Interviews: Hellaphant

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock/Pop Punk band, Hellaphant from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

The name was a play on the 90’s skate term that popped up in metal “Hella” “Hella Cool” “hella shitty” etc and then many years ago my brain clicked with “hellaphant” so I wrote it down in my book of random writings to be used later. Here we are today. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Most of us have listened to rock and pop punk for many years and it was just the sound that always made sense to us as a way of expression; energetic music is fun to play.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Our bassist and drummer have known each other since high school, they both played in bands but this is the first time playing together. Otherwise, it was really the band that brought us together to discover our similarities and differences, band mates are certainly like friends and even family because you end up spending a lot of time together.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Scott (drummer) really likes Jawbreaker, Lifetime, and older hardcore. Chris (bass) loves NOFX and Rancid Jay (lead guitar) likes the Foos and Frank Turner Garrington (guitar/vocals) like Early Testament and Metallica as well as the Replacements and Big Drill Car

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Other bands' music definitely inspires us, life in general. Most of the songs are influenced by what’s been affecting us and our circle of friends. Mental health has been the main topic if this album cause shit is not easy.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last one was here in our hometown, it’s a bowling alley that has lots of bands play normally Friday and Saturday nights, they treat the bands really well and pay them well which is more than we can say for most bars and venues so I wish them all the success. 

7. Where would you like to perform?

I think it would be a neat experience to play in a large venue or festival, just for something different, but we feel comfortable and at home in small stages and clubs, I find those shows can be a lot of fun when there is the interaction between the band and the crowd you certainly lose that intimacy with huge shows. 

8. Whom would you like to perform with?

It’s great to play with the legendary bands who have been around for a while and made their mark, they have paved the way and given us inspiration. 

9. Whom not? 

Ha, we are pretty open to playing with almost any band, we can be heavier and more aggressive than some but certainly not as heavy as others, we fit in the middle and blend well I think. as far as really not wanting to play with a band I guess if they are extremely not the same genre like country or hip hop or something bizarre might be weird, and we certainly wouldn’t want to play with or support a band that has extreme political views that we don’t agree with, racists, sexist hateful type stuff for example.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

Ha, I think for the most part we are all fairly introverted and not your typical showman entertainer types so we hope the music will do the talking for us, big crowds can be a little anxiety-inducing but usually when the music kicks in its a good vibe and the rehearsing comes into play so muscle memory takes over, but I would be lying if I said I had zero stage fright just not to a point where it’s a problem, fortunately for me though I get to hide behind the drums. That comes with the advantage of some protection for a shy guy but then also the anynomitity being the drummer can bite you in the ass because you are not so visible people might not notice you and that can hurt the ego of a Leo-like me. ;-) 

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Gary: A Whilhelm Scream. We opened for them recently and were blown away by the overall band. Great players,tight, great songs but some of the nicest people we’ve met in our careers. They out niced us and that’s pretty hard. 

Scott: for me, I would say it's not so much one band as a lot of ’80s and 90’s punk and hardcore bands. 

Gary: pretty much anyone who does this with originality and being a dick is inspiring to me.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

I haven’t been asked for anything weird from fans but I have had other bands I’ve played with ask to borrow sticks.. ok I get it you are traveling from outta town and you don’t want to bring all your gear but not even sticks!? really!? it was a band that went on to be fairly successful fun surprisingly enough. (Gary) as of this date, it’s been pretty tame. We get asked to take pics with people or sign stuff. 

13. What do you think of your fans? 

We love them more than they love us, so glad they give us a chance and dig what we are doing. 

14. What do you think of our site? 

Good site. Easy to use and follow.

15. Something to add? 

Thanks for the interview check out our Album and feel free to reach out to us. Hellaphantcdn@gmail.com www.hellaphant.ca