A Quick Chat with DAMAGE

What are the origins of DAMAGE? Where did it start?
I used to be in a cover band in the 80s and when I got sober, I gave the guitar away for about 25 years. Then a friend of mine invited me to a blues club and I was hooked again. I picked up the guitar after that and never looked back. I met a friend at a business course who was also a musician, and we were talking about forming a band. I asked him what name we should call the band, and he said DAMAGE with the logo of a microphone on fire. Unfortunately, he passed away not long after (Ashlee Brimfield), so I carried on our dream in his honour.

Tell us a bit about the new album. What does it mean to you?
If you had said to me six years ago that I would be on my fourth album release, I would have just laughed. I think it took 11 months to write, record, and print the album. I enjoy sharing my music with friends and family, selling it but also gifting it to people too. These songs are what I have written when I’ve run out of ideas for songs. I’d say it’s raw emotion and just how I feel about things in everyday life.

Are there any inspirations you look to beyond music when writing or performing?
I’ve been told I sound like Amyl and The Sniffers, Cosmic Psychos and The Chats. But I was influenced way back by AC/DC and The Sex Pistols.

Name the five songs that have informed your songwriting more than any others.
Cars – Gary Numan
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
Black Betty – Ram Jam
Roxanne – The Police
Livin’ Thing – Electric Light Orchestra

What Australian artists are you listening to at the moment?
I listen to my own stuff, and a few of my friends in the music scene such as Feather Wilson, Jen Frank, and Obscura Hail.

How do you hope your music might impact listeners?
I hope it makes them dance – I like to dance to it myself. I hope they can have it as background music, and I hope it’s relatable. I especially hope they like my track I Hate My Job because let’s be honest – work sucks.