-Interview- DamNation (2/8/12)

DamNation
(From The Depths Entertainment)

Genre: Melodic metal
Interviewed on: 2/8/12
From: Chicago, IL
Facebook Page

http://www.facebook.com/damnation60623


1.You guys just recently had a show with Lions! Tigers! Bears! How did it go?

The show was really good and fun. It was our first time playing out at the venue Bada Brew. The bands we played with were awesome as well. The fans made the show what it was. We just fed off of the energy from the crowd and it was great. We are heading back out to Bada Brew in a few months looking forward to it.


2. You guys have been around since 2009, what have you learned since then that you didn’t know back then?

I think we have learned a lot, I mean when we started we were real naive and thought this was easy and as we've progressed we realized it's actually a pretty hard concept to grasp. Our drummer, who is our manager as well, has learned the inner workings of the music business as far a local music is concerned. We have also been fascinated and have gained knowledge of the field of marketing when it comes to local music and sustaining the "music dream." But we love doing it as far as our music goes we keep progressing and getting better and better.


3. Are you guys writing new music? If so, when can we expect a release date?

We are in the process of finishing up two EP's titled "Truth and Justice for None" and "I am…", that should be out at the same time in March 2012. We are also just about done writing a whole new album with an all new sound; lower tuning, different tones, new concepts, while still keeping the "DamNation" metal feel. The new album, titled "One Nation Under DamNation" will be debuting June 2012.


4. Who are some of your influences?

We all have very different influences that span across all kinds of genres. We begin the inner influences with Classical Rock, Classical, jazz, and latin genres like salsa, merengue and bachata. These would be where we get the melodic side of DamNation. Then come the more modern and usual influences like metalcore, hardcore, thrash, rap, and hip-hop, to house and techno music. We have been influenced by bands, but for the most part simple genres influence us and our music more.


5. What’s the music scene like there in Chicago? What’s your take on the whole metalcore scene in general?

The scene in Chicago is as different as the 5 different areas of New York. The city can kind of be split up by genres like the North Side Scene kids, the South Side Metal Heads, and more. Its a very diverse scene that we believe will continue to grow and evolve. I think the Metalcore has become the new "it" factor. It seems to be at its highest peak and maybe still growing. However, I believe Metalcore is loved by the young, ok with the older folks, and will influence the new generation coming up.


6. Any good show stories?

We've had a lot of good times up on stage. Its hard to pick out some but two funny stories come to mind. During one of our shows, our old keyboardist jumped on his keyboard, a 88 key keyboard, and wailing back and fourth like he was riding a bull. It got the crowd going! Another one was at the venue Reggies Rock Club, when our bassist was just about to fall off the stage to the side entrance. Luckily our friend was backstage and caught him and pushed him back on stage. The whole time he did not stop playing the song.


7. What’s your take on music downloading?

We believe the music downloading has its negatives and its positives. On the positive side, the band or artist gets exposure thought the domino effect. If a friend downloads your music, they can spread it to others. That would be one of the positives that comes from that. However, the negative would be that artists and bands do not finically benefit form the song. Something that is crucial in this business.


8. You guys have an upcoming show with Primer 55. Who are three artists you’d love to tour with?

We would love to point out that we would love to tour with anyone! We love to play our music with who ever. But off the top of our heads, three bands that we would love to tour with would be As I lay Dying, Suicide Silence, and Of Mice and Men.


9. How would you describe your live show?

I believe the best way we can describe our shows is through the word "interactive." We love to cause a ruckus at our shows and show the audience how to have fun. Sometimes i might be though joking with the audience and showing them a good time, and sometimes it might be through egging them on and kind of getting them a little fired up. One thing we can always promise is a superb stage presence that will involve a lot of chaotic movement.


10. What’s next for DamNation?

Next for DamNation would be taking us to the next level. Or plans that are coming up include new and better merchandise, equipment, and more. Band wise, we are in the beginning stages of planning a tour. We want to see if that pans out, which is very do-able. And for sure more NEW music will coming very soon. We have a problem where we continue to write new music like a big kid eats cake.


11. Any shoutouts?

We just want to give a shout out to our keyboardist that is not with us at the time. He has a side project going while we await his anticipated return. the project is called WarTank. We also want to give shout outs to the band in the local scene that we have work with and collaborated with like: Mara, Phase Extermination, Morgan Le Faye, and Sex For Less. Thanks guys for helping us one was or another. And last but not least, we have to give a shout out to the people that have helped us the most: Friends, Family, Fans, Black and White Studios, 8track Studios, P-Town Studios, and of course Rock Scarz Magazine and From the Depths Entertainment for taking interest in us and our music.