Someone asked me once why I've never done an Unheard Music on The Damnwells. I just figured I'd already done so much evangelizing of the band that everybody knew about them. Not so. This is not an Unheard Music (it's not Friday) but hopefully you will download some of their music and gain an appreciation of a grossly overlooked band. It's not too late to hop aboard the Damnwells bandwagon.
A bit of backstory for the uninitiated. Late 2003, I got a Best of 2003 CD from my pal Kenny. Among a bunch of great music was a song called "New Delhi" by a band called The Damnwells, the name was familiar. I went searching through my collection and unearthed a 4 song demo a friend of mine had sent me, he was the manager of the band. I must've misfiled the CD because upon first listen of that demo, I was floored by it and certainly would've remembered hearing it before. Wrong righted, I was now a Damnwells fan. I championed their music whenever and wherever I could and lobbied successfully to get them some radio airplay and some local love. The next time they came to Chicago, I saw them live [Sleepsinging (Live)] and went backstage to meet them. Nice guys. After their debut, they released an iTunes-only EP which contained a stellar live version of "New Delhi [Live at XM] ". They'd built some momentum for the release of album #2: "Air Stereo" and asked what I thought of it. I fought hard for them to release "I Am A Leaver" as the first single, an amazing song. The label opted for the slower song "Golden Days" which is also a great song but not as immediate. Here's a version of the song with tour mates The Fray from You Tube.
Air Stereo came out and did fairly well. A filmmaker also was on hand to film The Damnwells in their element eventually making a well-reviewed documentary film which made the festival rounds. Some of that material was fashioned into an electronic press kit (EPK).
Then, bad things started to happen. The fired their manager, two original members left the band and they went dormant for a year or so. I honestly thought they were done, I had lost contact with them and there was little activity on their website. Flash-forward to December of last year, I got a call from the band. They were at Double Door that night, they put me on the list and asked me to come see them. They still had it. Always a great live band, the addition of two new members rejuvinated them, the old stuff sounded fresh and the new material was promising. We had drinks after the show and I was pleased to learn that they had rehired their old manager (an old high school aquaintence of mine) and had completed a new album for a 2009 release. So, for those of you who've made it this far (or those who skimmed til the end) the good news is that the Damnwells new record is available and the better news is that it's a FREE download. Just visit this site during February and (possibly) March and snag your own copy of "One Last Century" from Paste Magazine. Since I put this post "to bed" before Midnight, I haven't even heard it yet. I can't wait to hear it and I can't wait for YOU to hear it as well. Tell me your thoughts.
Was anyone able to download this successfully? I tried and it says 'decompression failed". Damn.
Posted by: ken | Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 01:50 PM
I was able to download it successfully. They deliver another wonderful record filled with infectious pop. It’s remarkable how Alex is able to be so consistent, one great song after another. My current fave is "Bastards Of Midnight".
Posted by: Kenny | Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 08:45 PM
Another great Damnwells album! Also, he proves that he can be as good acoustic (i.e. Soundtrack, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPZsGP6elh0&feature=PlayList&p=BFC8E7F5D265BF95&playnext=1&index=19), as electric. I was at the gym last night and when "I Am a Lever" came up on shuffle, my energy level tripled!
Posted by: Andy | Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Hopefully you know about already and have pledged at www.pledgemusic.com to help the damnwells release their next record this winter and donate to charity at the same time. AND, get great stuff in the process, such as free dowloads of new material for pledgers only, and exclusives at every donation level. Please help the dmanwells in this venture!!
Posted by: marilyn | Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 12:06 PM