A CONVERSATION WITH... DAMNAGE
We talked to genre-defying trio DAMNAGE about their debut self-titled album, touring with major artists, and what the next chapter looks like.
You’ve all toured with major artists and now formed DAMNAGE. What made this the right time to build something of your own?
We’ve been building DAMNAGE from the grassroots for years. Even while working with some of those artists. It always felt like the right time. But there’s a lot that goes into building your own thing, especially if you want to do it right.
How does your long-standing friendship translate into the sound and intensity of this record?
There’s a sense of familiarity in the music. We write together and love playing together. Each of us are inspired by different sounds and ideas so when we bring our ideas to the table, it covers a wide ground, sonically.
You’ve played stadiums, Super Bowls, and award shows — what feels different (or more real) about DAMNAGE compared to those huge gigs?
I think both are very real experiences. We approach them from the same place of gratitude. I feel lucky to play on any stage, big or small.
You describe the album as a “sonic punch to the gut.” What emotion or message do you hope hits the hardest?
Don’t be afraid to explore your emotional depths because that's where true authenticity is found. I want people to go on the full emotional rollercoaster, from hot to cold. We felt just about every emotion you could imagine while recording this record.
The album spans chaotic, feral highs to cold, introspective lows. How did you balance those extremes while still keeping a unified sound?
We actually never thought about keeping any kind of emotional balance when it came to recording. We kept it "old school" when recording, so keeping the sound unified was simple. No tricks, just three guys recording together in the studio.
‘Time to Kill’ was written during the pandemic. How did that period shape the record’s urgency and themes?
‘Time to Kill’ was born out of uncertainty, and this boredom, anxiety, and the pandemic highlighted these feelings. I mean, at times, we literally had nothing but time to kill.
‘Wasteland’ kicks off the album with an intense tone. Why start there?
We give off a strong sense of urgency, passion and intensity the moment we step on stage. ‘Wasteland’ felt like the right way to let people know what we’re about.
‘Never See It’ closes the album on a haunting note — was that a deliberate contrast to the rest of the record’s explosive energy?
Yes, closing the album with ‘Never See It’ was intentional. We wanted to show a different side musically, but also emotionally. We wanted to close our more raw and aggressive album with something we thought was introspective and vulnerable.
‘Important’ feels like a biting commentary on fame and ego. Was that inspired by your time in the mainstream music machine?
‘Important’ is a special record. I think it's not just about the entertainment business, though. We all have people in our lives who have treated us less than or tried to take advantage of whatever "power" they had at the time. I think that feeling is pretty universal.
You’ve been compared to Turnstile and IDLES. How do you define your own sound within — or outside — those comparisons?
Turnstile and IDLES are two bands we admire for sure. Love what they do and represent. But, we are being ourselves and doing what we do - being as authentic as possible.
The punk and alternative roots are clear, but what’s a surprising influence that shaped this record?
Soul, jazz, gospel, new wave, etc. It's not intentional, though, we bring all of our influences to the table when we create.
With each of you having your own background and style, what was the creative push-pull like in the studio?
Our diverse backgrounds were something we leaned on in the studio. There wasn't any push and pull; we were locked in on making a sound unique to us.
Was there a particular song that came together effortlessly, or one that nearly broke you?
The whole album came together pretty effortlessly in a way. We wanted to keep it as raw and unedited as possible, which I think took away any unnecessary stress or tension. Musically, it's just three friends making music.
DAMNAGE feels like more than a band — a kind of mission statement. What’s the bigger vision behind what you’re building?
Our mission is the feeling you get at our shows or in our music: no sugar coating, no alter egos, no glitz or glamour. Come as you are, fuck anyone who tells you not to. Just raw emotions wrapped around notes straight from our hearts. We want to bring authenticity to the stage.
With the debut out now, what can fans expect from your live shows, and what does the next chapter look like?
Expect that sonic punch to the gut we were talking about. Expect to go on the craziest emotional rollercoaster you've ever been on and expect to have a great time. In the next chapter, you can expect a ton more music and shows from us. We're already back in the studio writing.
