Emerging from the high-octane world of global pop tours into their own unfiltered universe, DAMNAGE is a band born from the margins of the mainstream. Comprising Tim Stewart, Jonny Goood, and Tosh Peterson—musicians with credits alongside Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Fall Out Boy—DAMNAGE fuses the technical prowess of seasoned players with the raw urgency of artists starting from scratch. Their sound is confrontational, emotional, and entirely their own: an explosive collision of punk spirit, alt-rock grit, and the unpredictable beauty of total creative freedom. In this exclusive interview with TAGG, the trio opens up about art without compromise, the power of vulnerability, and building a legacy from chaos and truth.
DAMNAGE feels equal parts performance and protest. How do you see your music functioning as both art and resistance?
Our main purpose is to create art that takes you on an emotional journey, from vulnerability in “Never See It” to life’s exhaustion in “Try” and everything in between. We’re not resisting anything, just being us with no filter, which sometimes goes against the norm.
You’ve all worked with major industry figures — Gaga, Rihanna, Fall Out Boy. What artistic freedom does DAMNAGE give you that those gigs didn’t?
We’re grateful for every moment we get to play music on stage, no matter what. The difference is we’re in the driver’s seat in DAMNAGE, creating something unique to us, from scratch, no rules, no glitz.
The visual aesthetic of DAMNAGE feels deliberate. How do fashion, design, or visuals play into your identity as a band?
Our aesthetic is really just us being true to our individual selves, not overthinking anything. We wear what feels good to us; dress shirts to no shirts, boots to dirty chucks. There’s no dress code. Visually, we try to represent our truest form, fast pace, raw and fun.
Is there a visual artist or designer whose work feels aligned with DAMNAGE’s sonic energy?
We have amazing visual artists among our friends. Manu Lagoteta and Sam Aotaki are incredible visual artists. They definitely align with DAMNAGE’s energy on and off stage.
How do you navigate the tension between commercial success and underground credibility?
There’s no tension for us, we serve music no matter where we are. It’s a blessing whenever we get to play. The views from both are insane. It feels surreal to go from a stadium full of fans to a room of 50-100 people, grass roots and mostly friends.
Punk rock today looks very different than it did in the ’70s. What do you think is essential to keeping that spirit alive now?
Punk spirit is being 100% you, no apologies. It’s standing up, fighting for dreams, never taking no for answers when chasing what you want out of life. That’s how we live, on and off stage. That keeps the punk spirit alive.
You’ve described the album as “raw, feral, and calculated.” What’s the balance between chaos and intention in your process?
We let loose in the studio. No reservations, full transparency in our songs whether it was singing, yelling or playing instruments. Emotionally, we didn’t hold back. But we were calculated, in our approach, paying close attention to what we wanted to say and how we struck each note.
What’s the most “punk” thing you’ve done — outside of music?
Turning in my badge for a bass, moving to LA with little to no cash or experience, was a middle finger to stability. I learned on the go, it was wild as hell, betting on big dreams over reality.
How does masculinity (or deconstructing it) play a role in DAMNAGE’s tone and energy?
We don’t think about masculinity. We think more about vulnerability and bringing that to frontstage. Our tone and energy is raw emotion. We’ll pour out our hearts, like “Never See It,” then will scream our frustration, like “cheap talk”.
What role do vulnerability and rage play in your creative output?
Vulnerability is definitely our main creative output. We put whatever we feel in real life to songs. Not just one side, but all emotions we feel as humans, no holding back even if you discover there’s rage inside.
Let’s talk legacy — what do you want DAMNAGE to stand for artistically?
We want DAMNAGE to stand for authenticity and show the world the power of being true to yourself. We want to stand for raw energy with the substance that backs the music. To inspire people to be themselves, embrace their highs and lows and the good and bad parts that come with life.
What visual mediums inspire you — film, photography, architecture, fashion?
It’s a mix of all of them. Art’s inspiring, all entirely different and beautiful. It’s hard to choose. We’ve been blessed to travel the world, see amazing things. It’s easy to be inspired by just about anything nowadays.
If the DAMNAGE album were an art installation, what would it look like?
It’d be in downtown LA, gritty vibes. Lots of guitars and basses hanging from the ceiling. Drum sets stacked high, across the room. Lyrics torn and littered across the ground. Dim-lit stages with buzzing, busted amps and wired mics on bent microphone stands. A DJ blasting our favorite songs.
What makes a band art — rather than just a musical product?
The band’s intention is what separates product and art. Creating music from the heart, real and raw, not chasing perception but driven by purpose. Showing all sides of life; the pain, love, struggle, and joys put in your songs. That’s the difference.
Lastly, if you could collaborate with any artist (visual or musical), dead or alive, who would it be and why?
We could easily make a list between the three of us. But Mike Muir, who we’ve been blessed to open up a few shows for, would be an incredible collaboration. He’s a pioneer in this scene and paved the way for so many bands including ours. How he approaches the lifestyle, successful yet still approachable to everyone, is inspiring. He puts on legendary shows for a long time, full of energy, thoroughly organized, and runs his entire operation.
