www.facebook.com/nevermindthedamage
From: Decatur, AL
Sounds like: Rock/Metal
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name “Never Mind The Damage” and is there any meaning behind it?
Justin: We developed our sound just through jamming and writing. I had the name on a list and it was one of many we considered, we just all finally agreed on it.
Brandon: I got started with music in my mom's stomach. The sound came from all of us being in different kinds of bands and listening to different kinds off music. Justin came up with the name. For me NMTD means different things. One, nevermind the damage to your eardrums, listen to it loud anyways. Also, nevermind the damage in your life. We are your chance to escape that damage and come on out and have a good time away from reality. Another one...we've all (in the band) have had problems and hard times, but we choose to nevermind the damage and push forward together doing what we all love the most and put those big boy pants on and go out there and leave it all behind us up on that stage.
Austin: Listening to my parent's music growing up was obviously the start with my music progression. I started out listening to my parent's CD's back with I was in middle school with my first portable CD Player haha. Some memorable CD's I had were Green Day's "American Idiot", Metallica's Black Album, Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory", and Korn's Greatest Hits volume 1.
As far as the meaning behind Never Mind The Damage, as for me personally I see it as looking past our faults or damages and listen to our emotions as we pour them into our music. So never mind our damage and listen to what we have to offer, or at least that's the kind of message I feel I'd like to present under the name.
2. What do you want listeners to take away from your upcoming EP?
Justin: I think what we went for with the EP was a trek into what we consider a hybrid sound. We don't want to let a genre define the band. So the songs on our EP are all over the musical spectrum.
Brandon: I want listeners to feel our music, not just hear it. I want to help them with whatever they need by using our songs to heal them. Also just have a good time and appreciate our creativity.
Austin: Look past our faults and truly see the hard work each and every one of us puts into the project and feel our music.
3. What can people expect from your live show?
Justin: A ton of energy, some comedy (yes Brandon tells jokes sometimes) and passion for the music we have written and love to perform.
Brandon: I don't want our listeners to expect anything from us. I want to keep it interesting and a surprise every time.
Austin: Hopefully a laid back and fun show!
4. What's your favorite tracks to play live?
Brian: "Fight Night" and our cover of Adele's "Someone Like You".
Justin: "Paralyzed" or "Ashes".
Brandon: I love all our songs. Each one is a creation of us, like a child each one is different, but you love them all equally.
Austin: I really enjoy playing "Fight Night" and "Paralyzed".
5. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Brian: Megadeth, P.O.D and Korn.
Justin: Avenged Sevenfold, Ventura Lights and Flying Colors.
Brandon: Only 3....ooh tuff...Linkin Park, Tool, Korn, Eminem, Halestorm, Deftones and any other band out there...yea I can't choose 3.
Austin: Bullet For My Valentine, Avenged Sevenfold, and Skillet.
6. Any crazy show stories?
Brian: None with NMTD yet.
Brandon: Yes, not with NMD but one time my old band played in a cemetery during Halloween and then had to run from the police.
7. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
Brian: In my opinion, everything is becoming too cookie cutter. Everyone sounds the same and every song is predictable. It's time to bring back "jamming" and do away with cut and paste on the computer.
Justin: I agree. All new rock bands are trying to sound like 'their favorite band' instead of finding their sound. That's something we want to stay away from, sounding too 'mainstream'.
Brandon: The world needs NMTD to be part of it. Lol! I just think everyone in rock is trying to find that new sound, that new wave of creativity. Another Nirvana or Led Zepp, Eminem, Marylin Manson. Those guys are and were game changers. Were all trying to find that next new big sound.
Austin: I think a lot of it has evolved since I first started listening to music, I believe it's changed into something great for the most part however I feel like people are getting less and less creative probably due to the fact that people are highly likely to criticize them for trying new things. Just take Suicide Silence for example they started trying clean vocals in their new album which in my opinion is awesome and sounds great however some fans have greatly criticized them negatively for it. Same goes for the Avenged Sevenfold album "The Stage", it's been criticized as well because they tried some new things. I feel people should be a little more forgiving and be more open minded about music and open to trying new things.
8. What’s the current music scene like there in Alabama both locally and state wide?
Justin: It's honestly 80-85% metal, 10-15% Country. And we have 2 or 3 amazing rock bands (53 Judges, Bad Ethyl, and my second band as well, who are currently unnamed).
Brandon: Not great, it's hard around here. You're either death metal or country. Or you just play covers at bars.
Austin: Mostly country and southern rock with hints and pockets of hardcore/metal scenes.
9. What’s your take on legal/illegal music downloading?
Brian: From an artist standpoint, I'm pro legal downloads, but let's be real, everyone is guilty of illegal downloads at least once.
Justin: I'm glad that downloading is an option, it helps people around the world access your music, but a fan of illegal downloaders. Weird AL even wrote a song about illegal downloading, so that means it has be bad, right?
Brandon: As long as I get paid enough doing what I love, I don't care how people get their music.
Austin: I don't have a problem with it personally, to me if someone is wanting to listen to my music so bad that they'd steal it then I would feel somewhat honored. Not everyone gets the luxury of being able to buy things or going to shows to see bands etc, I'd even give out some music for free if it were just me personally because I'd rather build a loyal fan base than make a profit.
10. What’s next for Never Mind The Damage?
Justin: A tour is in the planning stages, as well as hopefully a full length album, and an acoustic EP.
Brian: After the EP drops, we hope to hit the road and make new friends. And what Justin said.
11. Any shoutouts?
Justin: Huge thank you to Sweet Spots Dampeners, Coopergroove Drumsticks and Sledgepad. As well as 203 Productions for producing our EP.
Brian: 203 Productions, our friends 53 Judges, Coppertop, Zzounds (most of our gear comes from there) and our families.
Austin: Shout out to my fiance, and my parents for supporting me in my musical interests and hobbies.
