Hellaphant interview 29.04.23
MM: Can you tell us about your Band and who’s your biggest influences
H: Too me personally, Chris Arenburg, Bassist of Hellaphant. Fat Mike is a huge influence, he’s a good bass player, but a great business mind for what he has been able to accomplish. But I’m just 1 member of the band and each guy has their own biggest influences. As a Band Hellaphant is a great collection of various musical origins. Gary, Scott, Jason, and I all have a long history of playing in bands from the 80s and 90s and on To me Hellaphant, is about having the best time you can, because were here for a good time not a long time, as there isn’t much time left. But overall We have a good mix of 90 emo/skate punk and some seasoning of energy that has been missing from music lately.
MM: Where do you draw your inspirations and ideas from
H: Our inspirations come from real life. Everything you hear in the lyrics are real tings that had real consequences in all our lives. but there really isn’t anything more inspirational then life.
MM: What would you say is your Bands favourite song ?
H: Right now I think Orphan is everyone fave, atm. Perhaps Maybe Pain as we do have a pretty sic vid for that one, The song deals with dealing with mental issues and hiding them inside us until we're alone. The Video was shot by Chris Forest, Sept 19, 2021 in London Ontario
MM: Plans tour and festival wise for 2023
H: Right now we have an East coast Tour in the works, going to be playing New Brunswick and maybe Quebec or Nova Scotia, just depends of the Atlantic currents. But that and playing through Ontario and Quebec as much as possible supporting the Album.
MM: What can we expect from Hellaphant live
H: Live you can expect to feel the song with us as were laying it down. Were loud, fun, and we have lots of great audience participation spots in a bunch of our songs, it gives everyone a chance to be a part of the night.
MM: What do you like best and worst abt touring
The worst is just being away from home, The best is all the new fans and people you meet along your path. Again we are all travlling down the road together so its about the paths you cross and the connections you make.
MM: Which three Bands would be your ultimate touring buddies
H: again we would all have 3 different touring friends so it would be interesting to get everyones opinion on that, but for me 1. Drop Kick Murphys 2. NOFX 3. Rancid
MM: What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment so far with
Getting the opportunity to open for A Wilhelm Scream and the Anti-Queens at Rumrunners In London, On. Just a great bunch of people and great night everyone was feeling the vibes.
MM: Which are your Two favourite Albums of all time
H: Again Me, Chris Arenburg, 2 of my fave albums of all time , 1 The Beatles Help. 2 Linkin Parks One More Light
MM: Can you remember the first time you ever played live and how it felt to have people watching you?
H: I can remember that. The Bar was called The Electric Banana, Owned by Steve Stunning of 63 Monroe. Anyway we just went in and asked if we could play a matinee sometime and Scott or someone said teah ok , so we got a Saturday or Sunday afternoon like 3-6 all ages show.and on that same bill was scotts band, So I played my first live show with our drummer Scott. This is 1991 or 1992. . Anyway it was sort of terrifying in a way as I wanted to play the best I could, and I did the best I could and I got over it soon eoough. I would do it again.
MM: Growing up which Bands posters did you have on your bedroom wall.
Run DMC, Beastie Boys, & Sex Pistols
MM - Who do you think influenced the world of Metal / Rock more than any other person
H: Metallica, they brought metal rock to the masses more so than anyone else so for that reason alone they have to be the most influential.
MM - What's the most important thing to the band right now?
H: Building The Hellaphant name, plays shows, making fans, making connections with people and having the best time doing it.
MM:If you could do a cover of any song which one would it be and why?
H: Funny That you say that, because we just might have something in the works for a cover release later this year. So that’s all I can say about that.
MM: Tell us why we should buy and listen to your Band
H: You sould buy and listen to us, so that you too can live and feel with us. .for me its all about being a part of something you want yell at your boss or just need to escape we our music offers you the chance to sing that out like in digits. So we hope you have buckled up and enjoyed the ride.
MM: Four words to describe Hellaphant
Raw, Real, Alive, and sometimes angry
Final Words for your fans and our readers
We would like to thank everyone that has helped us out so far and all the people who have been listening and loving it. Hope to see soon at our next nearest show.
