by: P.J. Bross
Everyone dreams of that highlighted moment on stage, lights gleaming in their eyes, crowds singing to their songs....and of course, metal music blaring, and the bass shaking the room, because, seriously... that is what thrash metal is all about. Even though it seems like the hip hop/rap scene is taking over, you are dead wrong. DAMAGEFLAG, a rising band from Ireland, will prove you wrong.
1. Before we get to the really good stuff...I am rather curious about the name "DAMAGEFLAG." Why did you pick that name?
A. JUDE: (Lead Vocals and Guitar): Good question, well me, Jason (bass) and Ruddy (drums) are from Northern Ireland. Jeff our lead guitarist is from Venezuela, but being from Northern Ireland we are the bastardized nation of the world because of this STUPID civil war thats been going on hundreds of years and as a result Northern Ireland has two flags (The nationalists have the Tricolour which is the flag of the Republic of Ireland) and (The Loyalists have the Union flag which is the flag of the United Kingdom) We as a result can not hang flags of our country without pissing someone off. So when the four of us were coming up with a band name we were not actually going for a political gesture but we thought about how all our flags are damaged and so you have Damageflag! Hahaha!
Maybe someday we will be the flag of Northern Ireland! Hahaha!
2. What makes you believe that the metal scene is rising again? I sometimes feel like the audiance is lessening.
A. Jude: Well it's not lessoning but thrash metal in particular was never really massive. Its gnarly and underground and to be honest, thats kinda what I like about it.
3. I know there are many stories on how bands come to be. How did DAMAGEFLAG get started?
A. JUDE: Well I love thrash metal, its always been my favorite music so I knew Ruddy who was in another band and Jason and me had decided to start this thrash metal band and Jeff was living in England at the time and he was also trying to start a thrash band. So I find his number on this add Thrash metal guitarist seeks band! Influences Megadeth, Pantera, Testament and Nuclear Assault so I send him a text and he's like yeah dude Ill join your band hahaha! And then I say what part of Ireland are you in? and he says Im in England and said FUCK SAKE! So I tell him to move over after seeing a video of him playing and I knew Jeff was the man for this band. He moved into my house two days later and ive been regretting it ever since because he doesnt shut the fuck up! Hahaha!
4. I know in the past, rising from the 80's and 90's, many thrash metal bands focused their lyrics on political, and universal problems in the world. For example, songs like "Peace Sells" from Megadeth, or "Greenhouse Effect" from Testament. What influences your lyrics?
A. JUDE: Anything! Our songs are about a lot of different stuff like Ride Like Hell is about the German spitfire during the second World War. We have a few Political songs like F.T.P.L (Fuck The Poor Legislation) and thats about how the millions of business' are going bust and people are loosing their jobs and then some prick politician decides to cut the benefits for mothers who have mouths to feed because Rothschild bank is the most powerful bank in the world and their killing off the competition and paying our world leaders to say its a recession which is a false flag attack! But anyway... Yeah we write about anything from zombies to aliens to politics even lesbians! HAHA!
5. Explain to me your writing process: do you write as a band? Is there one main lyric writer? How do you come up with the right tune to play?
A . JUDE: Well I write the lines share my stuff this far but Jeff has written two songs and we are starting to write together and I must say its more organic.
Ruddys actually a great lyricist.
6. Is there like a certian "ritual" (like getting into the zone) you guys must do to get your minds going?
A. JUDE: Well I love martial arts so before a gig I like to stretch, throw some kicks and read some comics, Ruddy likes to get stupid drunk! Hahaha!
7. Any odd or funny experiences that you have had as a band? I feel like a lot of people don't realize that musicians are humans too.
A. JUDE: Yeah lot's actually when we recorded our first demo a lot of weird things happened. We recorded it in a small town called Lisburn and everyone we met on the street was a heroin addict. Within 10 [days] 4 people came up to us separately and asked if we knew anywhere to get heroin and we were like try that guy over there! haha!
8. Best thrash metal singer of all time? Ready...set....go!!!
A. JUDE: ME! Hahaha! No maybe John Connelly from Nuclear Assault or Paul Baloff from Exodus! But I cant forget Dave Mustaine, a lot of people dislike his voice but no other singer would ever be right for MEGADETH!
9. One word to describe each of you individually.
A. JUDE: KINKY!
10. When you guys take over the world, anything on earth is possible, where are some different countries you hope to play?
A. JUDE: We are actually getting ready for our first tour of the United States! Cant wait for that! But I would love to play Europe and Japan too!
11. Where do you see yourself in about 20 years?
A. JUDE: JAIL!!!
12. When should we all expect an album to be released?
A. JUDE: Summer 2013 via Punkerama records! 10 Tracks and we hope its a "thrasher-piece"! One of those awesome thrash records that makes you wanna drive fast and punch stuff!
13. Any last words to the readers and fellow metal-heads? Advice?
A. JUDE: Remember that a real metal head does not take advise! HAHA! Everyone has to pay their dues.
14. Thank you so much for your time, and I can't wait to hear what you guys have to bring to the table!
A. JUDE: No problem, its been a pleasure talking to you Paula!
