Hauppauge Band To Play Debut Concert For First EP Release

Newly formed Hauppauge band Almost a Memory will perform songs from their first EP "Lessons Learned" in a debut concert at the Broadway Bar in Amityville on Saturday.

The EP features five songs, from the title song “Lessons Learned” to “Fate Knows Your Name Better Than You." Each song highlights the diverse styles of the band members’ musical backgrounds.

“We have pretty different personality that mesh together well,” said drummer Dan Francis.

“But we always emphasize being a family more than anything,” lead guitarist Joe Striffler added.

The band started when several Long Island bands folded at once. Former The Last Days of Summer member, lead guitarist Joe Striffler met singer and songwriter Vicki Vasapolli, formerly of Museum Kids.

“We started writing together without The Last Days of Summer’s prior knowledge, so when the band fell apart, all we needed as a drummer,” Striffler said.

Francis and guitarist Chris Migliore joined along with bass player John Gallo, formerly of The Reserve, to form Almost A Memory.

The new group spent most of the next eight months planning and practicing in a Hauppauge basement.

“A lot of bands don’t plan and think about what they want to do. We want to make a living out of this, and if we can get a label, go on tour and have a following,” Striffler said. “We run this band like a business because we want to be considered full-time professional musicians."

Despite being full-time students, the band immediately started creating new songs starting with “The Way You Move,” written originally for The Last Days of Summer.

“I feel it has a very indie vibe and have great direction. You just want to groove,” said Striffler, as his favorite of the band’s songs.

Each song on the debut EP took about a week create, from guitar rifts to a full song with lyrics. The process brought the band together as a group, refining their style, which remains open to experimentation.

“I don’t think our band has a kind of style yet. We are still maturing, as a think a band has to find a style together,” the guitarist said.

Almost a Memory’s first release has been met with positive reviews. The band was welcomed by screaming fans at the Japan Relief Concert held at Hauppauge High School on April 7.

Yet, Vasapolli said the group tries not let the early success go to their heads, staying grounded by hanging out with fans and keeping busy.

“We don’t want to stop. Once you stop, you’ll slack off and lose all motivation,” Francis said.

Almost a Memory's second album is already in the works.

“We know once Long island get to know us, they are going to want to hear more,” added Striffler.