Damiera
Encyclopedia
Damiera is a three piece indie
/math rock
band based in Chicago, Illinois.
based band Queen City Knights, Mark Henry
, was added only a short while after. By late May 2005, the band had played a handful of shows, self-produced/engineered their debut EP "Damiera EP", and self-booked a two month tour. Matthew Kipp left the band at the conclusion of Damiera's first tour to pursue different interests.
, flew to meet Damiera in Buffalo, New York
. Rock's arrival revealed countless musical, and personality parallels, which not only complemented the band, but broadened it. After spending two solid months writing day and night in a rehearsal studio, Damiera spent February 2006 with Jayson Dezuzio (Coheed and Cambria
, My Chemical Romance
) recording the debut LP M(US)IC
was re-released on Equal Vision Records
in January 2007. The band embarked on a self-booked one hundred and ten day long tour that ended September 10, 2006.
Although two weeks before that, their Myspace (www.myspace.com/damiera) started showing signs of the breakup by stating the cold words "All upcoming shows canceled". Equal Vision Records
News Release dated June 13, 2007 states the band had reformed with new members:
"Back in April, three fourths of Damiera left the band to pursue other goals. The departing members were "Seeking satisfaction elsewhere," says continuing member and vocalist Dave Raymond, "They wanted to take another road for now... without having to be committed to a group setting."
The new members consist of guitarist Steve Downs and drummer Josh Sparks, formerly of the Iowa-based band Spirit of the Stairway, and bassist Jayson Dezuzio, a long time professional producer whose resume includes work with Coheed and Cambria, My Chemical Romance, and more. Dezuzio also produced the latest Damiera album, M(US)IC, which was released in January.
"I love music, and I will continue to let go of every excess (money, home, health, etc) in order to find my end in it. I have been extremely fortunate this far, but I'd rather end with nothing and satisfied than end with everything and not use it." Equal Vision Release
and it's set for release on June 24, 2008 through Equal Vision Records.
On May 20, 2008, Equal Vision launched a 24-hour pre-order of the album for only $5. After which, the price went back up to the standard retail price.
Drummer Joshua Sparks and bassist Jayson Dezuzio left the band. Damiera has since added bassist Evan Weiss of The Progress/Into It. Over It. and drummer David Robison of The Alaya Conscious. Dave, Steve, Evan and David continue to write music and tour the country. The band has since relocated to Chicago, IL. As of November, Evan is no longer with the band, and is focusing more on Into It. Over It.
. They have released a 5 song EP and a music video on their website. (EP: released 01 September 2011
- Produced and mixed by J. Hall)
Indie (music)
In music, independent music, often shortened to indie music or "indie" is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
/math rock
Math rock
Math rock is a rhythmically complex guitar-based style of experimental rock that emerged in the 1980s and that was very influenced by progressive rock like King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Henry Cow - and 20th century composers such as Steve Reich and John Cage...
band based in Chicago, Illinois.
The Beginning
Damiera was formed in February, 2005, by David Raymond and ex-guitarist/vocalist Matthew Kipp after the dismemberment of their former project, League. The band's sound started out with only two guitars and guitar driven basslines that ultimately moved into a direction that could not fit in a singer/songwriter scheme. After only a short while the two invited former friend/tourmate from Orlando, FL based bands Boys go to War/Sleeping Girl Drowning, Bradley McRae, to the line-up. Former frontman for Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
based band Queen City Knights, Mark Henry
Mark Henry
Mark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler signed with WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. He is a 1992 Olympian, and winner of the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic...
, was added only a short while after. By late May 2005, the band had played a handful of shows, self-produced/engineered their debut EP "Damiera EP", and self-booked a two month tour. Matthew Kipp left the band at the conclusion of Damiera's first tour to pursue different interests.
M(US)IC
After a very extensive search for a guitarist, Rock Whittington, guitarist of New Orleans based Punch PeoplePunch People
Punch People is a three-piece progressive rock band from New Orleans, Louisiana. The band consist of Danny Bourgeois, Rock Whittington and Neil Bernard . Punch People is well known in the New Orleans local scene....
, flew to meet Damiera in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. Rock's arrival revealed countless musical, and personality parallels, which not only complemented the band, but broadened it. After spending two solid months writing day and night in a rehearsal studio, Damiera spent February 2006 with Jayson Dezuzio (Coheed and Cambria
Coheed and Cambria
Coheed and Cambria is an American progressive rock band from Nyack, New York. Formed in 1995, the group incorporates aspects of progressive rock, punk rock, metal and post-hardcore....
