Sacramento rockers, Heat Of Damage, are injecting new life into the veins of listeners with their raw talent that transcends the ordinary. The emerging Metal band just released a hypnotic and visually electric video for their latest single, “The Gift”, and are in the midst of writing their sophomore release. I caught up with all of the guys to discuss bringing Heat Of Damage to life, “The Gift”, maintaining creative chemistry as a band, tattoos and more.
First and foremost, introduce yourself to our readers. Who is Heat Of Damage? How did you guys come together to form the band?
David: We are a Hard Rock/Metal band. Sacramento proud!
Nick: We became friends in high school through our mutual love of music. It’s your classic garage band story honestly.
Congrats on the release of your latest single, “The Gift”. Tell us about the intention behind the track and what experience inspired you to create the song.
David: “The Gift” wasn’t inspired by any particular experience I would say. Its inspiration comes more from a collection of experiences and thoughts from us in the band and our close friends and family. Musically, we wanted to take a heavier direction than our previous releases!
How long have you been playing music and what live show experience in your youth made you feel that you wanted to take the stage?
Julian: I started playing music in the 5th grade and continued in middle school with Jazz Band and Concert Band, surely I continued in high school with Jazz Band and Marching Band.
David: I got my first guitar from my grandparents when I was 12. I was having a lot of fun learning and performing for my friends, but I didn’t realize how much I wanted to be a professional, performing musician until I saw Iron Maiden live for the first time. They blew me away, and I wanted to be like them!
Any upcoming tour or festival appearance plans that you can fill us in about?!
Nick: We definitely plan on touring in mid 2018. We want to play anywhere and everywhere.
Julian: The plan is definitely to tour nonstop with the years to come.
Photo Credit: ALISON TOON
As you are exposed to a variety of cultures and walks of life, how has being based and/or brought up in California enhanced your creative prowess?
David: Being from Sacramento, we’re lucky to be in a region that is home to several different successful music scenes to explore – Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, and the Bay Area. Musically, Papa Roach and Deftones are from Sac, and who doesn’t want to rock like them!?
Let’s talk tattoos. Tell us about some of your favorite personal pieces and the tattoo artists that you worked with to bring the pieces to life.
David: My right forearm is the first half of what will be an eventual full sleeve. My right arm will represent the bands that inspire me to play music. As of right now I have Judas Priest’s cross logo, Trivium’s Ibaraki Skull, and Iron Maiden’s Eddie from the “The Number of the Beast” album. My left arm so far has three pieces from international travel. Ideally it becomes kind of a passport, with pieces from all over the world. I also have an exclamation point tattooed on my ankle, in honor of our drummer Julian’s Mom, Diana, who passed away earlier this year.
Is there a sophomore full-length or EP in the works?! Give us the scoop.
David: There is in fact a sophomore record in the works. We don’t have any tentative titles or release dates yet, however the writing process is coming along very well. We’re proud of what we’ve done so far with it, and we hope everyone digs it when it comes out!
Reflecting upon your journey as a musician, what do you perceive is the secret to maintaining creative chemistry within a band?
Nick: Being in a band with your best friends is a great experience. Collectively listening to music that we all enjoy helps as a unit helps us keep the inspiration fresh. We all share many of the same favorite bands.
What is your five-track ultimate guilty pleasure playlist?
Julian: I can occasionally rage to some hard hitting EDM
David: Some of Bruno Mars’ stuff is really good, not gonna lie.
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?!
Nick: Florida Georgia Line is terrible and you should never listen to them.
Julian: If Cinderella’s shoe fit perfectly, how’d it fall off?
David: Danke Schön das ihr uns mögt! Falls ihr das übersetzt bin ich stolz auf euch!
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