Hellaphant is a 4 pc angst driven, band from London Ontario, Canada. Formed 5 yrs ago. The new album, “Crumble and Rise” is best described as your favourite, sweet, bubblegum filled with jagged rocks and shards of glass. Hard driving songs about life & loss and mental health struggles, presented by pounding drums, loud driving guitars, with vocal melodies influenced by 90’s power pop punk.
The band is made up of seasoned musicians from the S/W Ontario area.Founded by Garrington Begner with a friend 5 yrs ago, after a hiatus from music, the band took shape. The band has had a few changes since the beginning to land on this solid line up. Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist- Garrington (Gary) Begner, Bassist- Chris Arenburg, Lead Guitarist- Jason Holmes and Drummer- Scott Cameron. The album was produced and mixed by Simon Larochette (Sugar Shack, London) and Hellaphant. Mastered by Harry Hess (Hraem Scarem) at Hbomb Mastering. Released on Faster and Louder Records.
Introduce us to the band! What are your names and what do you do in the band?
Jay Holmes and I play lead guitar.
Where do you call home?
London Ontario Canada
2. How long have you been together as a band and how did you find each other?
I only joined the band last year. I had heard them before and was a fan so when they posted an add that they were looking for a new lead guitarist I jumped at the opportunity and started learning the tunes right away. The night after my audition I was in the studio with the guys!
3. Do you have a special songwriting recipe you follow?
Gary (singer/rhythm guitarist) just keeps coming up with new “bones” for songs all the time. I just try to keep up and add my own flavour to the lead parts.
4. How would members of your family describe your music to someone that hasn’t heard it?
Members of my family? Hmmmm…. Depends on which family members. Most would say it’s loud and heavy but the younger family members would say it’s like 90’s Skatepunk.
5. What do you have on your(Spotify) playlists you would be embarrassed for others to see?
Maybe “thinkin bout somethin” by Hanson? Hahaha… I’m also a fan of Weird Al Yankovic.
6. Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I don’t eat much on show days. I feel more energetic when I don’t eat much all day. Also, I’m not really a drinker, but I do have a shot of Jäegermeister about 10 min before I hit the stage.
7. Who have you met that has left you starstruck?
The guys from A Wilhelm Scream. Maybe not as much “star struck” as just in awe. Those guys are absolutely incredible. And such incredibly nice people!
8. What do you consider your greatest achievement as far as a band?
Definitely our new LP Crumble & Rise. We’re very proud of how it turned out. It was a great experience recording at The Sugar Shack Recording Studio with Simon Larochette. We blew a few amps in the process getting the guitar tone just right.
9. What key elements do you believe makes up a successful song?
I have always been a sucker for a great guitar riff but I’m learning as I get older, that lyrics are important too. Something I really didn’t understand when I was younger. When songs have great riffs AND great lyrics…. The best!
10. When writing, how do you know when it is finally done?
Not until it’s recorded and mastered. We find inspiration when recording sometimes and make adjustments and changes even after we thought it was “done”.
11. What song of yours are you most proud of? Got The Mime. There were a couple of tunes where we started finding where my playing style overlapped with the sound of the band. This was one of those songs. It just started to click recording this one and Digits.
12. Is it possible to be on the road and not eat junk food? How do you keep it leveled out?
I think it’s easier now than ever. There are so many healthier alternatives to fast food now. I do still eat junk food of course… but it’s not due to a lack of options.
13. Are you able to write while on the road or do you need a calm familiar space like home?
When I’m creating my parts I do prefer to be in a calm familiar space but ideas hit when they want to sometimes.
14. What’s the most embarrassing thing to happen on stage or on tour?
I get car sick if I don’t take Gravol. I forgot to take it once and we had to stop and I puked all over a walllmart parking lot. The guys were great about it but it was embarrassing for sure.
15. What can BleachBANGS do to help you in any way?
Thank you so much for this interview for starters! Any promotion of our album and/or our social media would be awesome!
