I truly hope everyone on the British indie scene gets the following memo soon: Liverpudlian outfit, The Memos (what a brilliant name!), are the hottest indie quartet around. With just two singles under their belt, the four-piece are going from strength to strength and I will not be surprised if 2025 will see them playing not grass root venues but O2 academies. “Do You Believe” was released at the beginning of November but it took us 4 weeks to finally be able to feature it on our blog. Better late than never as they say, the track is our single of the month!
“Do You Believe” single cover, photography by Alex Hughes
Official bio: The Memos are an indie-rock band formed by Aaron Spencer, whose solo career has earned him acclaim for his soulful vocals and introspective lyrics, backed by Gary Robertson (Bass, Backing Vocals), Jake Freeman (Drums) and Zak Langford-Do (Lead Guitar). The Memos have been building momentum with a sold out headline gig at The Kazimier Stockroom and supporting Mexican Dogs at the 700 capacity venue Hangar34. The Memos further cemented their rising star status by playing on the main stage at The Boof Festival alongside The View and Shambolics. Their new single, “Do you believe” was released on 8th of November.
Before The Memos became a band, lead singer Aaron Spencer built himself a strong following. Watching those closest to himself going out, celebrating, falling in love and living their everyday lives, he wrote “Sticky Dancefloor”, “Flower” or “Incredible”, songs that brought him esteem and regard as a particularly gifted lyricist championing working class people. Now joined by Gary Robertson, Jake Freeman and Zak Langford-Do, the quartet is eyeing bigger and better things: touring, their debut EP and establishing themselves as a household name.
“Do You Believe” stands at 3 minutes and 3 seconds. It is the band’s second single after the pop influenced debut “Save Tonight”. “Do You Believe” has more guitars, more rock and roll spirit and heavier drumming than its predecessor but it is still very, very pop. I noticed that other reviewers are quickly classifying the song as an indie rock/Northern indie (a polite way of saying the group is a lads band) but I completely disagree. The Memos play rock music, they are also from Liverpool, so they will not escape those labels, unless they suddenly started playing 2 tone ska or doom metal. I personally would classify the track simply as a British alternative rock, quite classic, very early 2000 influenced. Comparing the Memos to Arctic Monkey is really a bad idea, both bands have absolutely nothing in common, even if Monkeys are indeed one of their influences.
The Memos by Alex Hughes
I hear more of Coldplay or the Killers in The Memos than for example Razorlight, who are very psychedelic, garage and post punk in their rock delivery. “Do You Believe” is dynamic, fun, rhythmic and at the 1 minute and 10 seconds mark you can even hear hand clapping! The band has an American guitarist (absolutely amazing Zak Langford-Do) and I’m sure we have him to thank for sneaking in a little John Mellencamp -esque vibe.
“Do You Believe” is British noughties alternative meeting 90’s heartland rock where the focus is placed on the working class, their lives, their sorrows, joys and choices. The song touches on relationship breakdown, wishing to be able to work things out and try again – it’s written with wit, sadness and hope.
The Memos are one of the bands we will be watching closely – if they can achieve so much with barely two songs out, then there is some real magic happening. If you see them playing somewhere near you -grab a ticket. You will not regret it.
“Do You Believe” was produced and mixed by Ben Harper (The Zutons, The Sherlocks, Luka State) and recorded at The Motor Museum. It was also mastered by Graeme Lynch (Ladytron, Miles Kane, The Coral) at 209 Mastering in Liverpool.
The Memos online:
https://www.instagram.com/thememosuk/
https://www.facebook.com/thememosuk
https://www.tiktok.com/@thememosuk
https://open.spotify.com/artist/136FtLrTUTXGu7kMyZuzDwsi=ckR927erRfC1wr0lVxynEQ&nd=1&dlsi=79b6e8c2dbe74259
https://x.com/thememosuk
https://soundcloud.com/the-memos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2jUardi7S9RlgDzBUwOY1w
Further read:
https://liverpoolnoise.com/the-memos-do-you-believe/
https://breadrecords.co.uk/2024/11/25/just-the-crust-25-11-24-the-memos-do-you-believe/
Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 