Portland garage rock outfit The Memories – which is an offshoot of garage rockers White Fang – enjoy alcohol, girls, and smoking copious amounts of weed. In fact, according to the band, much of the lyrical content of their latest album, Love is the Law, is drawn from the band’s own memories. Churning out sub-two minute barn-burners, it’s hard not to spot the band’s immediate influences. Culling from the Ramones and The Dictators, and adopting a disarmingly, mischievous grin reminiscent of rock wise-asses Ween, The Memories belt out punk sing-a-longs about getting laid, sparking up, and Star Trek – The Next Generation, obviously.
But don’t let their laid-back attitude fool you. Beneath that stoner façade lays the beating hearts of guys who just want to destroy as many amplifiers as they possibly can – and maybe toss off a few memorable hooks as well. Taking their leave of Underwater Peoples (home to their 2012 self-titled album) and signing to Sacramento garage rock stalwart Burger Records for their latest collection of jams, the band tears through the 17 tracks on Love is the Law in quick succession. Smirking while they splinter fretboards and fill your living room with an unidentified psychotropic haze, The Memories really want to show you what garage rock should sound like. And when a record is as catchy and jubilantly adolescent as Love is the Law is, it’s difficult to find a reason not to let them.
Recently, the band sat down with Beats Per Minute to talk about a few of the records and artists which have helped to shape their sound. And while records by Ween and Creedence Clearwater Revival may seem like usual enough fare –for them anyway, wait until you get to the albums from Underworld and Insane Clown Posse. Juggalo’s beware! Check out the band’s full list below in our latest On Deck feature.
Underworld – Second Toughest in the Infants
Just a perfect head trip dance out do drugs masterpiece. Use to skate in the rain through the industrial districts in Portland to this album on repeat.
Insane Clown Posse – The Great Milenko
One of the funnest yet most misunderstood bands of all time and a picture perfect cartoon rap album. Love every fucking minute of this silly, stupid, awesome ride.
Ween – Quebec
My favorite Ween album changes with every month but this is the one that I always come back to. The variety, the precision, and the humor, and some truly touching moments; keep this one dear to my heart.
The Grateful Dead – Workingman’s Dead
I have a Steal Yr Face tattoo on my arm, so obviously the Dead are very dear to me, but this album is so sly and American; the title says it all. It’s a perfect Summer record for long nights with red wine and grass.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Green River
Arguably our favorite band to have ever existed on this planet and dimension; this is their sexiest, darkest, and most sinister piece in of all their amazingly beautiful and endlessly inspiring body of work.
The Memories’ latest record, Love is the Law, is out now on Burger Records.
