Eclectic American Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Damian Knapp has been pursuing his musical path for over a decade now, with live performances and three CD releases. On January 27th of this year, Damian and his five piece band headlined the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, OH. At his Beachland show, Knapp featured songs from his latest CD, ‘Will You Cry When I Die?', a collaboration between him and his father. The music was recently described as "An unexpected eclectic blend of rootsy Americana, colorful hippie-ish jams and subtle blues" by Karen E. Graves of the ‘Other Paper', Columbus Ohio's weekly entertainment paper. After the Beachland show, he left for Memphis, TN to participate in the 2007 International Blues Challenge, held on Beal St. every year, on February 1st and 2nd. It was the second year in a row Knapp made the trip to Memphis for the IBC, representing Columbus, OH in 2006 and Youngstown, OH in 2007. While in the south, Damian traveled to Clarkesdale, MS, and played at juke joints Red's Lounge and Ground Zero blues clubs. Damian's 2003 CD, ‘Hellhounds and Hot Foot Powder', finds him in a solo acoustic setting playing interpretations of Mississippi Delta Blues classics with songs by Robert Johnson, Skip James, Tommy Johnson Charlie Patton, Muddy Waters, and Son House. After returning to Ohio, he had the honor of opening for legendary acoustic blues recording artist John Hammond at the historic B&O Station in downtown Youngstown, OH. WNCD Youngstown FM 93.3 ‘Tangled Up In Blues' radio co-host Cornel Bogdan stated, "Damian is as old school as it comes, he's back porch blues, and that's what I love about him." Later that same week, Damian made his NYC debut, to do a showcase for Blue Storm Music and Elmore Magazine at the Murray St. Grille in Manhatten. At the showcase, Knapp played a mix of his material, even bringing back a few songs from his first CD, ‘Final Justice'(2002), his classic rock sounding dissertation on modern American culture. The music from ‘Final Justice' was reviewed by Broadside Magazine, they stated, "A soundtrack of a night in the life of some crazy Ohio ****-ups, stained with Pabst foam and mud from cow tipping." Shortly after his return from NYC, Knapp made a permanent move to Columbus, OH, where he now resides.
His new CD of original music, 'Will You Cry When I Die?', was released in 2006 after over two years of production. Reviewyou.com journalist Kelly O' Neil professed, "The incredible story of Peter and Damian Knapp transforms Will You Cry When I Die? from just an aurally pleasing album, to an album that takes the listener on a head trip." His new CD features songs composed by Damian and his father, former 'I Don't Care' founder Peter Knapp. 'I Don't Care' was signed with the now legendary Buddha Records in 1976, releasing ‘Ask Anyone' in 1976, and performed with such national acts as Bruce Springsteen(Bruce opened the show) and Frank Zappa. Peter retired from music, and lived in Maui,HI from 1988-2001, where he continued to write lyrics and musical ideas that he kept in two compositional notebooks. After years of quarrel and estrangement, father and son reunited during the summer of 2003 and began writing songs based on Peter's notebooks and Damian's musical ideas. Unexpectedly, Peter died suddenly on October 16th, 2003, at the age of 54. Damian carried on their vision, working on the album over the next two years. If you like artists who can shift gears, they visit blues, jazz, reggae, and classic rock sounds to deliver a folk rock vibe. With influences such as John Lennon and Tom Waits, their music features plenty of horns, piano/organ, slide guitar, and a host of the most talented musicians Damian has worked with over the years. Damian is looking forward to a busy year, with many performances booked and recording new material on the horizon
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