Lengthy songs, explicit, thought-compelling lyrics and heart-pumping drumming are coming to Mojo's.
The Memorials, comprised of Grammy-winning drummer Thomas Pridgen and renowned vocalist Viveca Hawkins, will perform at Mojo's in Jamestown on Thursday, Sept. 6.
Pridgen formed The Memorials after departing from The Mars Volta in 2009. He reached out to his Berklee College of Music friends Viveca Hawkins and Nick Brewer for vocals and guitar.
Article Photos
The Memorials are Grammy-award winner Thomas Pridgen from The Mars Volta and Viveca Hawkins who is known for working with Blackalicious, Goapele, Soulive and Cee Lo.
Photo by Demondre Ward
The focus was to collaborate with proficient musicians whom Pridgen felt would fill a void he has heard in rock music throughout his life.
"I think as a musician any gig that is fun to do when you're not doing the other gig that was fun to do, is filling the void," said Pridgen, who won a Grammy for "Best Hard Rock Performance" for the The Mars Volta song "Wax Simulacra." "I'm playing rock, and I like it. I think it's fun. Everybody that's doing music is doing it because they like it."
Although both Pridgen and Hawkins have worked on numerous projects throughout their musical careers, according to Hawkins, The Memorials is a more long-term project, so fans should expect new material and further tours.
"This was never a game," said Hawkins. "This was a chance for us to build something of our own. And, we're not in any point or time thinking about throwing it away after as much of our lives, time, money and relationships we've invested in this. And, there are people working very hard for us and with us, especially ourselves. So, hopefully we have a very long and bright future."
The name The Memorials holds special meaning to Hawkins, who said, "In a sense we're an homage to great music past, and to the artists we admire - we're like living memorials," she said.
Hawkins manages to provide this great service to past music by writing lyrics that are thought-provoking and compelling.
"I aim to inspire (with) everything that I write, even if it's just to inspire myself to keep working hard and forward," said Hawkins. "To keep thinking and not just watch life and its opportunities pass me by. I really want for people to listen to my music and feel like there is more, and to get excited."
During The Memorials' show at Mojo's, the band will play selections from the eight-song album Delirium, released earlier this year, in addition to some tunes from their self-titled debut album released last year.
"We made this album in hopes that we'd be able to start playing longer shows with more material since we've already done two nationwide tours," said Hawkins.
One of that songs that Hawkins particularly enjoys playing live is "Fluorescent's Unforgiving."
"We've been playing 'Fluorescent's Unforgiving' for a while now because we recorded 'Delirium' before we started our second tour," said Hawkins. "So, we play 'Fluorescent's' and a couple of other songs that people really enjoy. But, I don't want to give it away because it's a new show, and you gotta come see it."
The Memorials haven't had much of an opportunity to play in the upstate area so far, said Hawkins. But, fans can expect a great show, she continued.
"We play music, (that's) just like our records," said Hawkins. "We play 11 and a half minute songs, 20 minute songs if we feel like it. It's not like a radio concert with a couple of three-minute tunes. It's a show for people who want to come see awesome players, singers and enjoy a good concert."
The show starts at 9 p.m. with Phantasm opening for The Memorials. Mojo's is located at104 E. Second St. in Jamestown.
For more information visit thememorialsmusic.com or search for "Mojo's Jamestown" on Facebook.