Elephant Memoirs

Ralph recently gave Gateshead Indie rockers Elephant Memoirs new single Mug a spin on his Radio KC Sunday Show and thought it'd be a good idea to take a look after some great feedback. 

Formed in 2013 by John Aspinall, Barry Drew and Carl Aspinall they've been working hard to create a catalogue of original material and successfully so in the case of Mug which kicks off with swirling guitar before thumping into a gritty vocal.

Elephant Memoirs have formed into a tight creative unit and are garnering no small amount of critical acclaim.








Likened to such luminaries as Biffy Clyro, Frank Turner, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Weezer the North East's Elephant Memoirs focus on a forceful guitar, bass and drum sound to to cover such diverse themes as love, prejudice, frustration and life in general. Similarities notwithstanding they're finding their own niche now.

In August of last year Elephant Memoirs hit the studios and recorded a four track demo which has gained airplay on radio stations worldwide. 

The tracks are accompanied by a selection of four original artworks by band member John.

More melodic than the likes of QOTSA their sound should see them acquire an ever increasing following both locally and beyond, especially with tracks like the punchy Dirt.








By far the strongest track of the four demos for me is was lyrically sound and melodically pleasing Champion Of The Universe.

Having individually been in several local bands previously, I'm certain as they work together and continue to develop their own sound they'll release more material and play gigs wider afield, acquiring a much wider fan-base. 

Definitely ones to watch.

Universal Thee

Edinburgh based five piece Universal Thee comprise of James Russell (guitar and vocals), the recently added (ex-Caravan Club) Lisa Russell (vocals) Robin Spivey (guitar) Sean Macdonald (bass) and Kevin Haddow (drummer) are known for their infectious hooks and uptempo songs.

Inspired in part by The Pixies and Weezer, strong melodies and stream of consciousness vocals make for an interesting and surprising live show, with burst of energy and aggresion counterpointed by gentler indie pop.  The band have been garnering quite a cult following.  Playing across most venues in Edinburgh including Get Cartered, Cabaret Voltaire and Electric Circus. The band have been recording with Garry Boyle and hope to release an album in Summer 2013.

Big news on the gig front is their playing the Steve Heron 'Picturesque' Video Screening Party on Thursday 29th March in Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh.  They'll be playing, among others their new track 'Tiger Tiger' (so good they named it twice) and the addition of Lisa has definitely added another lush layer to their sound.  It's a slightly more power pop injected track and certainly gives a hat tip towards their muse The Pixies.  If you want to hear it you'll just have to go to the gig!