Damien Moyal
Encyclopedia
Damien Moyal is a musician, designer and artist originally from Florida
, now relocated to Michigan, mostly known within the hardcore
genre, for his distinctive vocals in the influential bands Culture
, Morning Again
, and As Friends Rust
. He has contributed to over 15 bands, though only a few have officially been released. Since 2002 he has parted ways with the hardcore genre, and has moved on to a solo project, Damien Done
.
, who had previously recorded a demo tape and were looking for a vocalist. The band landed a release contract with Conquer the World Records and immediately started to record material for what would become the ground breaking success Born of You. Not long after the release of the LP, conflicts between Moyal and John Wylie led to his leaving of the band. He then went on to front in the very first line-up of Shai Hulud
, recording their original demo, landing the record deal with Revelation Records
. However, before the band got to record any further material, he was asked to leave the band, as he could not get along with the rest of the members.
By late 1995, Wylie had also left Culture and was forming his new band, Morning Again
(also with other ex-Culture members). Moyal was asked to join in hopes of reconciliation. This was the inspiration for the song "Turning Over" from their debut The Cleanest War
. The band grew to become the first American band on Good Life Recordings
, and become a huge attraction in Europe. During this time, he also joined up with Crestfallen's reincarnation as Bird of Ill Omen
. Some of the members for The Bird were also involved in the jam "Fork in the Road", which Damien also participated in. After this he went with Wayside, who quickly changed its name to As Friends Rust
(named after lyrics from a Bird of Ill Omen song).
Now being out of Morning Again as well, he returned to Culture, where he would remain until their breakup. Using his connections with Good Life, he focused the attention to Culture and gained popularity in Europe during the next two years. Upon the breakup of Culture, a short lived band by the name of Some Sort of Radio lasted four rehearsals. Rumors were that "they were too good to be true". Steve Looker from Morning Again wanted desperately to get As Friends Rust back together, and so a new line up was formed. This became Moyals sole band during the next two years until they went under a second hiatus.
Bridgeburne R was then formed, as a 1980s punk band until AFR got back together. With a new line-up of AFR musicians, the band lasted two more years but Damien quit right before their final release on Equal Vision Records
. Damien immediately started witting solo under his pseudonym Damien Done
. In 2003 he was featured on the song "Painkiller" which was a never officially released song by Pandabite. He was also featured on albums by Loyal Frisby and Grey Goose, but no band was talked of until he rehearsed with Kaleb Stewart under the moniker Goodnight at the End of the Tunnel in 2005. His last band effort was with Best Wishes in 2006 before he moved to Michigan.
In 2008, As Friends Rust
reunited for one week of shows (one in Florida, and 6 in Europe) to much fanfare.
In 2011, Moyal announced that new As Friends Rust
songs were being written, and also formed a new hardcore project with former Culture founder Rich Thurston called On Bodies.
, Heteronome and Love Thongs, as well as logos for a multitude of bands he was in including Bird of Ill Omen
's early logos and shirt designs, with a multitude of Culture
shirt designs and unreleased artwork. Many of the unreleased material was to be included in a book to be pressed on Good Life Recordings
in the late 1990s, but by 2000 had fallen through, as Moyal was displeased with the chosen content (short stories, drawings and lyrics).
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, now relocated to Michigan, mostly known within the hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
genre, for his distinctive vocals in the influential bands Culture
Culture (US band)
Culture was a Florida-based vegan/straight edge hardcore band. They formed in 1992, and lasted until 1998, when Damien Moyal merged the remaining members into the second incarnation of As Friends Rust.-History:...
, Morning Again
Morning Again
Morning Again was a hardcore band from Florida. They were known for their extreme metallic hardcore sound as well as for their straight edge, vegan and anti-government ideas. The band...
, and As Friends Rust
As Friends Rust
As Friends Rust is a punk band from Gainesville, Florida.-History:In early 1996 Jeronimo, Henry, and Matt were jamming under the name Wayside. Soon after Damien was recruited from Bird of Ill Omen to step in on vocals...
. He has contributed to over 15 bands, though only a few have officially been released. Since 2002 he has parted ways with the hardcore genre, and has moved on to a solo project, Damien Done
Damien Done
Damien Done is the current band for Damien Moyal, in which he uses his pseudo-name to release a dark indie musical output. He has been featured on soundtracks and compilations, and has released music videos that have gained popularity for a somewhat controversial attitude.-Beginnings and Love...
.
Musical history
Moyal's first band was US Decline. During his time in the band they never recorded but did play shows. He soon after moved on to short stints in Insist (in mid to late 1992, which included a demo tape), Reach and Handoverfist (both in 1993). In 1994 he joined CultureCulture (US band)
Culture was a Florida-based vegan/straight edge hardcore band. They formed in 1992, and lasted until 1998, when Damien Moyal merged the remaining members into the second incarnation of As Friends Rust.-History:...
, who had previously recorded a demo tape and were looking for a vocalist. The band landed a release contract with Conquer the World Records and immediately started to record material for what would become the ground breaking success Born of You. Not long after the release of the LP, conflicts between Moyal and John Wylie led to his leaving of the band. He then went on to front in the very first line-up of Shai Hulud
Shai Hulud (band)
Shai Hulud is an American hardcore punk band with progressive metal influences, originally formed in Pompano Beach, Florida, the band later moved up to Poughkeepsie, New York....
, recording their original demo, landing the record deal with Revelation Records
Revelation Records
Revelation Records is an independent record label focusing originally and primarily on hardcore punk. The label is known for its role in the evolution of hardcore and metallic post-hardcore with important releases by bands such as Youth of Today, Warzone, Sick of It All, Quicksand, Side By Side,...
