogan slammed Andre The Giant at Wrestlemania 3.

Find the band here: Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Youtube