Jesse Damon of Silent Rage
by Alex Barbieri
Staff Writers
L.A. AOR gods Silent Rage are stirring again. Lead singer and songwriter Jesse Damon took a break in the studio to talk about his upcoming solo album, the Rage’s plans for 2011, what we can all learn from Gene Simmons and whose chest is on the cover of their melodic rock masterpiece, Don’t Touch Me There.
HRH: Jesse, thanks for taking a moment and giving the Hardrock Haven audience an update on what you and SR are up to. Is there a new Silent Rage album in the works?
JESSE DAMON: It’s my pleasure to talk to Hardrock Haven about the latest news from the Rage camp. We are performing one more date this year on Nov. 20 in Los Angeles with Gilby Clarke and Little Caesar on the same bill. We’re also writing new material and stockpiling songs, but first on the agenda is to record two bonus tracks for our Don’t Touch Me There CD reissue, plus have it remastered. Then we plan to continue recording for a possible fifth studio album. No word as to a tentative release date or record label involved yet. One thing I can say is that we’ve been talking about having Paul Sabu (Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Shania Twain, John Waite, Heart) involved with producing it. We’re also planning a short trip to Europe for a festival in Italy, along with a string of dates in several countries Feb. 2011. We’ll be issuing a press release soon.
HRH: You’re halfway through recording the new Jesse Damon solo album, as well. Do you have a title yet, and are the songs a different style and sound than Silent Rage?
JD: No I don’t have a title yet. I left off from where I was at with my last CD, Rebel Within. It’s an extension of that album or a part two, if you will, and yes I think it does sound close to Silent Rage material. I have a lot of songs in my head and only so many can make it on to a Silent Rage album, so I record some of the other songs that could very well have been slated for an SR album.
HRH: You’ve said you like to go camping. Does nature inspire your songwriting?
JD: Absolutely, I love to go camping in the mountains, on a cove at a lake, or at the ocean shoreline. Being outside in the elements inspires me to write and motivates a lot of creativity, and sometimes literal stories and lyrics.
HRH: Who is in Silent Rage now and do you plan on playing live? Does the band have a following in Europe and Asia? What is the hard rock scene like in other parts of the world?
JD: The three original founding members EJ Curse, Mark Hawkins and myself, and our drummer Rodney Pino who’s been performing and recording with us since 2002. Yes, as I said before we are planning a Europe trip next year, along with more live dates in the states in 2011. Yes, we have a fanbase in parts of Europe — predominantly in the U.K., Italy and Germany, but it continues to grow. When we went to Switzerland last year, we picked up more fans, as well as in Japan when Frontiers Records licensed our last studio album “Four Letter Word” there in 2009.
HRH: Looking back at ’89, what was it like to write and record with Gene Simmons? Is he very directive in the studio? What did you learn from him about music and life that has stayed with you and you can pass on to fellow musicians?
JD: It was the best of times and it went by very fast. To meet Gene, then work with him as our record label president, personal manager, co-songwriter, and eventually with KISS was an eye opening experience of which you listened and took in all you could from Gene’s advice, experience and stories. He has a lot of them. He has definite directions at times and a lot of ideas in the studio. He wanted me to push myself so I’d never fall into settling for less than I knew I could do. He always told me to come prepared and to deliver the goods. You have to have an arsenal of ideas when working as an artist in the studio as well as co-writing a song with somebody like Gene Simmons. He was bold and straight forward, but also like-able and generous in nature when it came to advice, business decisions and life in general. I wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything! He’d say, ‘Jesse, enjoy the moment, here’s to the good life.’
HRH: How did the name Silent Rage come about? Was it inspired by the name Quiet Riot?
JD: Was it inspired by the name Quiet Riot, yes… and Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Iron Butterfly, etc. We started out as a band called Rage and within a few years we found out there was an east coast Rage band with an album in the works, so we wanted to make it better and add something to it such as Silent, without losing all of our fan base we had worked hard to build up as Rage.
HRH: Ok, whose chest is on the cover of Don’t Touch Me There, and did he become popular with the ladies after the album came out?
JD: That would be EJ Curse’s chest on the cover of DTMT. EJ has always been very popular with the woman, he’s a blessed man!
HRH: What are some of your wildest memories of the late ‘80s Sunset Strip scene? What is your favorite live gig of your musical career?
JD: I remember seeing all these people running down the street after a semi flat bed truck with Dokken jammin’ on it loud as hell in full regalia and back-line. Silent Rage had just finished performing a concert at the Whiskey A Go Go on the Sunset Strip and I thought, what the hell is all the commotion about as I stepped outside the front door of the Whiskey. All of a sudden, this wave of hundreds of people were coming at me and I got caught up in the mess. Before I knew it, I was right in front of The Roxy watching Dokken perform “It’s Not Love” (for the video shoot). It turned out to be pretty damn cool!
As for what was my favorite gig of my musical career, I’d have to say opening up for Black Sabbath at the New York Palladium to 8,500 screaming fans!
HRH: Give us your first thought that comes to mind on the following names and words:
Gene Simmons: Unique achiever, great eye for marketing.
Paul Sabu: Mentor, great ear for music
Bob Ezrin: Creative talent, with natural ability.
Melodic rock: My fave.
The music industry: A dog- eat-dog kinda world.
Silent Rage fans: Loyal, fanatical, and very kind people.
HRH: What music are you listening to lately, and is there a book you’ve read recently and would recommend?
JD: I love the blues, so occasionally I’m listening to Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Because of my love for the blues, I like listening to some country artists as well like Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Trace Atkins, Gretchen Daniels, Carrie Underwood — all the hitmakers, ‘cause you learn a lot from them and their songwriting. But of course, I like some contemporary and classic rock mixed in, from Stone Temple Pilots to Nickelback, Ratt and Whitesnake, and of course Sabbath and Kiss!
HRH: Do you have any thoughts on the passing of Ronnie James Dio? If so, any memories you’d like to share.
JD: I miss Ronnie James Dio. I got to see Heaven & Hell at the Forum in Los Angeles a couple years back and he was great to see and watch and listen to. What a nice gentleman. I also met him briefly at Los Angeles International Airport. He was coming in from Russia and I was heading to England. I walked up and said hi and we exchanged pleasantries, a handshake, smile and a laugh or two. I asked him how the fans were in Russia, and he said they couldn’t have been nicer. He wished me well for England and good luck, and I said, ‘Thanks, Ronnie!’
HRH: Tell us something we don’t know about Jesse Damon. What do you want to say to the world?
JD: I also have a big in interest in Hollywood set lighting. I’m a third generation union member of I.A.T.S.E. Local 728. My Grandpa was the Set Lighting Chief Department Head at Desilu/ Paramount Studios in Hollywood. My Dad and brother were also set lighting technicians, best boys and gaffers in their careers. As for me, I’ve managed to hold a tandem career in both music and set lighting for over thirty years!
HRH: Thank you, Jesse, for your time and openness. We’re looking forward to hearing your new solo album and new Silent Rage. Stop by anytime and keep us posted.
JD: Thanks Alex for your kindness and support for not only my career, but for all AOR melodic rock in general! See ya on the road all you rebels!!!
Visit the official Jesse Damon website at http://www.jessedamon.com/
Friend Jesse Damon on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/people/Jesse-Damon/652523872