Just A Memory

One group of Syracuse-based musicians have grown by working their asses off, always pushing for that next level, and simply creating a road map and following their dreams. - David Garlow/ Upstate Metal

"The songs all have energy and a very new sound . . .
The sound and energy that I hear only make me want to see them perform even more and eagerly wait for their next CD. This band cares about what they do and it shows in the finished product." - Examiner

yracuse radio station 95X welcomed summer with a dose of hard hitting rock n’ roll that carried into the night. Just A Memory (formerly known as Augustine) got the ball rolling with their unique symphonic rock sound. The band was added to the show with a mere 24 hours notice, following the news that Adakain had to cancel, but showed no signs of ill preparation. The Syracuse natives played with an aggressive and high energy style which was tough to match throughout the evening. Joe Dimaggio’s vocals were well executed throughout the performance, and were complimented well by vocalist Leila Dean. Another highlight of their set (and the band) was the implementation of the electric violin as performed by Leila – this component really sets Just A Memory apart from the crowd. - Full Spectrum Rock

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. - Full Spectrum Rock

Local band Augustine has recently been rechristened as Just a Memory. And along with the new name comes a new EP they will soon be recording at J.A. Castle Studios, 2317 Genesee St., in Utica. The band feels more prepared than ever.

“We’re on a fast track now,” says vocalistviolinist Leila Dean. “We want to get things done really quickly so people who have been waiting for music can have it in their hands. It’s really exciting. We’re ready.”

The band decided to make the moniker switcheroo when they began running into other outfits also named Augustine. Since another Augustine from New York City already had the name federally trademarked, the locals made the change to Just a Memory.

“We all have our own interpretation of the name,” Dean says. “For me it’s that the moment you’re living in is the only moment that’s not just a memory in your life. Every second that passes becomes a memory and that’s what life is all about.”

As Augustine, the band recorded the EP, but found the quality wasn’t nearly what they needed to mix it properly and had to throw out what they had done. This time, they’re hoping to do things right.

The group topped a Band Wars contest in Utica in January and won the grand prize: 20 hours of recording time at J.A. Castle. They’ll begin recording mid-month and plan on mixing and mastering the EP at SubCat Studios, 219 S. West St. The band is also keeping their schedule full with shows throughout the surrounding area in June and an East Coast tour in July spanning Virginia to Massachusetts.

For founding member, guitarist and lead vocalist Joey DiMaggio, all the new developments of the band are a dream. “Everything’s happening at once, everything’s coming together,” he says. “It’s insanity, trying to get things to a national level. And even though we didn’t have a choice with the name change, it’s worked to our advantage.” - Syracuse New Times/ Jessica Novak

It became official in late May.
Augustine is now known as Just a Memory.
"Over the course of last year, we have been through a lot of changes," reports violinst and singer Leila Dean.
Dean joins lead singer and guitarist Joey DiMaggio, lead guitarist and backup sinter Nathan Hopper, bassist Rob Fehrman and drummer Joe Culotti.
The band accumulated an impressive resume while working as Augustine. It opened for Cold and Nonpoint, opened for Tantric twice, opened for Framing Hanley, opened for Saving Abel ...
Yes, you could say Augustine was a go-to band for Syracuse shows.
With the addition of Dean's atmospheric violin sound and vocal harmonies, now you could say they're going to other places.
In July, Just a Memory will tour the northeast with Shattered Envy and Autumn Fire, two Utica bands. Musicians from all three outfits have become friends.
In mid-June, they'll record at J.A. Castle recording studio in Utica; the band won 20 hours of studio time there when it won a battle of the band contest in Utica in January. They'll also record some, as well as mix and master the EP, at SubCat Music Studios in Syracuse's Armory Square.
You can catch the live Just a Memory show at 9 p.m. Friday at Mac's Bad Art Bar in Mattydale as part of the Born Again Rebels' eighth anniversary show, at 3 p.m. Saturday at Rutger Park in Utica, and at 8 p.m. Saturday at Mr. McGill's Eating and Drinking Establishment in Utica.
The last Syracuse show before the short tour in July will be at 9 p.m. July 8 at Station 58. The next night Just a Memory will be at Geared Up Rock Bar in Virginia Beach, and then it's on to Jermyn, Pa., and Worcester, Mass. - Mark Bialczak/The Post-Standard