, My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
) recording the debut LP M(US)IC
M(US)IC
-Track listing:# "Immure" – 3:16# "Lessons" – 3:38# "MIC" – 3:22# "Via Invested" – 3:13# "I AM Pulse" – 3:09# "Ember Eason" – 3:39# "Departures" – 1:59# "Flora: Yield" – 3:52# "Broken Hands" – 3:27# "Obsessions" – 3:00-Recording:...
was re-released 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 ....
in January 2007. The band embarked on a self-booked one hundred and ten day long tour that ended September 10, 2006.
The Hiatus
Damiera announced April 14, 2007 on the website, stating: "We set a goal, and found it. Thank you for your ears, kind words, and your time."Although two weeks before that, their Myspace (www.myspace.com/damiera) started showing signs of the breakup by stating the cold words "All upcoming shows canceled". 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 ....
News Release dated June 13, 2007 states the band had reformed with new members:
"Back in April, three fourths of Damiera left the band to pursue other goals. The departing members were "Seeking satisfaction elsewhere," says continuing member and vocalist Dave Raymond, "They wanted to take another road for now... without having to be committed to a group setting."
The new members consist of guitarist Steve Downs and drummer Josh Sparks, formerly of the Iowa-based band Spirit of the Stairway, and bassist Jayson Dezuzio, a long time professional producer whose resume includes work with Coheed and Cambria, My Chemical Romance, and more. Dezuzio also produced the latest Damiera album, M(US)IC, which was released in January.
"I love music, and I will continue to let go of every excess (money, home, health, etc) in order to find my end in it. I have been extremely fortunate this far, but I'd rather end with nothing and satisfied than end with everything and not use it." Equal Vision Release
Quiet Mouth Loud Hands
Damiera has finished their new album Quiet Mouth Loud HandsQuiet Mouth Loud Hands
-Track listing:# "Rainman" - 0:45# "Quiet Mouth Loud Hands" - 3:38# "Nailbiter" - 3:43# "Image and Able" - 3:02# "Teacher, Preacher" - 3:10# "Weights for the Waiting" - 3:20# "Chromatica" - 3:11# "Blinding Sir Bluest" - 2:45# "Woodbox" - 1:56...
and it's set for release on June 24, 2008 through Equal Vision Records.
On May 20, 2008, Equal Vision launched a 24-hour pre-order of the album for only $5. After which, the price went back up to the standard retail price.
Drummer Joshua Sparks and bassist Jayson Dezuzio left the band. Damiera has since added bassist Evan Weiss of The Progress/Into It. Over It. and drummer David Robison of The Alaya Conscious. Dave, Steve, Evan and David continue to write music and tour the country. The band has since relocated to Chicago, IL. As of November, Evan is no longer with the band, and is focusing more on Into It. Over It.
2011 - present
Former Damiera and Kiss Kiss members have formed a new band called Hidden HospitalsHidden Hospitals
Hidden Hospitals is an alternative progressive rock band from Chicago, IL. They released their first EP, EP 001 September 1, 2011. They played their first show September 6, 2011 at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago, IL.-Albums:*2011: EP 001...
. They have released a 5 song EP and a music video on their website. (EP: released 01 September 2011
- Produced and mixed by J. Hall)
Albums
- 2005: EP One (Tamerlane Records)
- 2007: M(US)ICM(US)IC-Track listing:# "Immure" – 3:16# "Lessons" – 3:38# "MIC" – 3:22# "Via Invested" – 3:13# "I AM Pulse" – 3:09# "Ember Eason" – 3:39# "Departures" – 1:59# "Flora: Yield" – 3:52# "Broken Hands" – 3:27# "Obsessions" – 3:00-Recording:...
(Equal Vision RecordsEqual Vision RecordsEqual 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 ....
) - 2008: Quiet Mouth Loud HandsQuiet Mouth Loud Hands-Track listing:# "Rainman" - 0:45# "Quiet Mouth Loud Hands" - 3:38# "Nailbiter" - 3:43# "Image and Able" - 3:02# "Teacher, Preacher" - 3:10# "Weights for the Waiting" - 3:20# "Chromatica" - 3:11# "Blinding Sir Bluest" - 2:45# "Woodbox" - 1:56...
(Equal Vision Records)
External links
- Damiera Official Site
- Damiera Damiera on MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Equal Vision Official Site