Quickies:
- From Brooklyn, New York
- Band members: Steven Terry, David Chernis, Alex Dezen, Ted Hudson
- Formed in 2001

Albums:
The Damnwells - released 2002 - Lidke The Shark
PMR +1 - released October 29, 2002 - In Music We Trust
Bastards Of The Beat - released 2004 - Red Ink/Epic

Bio:
The Damnwells are an infectious rock quartet that specialize in poppy alternative rock that often journeys into majestic and dreamy territory. Forming around the turn of the century, the Damnwells centered around singer/guitarist Alex Dezen, former Whiskeytown drummer Steven Terry, bassist Ted Hudson, and guitarist Dave Chernis. Recording throughout the spring of 2002, the resulting debut, PMR + 1, came out that fall after a successful stint as Cheap Trick’s opening band.

This Brooklyn group has a lot of assets that fans of Americana would lap up in a minute. After the brief introductory lament [on Bastards Of The Beat], lead singer Alex Dezen toes the line between roots rock and alternative pop à la Soul Asylum on the gleeful and grin-inducing “What You Get.” If there’s any drawback to the song, it comes off as a tad incomplete. But the Westerberg style on “Kiss Catastrophe” is excellent, a mid-tempo melancholic melody. The first breather on the album is a quasi-country ballad entitled “I’ll Be Around,” which sounds like a polished Wilco B-side attempt. The trumpet is a refreshing touch though. They nail the subsequent “Newborn History” far better, a slower and moodier effort resembling The Cash Brothers or, to a lesser extent, Goo Goo Dolls. It’s also the first tune that slowly evolves into a grandiose affair, with guitarist David Chernis adding crisp solos. Later on, this is further perfected with a solid “Electric Harmony.” “I Will Keep the Bad Things From You” is a far sparser number, with Dezen giving it a haunting, singer/songwriter touch that includes the sound of pages turning in the mix. Perhaps the highlight is the anthem-like pop/rock of “The Sound,” driven by drummer Steven Terry, bringing to mind The BoDeans in their heyday. One of the odder tunes is the blips- and bleeps-oozing on “The Lost Complaint,” a rich and sometimes lush pop song. The Damnwells again hit paydirt with the catchy roots pop of “New Delhi.” Whether future albums head down a pop/rock or Americana path, this album is a near-perfect blend of both as the delicious “Texas” proves.

Similiar Artists:
Wilco, Whiskeytown, The Jayhawks, Slobberbone, Josh Rouse, Paul Westerburg, Soul Asylum, The Cash Brothers, Goo Goo Dolls, The BoDeans

Links:
Official Site: thedamnwells.com
MySpace Profile: myspace.com/thedamnwells

Download:
The Damnwells - I Know What I Want exclusive unreleased track - Live on XM50: The Loft

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