Damaged (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Defunct | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Ballarat, Victoria , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Damaged was a deathgrind ensemble originating from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, active between 1989 and 2004.
History
Drummer Matt "Skitz" Sanders founded the band alongside guitarists Mat Silcock and Chris Hill, bassist Jason Parker, and vocalist James Ludbrook. In 1992, they debuted with their demo titled The Art of Destroying Life. Their first full-length album, Do Not Spit, was released in 1993 through Black Hole Records. The following year, in 1994, Damaged supported Cannibal Corpse on tour. After Silcock's departure in 1996 and a conflict with Black Hole Records, the group temporarily disbanded. During this hiatus, Hill became a member of Melbourne’s Discordia, while Sanders toured Europe with Sadistik Exekution and performed with Abramelin.
The band reunited after securing a five-album contract with the American label Rotten Records. Under this deal, they issued Token Remedies Research in 1997 and appeared at the Metal for the Brain festival. Early in 1998, Damaged toured Australia alongside Entombed. Midway through this tour, Ludbrook was dismissed; Brendan Birge from Earth took over vocal duties but exited in 1999 due to internal disagreements. Parker also left around this time, reducing Damaged to a recording project with Sanders and Hill contributing to the heavy metal compilation Under the Southern Cross.
Towards the end of 1999, former Brutal Truth frontman Kevin Sharp joined the lineup. Their 2000 release, Purified in Pain, featured bassist Terry Vainoras from Order of Chaos. With Eddy Lacey of The Wolves on bass, Damaged embarked on a national tour in December. Following Sharp’s departure, the band entered a period of inactivity while Hill joined Running With Scissors and Sanders engaged in recording sessions with Hellspawn.
In 2003, Parker returned and ex-Uncle Chunk vocalist Dave Saddington became part of the group as Damaged resumed live shows, including a nationwide tour supporting Sepultura and headlining Metal for the Brain.
Damaged’s concluding performances took place in January 2004 when Sanders cited health concerns as reasons for halting activities. By March, Hill confirmed that live appearances had ended though recording efforts might persist.
After Damaged ceased operations, Sanders collaborated with Ludbrook and DW Norton of Superheist in the hardcore outfit Walk the Earth. They released an EP and toured with bands such as Slipknot and Mudvayne before Ludbrook’s exit led to the band's dissolution in mid-2005. Initial intentions to revive Damaged shifted towards forming Terrorust, which produced the album Post Mortal Archives.
Final Members
- Matt "Skitz" Sanders – drums (1989–2004)
- Jason "Mohawk" Parker – bass (1989–1999, 2003–2004)
- Chris "Hilly" Hill – guitar (1991–2004)
- Dave Saddington – vocals (2003–2004)
Former Members
- Jarrod Bongiorno – guitar (1989)
- Paul Medic – guitar (1989)
- Matt Silcock – guitar (1989–1996)
- James Ludbrooke – vocals (1989–1999)
- Christian Wallace – vocals (1998)
- Brendan Birge – vocals (1998–1999)
- Terry Vainorus – bass (1999–2000)
- Kevin Sharp – vocals (1999–2002)