Interview: Just A Memory

Syracuse rockers Just A Memory (formerly known as Augustine) have been hard at work in the studio putting together a new EP, and were recently a last minute addition to the Crossfade and Emphatic show at The Lost Horizon. Frontman Joe Dimaggio caught up with Full Spectrum Rock regarding the new material and what’s ahead for the band.

The band was formerly known as Augustine, and recently was relabeled as Just A Memory. Why the name change and how was the new name selected?

The name change came about when we tried to copyright the name. We were in fact one of dozens of Augustine’s in the nation, one of which had the federal copyright to the name. After much deliberation, and hundreds of names written on sheets upon sheets of paper, we decided to take the inevitable head on. We no longer could be known as “Augustine”, and we had to come up with a name that represented “us” without abandoning what we had already accomplished. So we called “Augustine” what it was…. Just A Memory.

Prior to the name change, the band has had the opportunities to share the stage with numerous national acts in a club setting and even open for 95X’s Summer Bang last year. Could you talk about those events?

Over the last three years, we have played with countless national acts and opened the 95X Summer Bang. Not only have we gotten to meet most of the bands that are played [on] every radio we own repeatedly on a daily basis, but they also helped us grow as a band. The bands would all talk to us, and give us constructive criticism, and really helped us evolve into the band that we are today.

Just A Memory stand out from the crowd by implementing the electric violin and establishing a symphonic rock sound in a way. Could you comment on that?

Previous to Leila being in the band, it was for all intensive purposes a modern rock band. The music was reminiscent of many of the modern rock bands that are heard in usual rock radio rotation. Leila joined us one night to help record a track on our second demo called “This Time Around.” We had her lay down some backup vocals and several violin tracks. We went home and listened to the track repeatedly and even carried on without her for some time. During a “reconstruction” period, Leila became more involved with the live shows. It was during this period that we started getting a strong response from our fans. We had inadvertently developed a “Symphonic Rock” sound that soon came to define us in the area.

The band was added to the Crossfade and Emphatic show at The Lost Horizon 24 hours beforehand following the news that Adakain had to cancel. How do you prepare with such short notice?

To be exact, it was 20 hours… and like many other rock bands after a long week. We were functioning on Monster energy drink and other forms of hydration.

It was mentioned that the band is currently in the studio working on new material. How has recording been up to this point?

Excellent! We just finished tracking at J.A. Castle Studios in Utica, NY. It was truly a wonderful experience and they run a top notch studio. We are currently mixing and mastering the tracks at Subcat Studio in Syracuse. The tracks are sounding great so far.

Can you talk a little about the album and when it is expected to be released?

The EP should be ready for release very shortly. The tracks that we chose are some of our higher energy songs, and basically all of the songs we see our fans screaming when we are on stage. We are working tirelessly to obtain a high level of diversity within the song compilation to ensure that everyone has something to enjoy on the album. Our fans can keep an eye on the progress at www.facebook.com/justamemorymusic.

Just A Memory will be heading out on a short run of dates in July throughout the Northeast with Shattered Envy and Autumn Fire, both from the Utica area. How excited are you about that tour?

We are ecstatic! It’s really exciting to get out of Syracuse and bring your work to others. This is what we love, and to be able to travel and do it is really a wonderful feeling.

What else can we expect from Just A Memory in the remainder of 2011?

Once we put out the EP, the remainder of the year will be a lot of hard work touring in support of the CD, and playing countless clubs.

Thanks so much for your time! Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you Pat!

Follow Just A Memory on their social networks to keep updated. Also, be on the lookout for new music and shows from the band. I’d like to thank Joe again for keeping Full Spectrum Rock filled in on all things Just A Memory.

Facebook | MySpace