Today we interview the band Hellaphant who emphasise their love of performing live and their dream to tour the world.
Band Name: Hellaphant
Members: Gary Begeroni (vocals, guitar), Jason Homey (lead guitar, vocals), Scott “sticks” Cameron (percussion) & Chris Arenburg (bassist)
Genre: punk rock
Founded: 2018
Originated From: London, Ontario, Canada
How would you describe your music?
We are a fast melodic 90s band playing in 2023. People seem to love our sound, it touches on the nostalgic feel of today, brought on by such great shows as Stranger Things and stuff like that. The songs all have a deep personal meaning to Gary, but also to anyone, as anyone can listen to what’s being said and you can take what you need from the music, happy, sad, angry all the emotions of real life are in our music.
What is your musical creative process like?
For writing, Gary works on a melody for a vocal line first. Build around that. It’s usually a skeleton of a song when he brings it to the guys and then we work out our parts and the arrangement. As it grows, it can change and some are just like a lightning strike and it is written in a couple of minutes.
How did the band form?
Gary had the band formed and then went on vacation and came back to find the other members of the band at that time had all had enough of each other and everyone quit except a guy called Jordan. He was playing lead guitar when Chris joined the band. Scott came on board about two weeks after Chris, and then we had another guitarist joined us briefly until we found Jay. We have had some people come and go and we just keep building the Hellaphant family.
How did you come up with your band name?
The name has been in Gary’s books for a very long time. It was influenced by California skate and Metal culture. “Hella” was used as a precursor to words. Hello cool, hella rad, hella tough and hellaphant just came to his brain one day. He jotted it down and when he started this band it needed a name. He had the logo designed (from a long time ago as well) so he used it.
Who influenced you within the music industry?
Mostly the other local musicians we have worked with over the years. Playing with different people makes you a better musician. And Gary’s friends have always egged or helped push us along.
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
We have performed live a lot, it’s our favorite thing actually. There really isn’t anything like making connections and making new friends from the stage. The music sounds great in your ears, but feels better live with the bass rumbling through your chest.
We live that energy when we play live. Our favourite gig so far was opening for A Wilhelm Scream. Some of the nicest guys. We learned a lot from that opportunity on how to be a better band live and just as people.
What is the best thing about being in a band?
We have to say the live shows and all the different fascinating people we meet in the world while on the road playing shows.
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician(s)?
It’s allowing myself to have more fluidity when it comes to booking or arranging dates and shows. Lots of people want to blow smoke up your ass but we don’t smoke so it’s been a challenge for us and being blocked from shows because of drama reasons. It’s so frustrating.
What is your ultimate dream as a band?
To be playing sold-out arena shows all around the world. To bring our friends and family with us out on the road to make it as much fun as we can. That’s the goal and plan. We’re here for a good time not a long time.
You can find out more about Hellaphant by visiting their website and following them on Instagram.
If you’re in a band or a musician and would like to appear on this blog, please contact me and I’ll forward you an interview template.
Also, check out my other Music Interview roundups from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022.