. However, before the band got to record any further material, he was asked to leave the band, as he could not get along with the rest of the members.
By late 1995, Wylie had also left Culture and was forming his new band, Morning Again
Morning Again
Morning Again was a hardcore band from Florida. They were known for their extreme metallic hardcore sound as well as for their straight edge, vegan and anti-government ideas. The band...
(also with other ex-Culture members). Moyal was asked to join in hopes of reconciliation. This was the inspiration for the song "Turning Over" from their debut The Cleanest War
The Cleanest War
The Cleanest War was Morning Again's first release. It was released on Conquer The World Records who had previously released Born of You from Culture, had had kept in touch with the members since then. It was originally planned to be on MCD and 10" vinyl, but was ultimately moved to a 12" format...
. The band grew to become the first American band on Good Life Recordings
Good Life Recordings
Good Life Recordings is a record label based in Belgium. It was founded in 1996 by Edward Verhaeghe who had been the lead vocalist in Nations On Fire. The label specializes in hardcore bands. It has released many highly significant bands of the second and third wave of hardcore, as well as the...
, and become a huge attraction in Europe. During this time, he also joined up with Crestfallen's reincarnation as Bird of Ill Omen
Bird of Ill Omen (band)
For other uses see Bird of Ill Omen Bird of Ill Omen was a metalcore band from Florida. The band was only around for a few years in the late 90's.-History:...
. Some of the members for The Bird were also involved in the jam "Fork in the Road", which Damien also participated in. After this he went with Wayside, who quickly changed its name to As Friends Rust
As Friends Rust
As Friends Rust is a punk band from Gainesville, Florida.-History:In early 1996 Jeronimo, Henry, and Matt were jamming under the name Wayside. Soon after Damien was recruited from Bird of Ill Omen to step in on vocals...
(named after lyrics from a Bird of Ill Omen song).
Now being out of Morning Again as well, he returned to Culture, where he would remain until their breakup. Using his connections with Good Life, he focused the attention to Culture and gained popularity in Europe during the next two years. Upon the breakup of Culture, a short lived band by the name of Some Sort of Radio lasted four rehearsals. Rumors were that "they were too good to be true". Steve Looker from Morning Again wanted desperately to get As Friends Rust back together, and so a new line up was formed. This became Moyals sole band during the next two years until they went under a second hiatus.
Bridgeburne R was then formed, as a 1980s punk band until AFR got back together. With a new line-up of AFR musicians, the band lasted two more years but Damien quit right before their final release on Equal Vision Records
Equal Vision Records
Equal Vision Records is a record label based in Albany, New York, which has a focus in metal or punk-based rock genres. Equal Vision Records was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo ....
. Damien immediately started witting solo under his pseudonym Damien Done
Damien Done
Damien Done is the current band for Damien Moyal, in which he uses his pseudo-name to release a dark indie musical output. He has been featured on soundtracks and compilations, and has released music videos that have gained popularity for a somewhat controversial attitude.-Beginnings and Love...
. In 2003 he was featured on the song "Painkiller" which was a never officially released song by Pandabite. He was also featured on albums by Loyal Frisby and Grey Goose, but no band was talked of until he rehearsed with Kaleb Stewart under the moniker Goodnight at the End of the Tunnel in 2005. His last band effort was with Best Wishes in 2006 before he moved to Michigan.
In 2008, As Friends Rust
As Friends Rust
As Friends Rust is a punk band from Gainesville, Florida.-History:In early 1996 Jeronimo, Henry, and Matt were jamming under the name Wayside. Soon after Damien was recruited from Bird of Ill Omen to step in on vocals...
reunited for one week of shows (one in Florida, and 6 in Europe) to much fanfare.
In 2011, Moyal announced that new As Friends Rust
As Friends Rust
As Friends Rust is a punk band from Gainesville, Florida.-History:In early 1996 Jeronimo, Henry, and Matt were jamming under the name Wayside. Soon after Damien was recruited from Bird of Ill Omen to step in on vocals...
songs were being written, and also formed a new hardcore project with former Culture founder Rich Thurston called On Bodies.
Art history
Damien Moyal is also a graphic artist, having done artwork for many of his past bands. Some of his released work include the artwork for The Fists of TimeThe Fists of Time
The Fists of Time was the first release from As Friends Rust. Tracks 2 through 5 were recorded with the original line-up, which disbanded in 1997, with track 1 recorded under the new line-up.Vinyl releases as followed:* Regular Edition...
, Heteronome and Love Thongs, as well as logos for a multitude of bands he was in including Bird of Ill Omen
Bird of Ill Omen (band)
For other uses see Bird of Ill Omen Bird of Ill Omen was a metalcore band from Florida. The band was only around for a few years in the late 90's.-History:...
's early logos and shirt designs, with a multitude of Culture
Culture (US band)
Culture was a Florida-based vegan/straight edge hardcore band. They formed in 1992, and lasted until 1998, when Damien Moyal merged the remaining members into the second incarnation of As Friends Rust.-History:...
shirt designs and unreleased artwork. Many of the unreleased material was to be included in a book to be pressed on Good Life Recordings
Good Life Recordings
Good Life Recordings is a record label based in Belgium. It was founded in 1996 by Edward Verhaeghe who had been the lead vocalist in Nations On Fire. The label specializes in hardcore bands. It has released many highly significant bands of the second and third wave of hardcore, as well as the...
in the late 1990s, but by 2000 had fallen through, as Moyal was displeased with the chosen content (short stories, drawings and lyrics).
External links
- Interview on HardcoreMusic
- See individual band pages for more links.