The Damnwells Put the Music – and Their Fans – First

In the music industry, it’s common knowledge that the most money is made by the bands and recording artists who sell the most records. The Brooklyn-based Damnwells, however, have thrown that formula right out the window. Their latest release, One Last Century, is available for free download – not just for 24 hours or a few days, like some bands have offered, but for the foreseeable future.

“It was our manager’s idea, and at first I thought he was crazy,” said singer/songwriter Alex Dezen. “But, it’s always so difficult just to get people to listen to your band. We figured let’s just give it away and let people get the music for free.

It would be one thing if the record was a collection of B-sides or demos, but this is a legitimate record from an established band. The Damnwells were signed to Epic records (Song/BMG), and have toured with groups like The Dixie Chicks and The Fray.

The record starts out with “Soundtrack,” a moody acoustic number where Dezen sings, “But can you shut up long enough to fall in love?” The Damnwells have always been about great hooks and clever lyrics, and there is no shortage on One Last Century. “Bastard of Midnight” and “55 Pictures” are pure rock and roll songs, but when I asked frontman Alex Dezen to name his favorite song on One Last Century, it took him about a half second to answer “Like It Is.”  As the record winds down, the track “Down With the Ship” is sure to resonate with listeners. With lyrics like “If my life was a distance, what mile would you claim?” it’s no wonder that Dezen held the crowd in the palm of his hand when the band recently played a packed house at IOTA Club & Café in Arlington, Virginia.

Bands like The Damnwells ARE rock and roll – four guys who know how to play their instruments, get on stage and sweat it out night after night, whether they are playing smaller clubs or 50,000 seat venues. The fact that they have made their latest record available as a free download just proves that The Damnwells are a band that puts the music – and their fans – first.

For fans of: The Replacements, The Alternate Routes, Paul Westerberg