A DCB Fansite
Biography
Introducing the band:
Guitar & Vocals – Damien Cripps
Drums – Frank Celenza
Bass & Vocals – Kristopher Webb
Guitar – Michael Basham
Vocals – Chelsea Basham
Influences:
John Mellencamp, Kiss, John Mayer, The Dave Mathews Band,
Incubus, Toto, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Faith No More,
Mr Bungle, INXS, U2, Del Amitri, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Crowded House, ACDC
The Story:
The Damien Cripps Band came into being in February 2005 after a series of bands that
Damien had been in over the last 7-8 years. The bands preceding were Magnum Rush,
Cool Bananas, Giftbox, Steel Rex and the Beautiful People and Filthy Bill. Damien had penned
around 40 songs and decided to get to releasing them and touring under his own name.
Early in 2005 the band released their first single Pictures with Eric Wiedeman of 1927 adding
vocals on the second verse and Robbie James of GANGgajang adding his magic guitar to the
track. The Track received a fair amount of radio support (96fm Perth, Red FM, WA FM and
coast FM (Mandurah). The band went on a fairly extensive tour in support of this single covering
nearly the whole state of W.A. Kununurra to Albany in just four weeks. The shows were
well received and the future looked bright.
The second single was released in Oct 2005 Angels in Darkness with a guest appearance
from Cle from series one of Australian Idol. This was a laid back release as the bands
finances were tied up in other matters. It did receive some radio support but with the heavier
guitar base of the song was probably not as radio friendly as the first single.
Damien then joined nineteen 27 on a east coast tour and did an opening spot (support)
and joined nineteen 27 on stage as a second guitarist and vocals. This did drum some
Airplay for Angels in Darkness on 2ue in Sydney and the single sold out on the tour as
did all The Damien Cripps Band Merchandise.
Damien returned to Perth and continued working on the Album. The band is also filming a
documentary on being an undiscovered Australian Band and the struggle to make your mark against the
wealth of the record company financed acts. Damien got booked in January to appear as a solo act on the
Sembawang festival in Singapore and with a bit of interest from a European Promoter followed the visit to
Singapore with a small run of shows in Europe. France, Spain & Portugal. The Band worked on the debut
album with touring sound operator Kim Goodlet and Jon Villani (Northbridge Sound Studios).
The Band is currently performing gigs in and around Perth to sell-out audiences.