Damned

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Background information
Born	Somewhere in the dumpster
Origin	Washington D.C.
Genre	Rock / Alternative / Electro
Years active	2006-present
Label	Elite (January 2007-present)
Associated acts
Alicia B Alesha

DAMNED is an electro rock band whom started out as an indie rock band, signed to a major record deal later and is known for their hit singles "Silent Killer", "White Beer & An Alcoholic Nation" and "Something You Wish You Didn't Hear".

The band's line up includes the outspoken front woman Halle York, lead guitarist Stans 'E' Madison, bass guitarist Dobie Lubricant, backing vocals and keyboarder Reggie D and drummer Vinz Lucifer. They achieved credible success with their debut album "Silent Killer" but it wasn't until their third album "Kill The Lights, Where's The Noise?" where the band achieved their first #1 single, as well as a critically-acclaimed #1 album as the band move towards a slightly more electronic rock sound.

After a string of successful singles and albums, the band will take a indefinite break from 2010.

2003- 2006: Fraud Project[edit | edit source]

In 2003, Dobie Lubricant (bass guitarist), Vinz Lucifer (drummer), Stans 'E' Madison (lead guitar) and Reggie D (vocals, keyboards) formed a band called Fraud Project. They played alternative/glam rock music at that time, and recorded a few demos but were not signed until 2004. Fraud Project released three singles and a EP independently, but failed to make any impact on the charts. Just as they were about to give up, things changed when they met operatic singer Halle York. York first met the band during one of their gigs at Galaxy Cafe, London. During that particular show, lead singer then Reggie D was said to be too ill to perform, but the show couldn't go on without a lead singer. Their manager, who is a distant relative of York, contacted her to ask if she could lead the band for the vocals temporarily. York quickly learn the lyrics and melody to the band's songs, and continued with the show. The band were impressed with York's interpretation of vocal skills, and her magnificent stage presence. As time goes by, York finds herself attached to the band regularly, singing at the gigs with the band.

2007: Silent Killer[edit | edit source]

They released their first single Murdered In A Rush on the 1st Of January 2007 and it charted at #5, then rise a spot the following week, with sales exceed to get themselves a silver certification - not at all an easy task for a new indie band.

After the success of their debut single, they realized that having to sign with an indie label might budget them from doing more things. So they were asked to release from Detonation Records and were signed with Elite Records, managed by singer Louise Harlow. They then released their second single, Silent Killer, which debut at #4. Along with the single with the same title, the album Silent Killer was released 3 weeks later, it peaked at #5 and went platinum after the third single release.

Their third single Kisses From The Devil, a collaboration with veteran rocker Alicia B, released on April 30, peak at #4, giving them yet another Top 5 from the album. The single is also has the longest chart run amongst all their other singles. The fourth single was an EP, titled Haunted EP, due to a quiet week and low-key promotion from the band, the single hit #7, the first to miss out Top 5. The band released their final single White Beer & An Alcoholic Nation / The Killing Of Rachel, along with the special edition of their debut album Silent Killer on September 24. The single broke the chain of Top 5 as it debuts at #3, making it their highest single position and the biggest first-week selling single as yet. The promotion paid off, as the re-release of Silent Killer peaks at #2.

2008: Philosophy Of Reincarnation[edit | edit source]

According to NME at September 2007, there was an article on the band already writing and recording their second album. York told NME that they are currently experimenting on all different kinds of rock genre, but instead of mashing up everything together like Silent Killer, they will specifically stick to one for this coming record.

At February 2008, York and the gang announced that they're back with their brand new single, Incense, followed by their sophomore effort, aptly titled Philosophy Of Reincarnation. The single charted at #6. The band will follow up the release with Living Corpse Of The Dead and Alibi / Last in the running year.

Another track from the album, "Walk With Me" was supposed to be released as the final single, but was pull out due to the poor sales of the album.

2009: Kill The Lights, Where's The Noise?[edit | edit source]

According to DAMNED's official website, York and gang will bring out their third studio album at around March 2009. The first single Something You Wish You Didn't Hear was released on January 12 as a buzz single, which tests a new direction of rock music for the band. Fans and critics-alike are fairly positive to the new sound and the single charted at #3 on the UK singles charts, their highest position since "The Killing Of Rachel / White Beer & An Alcoholic Nation" more than a year ago.

York told the press that the new album, entitled Kill The Lights, Where's The Noise?, will move towards a slightly more light-hearted electronic rock material. The new album will hear production and writing from electropop brothers Indigo Peak and "White Beer & An Alcoholic Nation" co-writer Alesha. Other co-writers will include China, Stacy Hart and Veronica's Science. The second single of the same title is released on April 27, followed by the album a week later.

Both the single and album achieved major success as it tops the charts on the week of release. The band then release "Hard To Find Something Nice To Say" featuring Alesha, on July 20, which made Top 5 on the weekend charts.

The fourth single "Saving My Face" was planned for an October release, but was canceled due to schedule clash, instead it will co-incide with their next release as an airplay single. It charted at #35 on the airplay charts. In January 2010, the band came back with the actual fourth single, "Taking Back Venus", which was originally released by rock band Veronica's Science. It went straight to #1, becoming the band's second number one single.

The final single, "Gritty EP" sees a drastic change in the musical direction of the band as they dabbled as different genres of music on all four songs on the EP. A 60s motown pop edit of Mad Woman was recorded, with the music video starring Hailey Klass, Butterscotch and Danelle Becker. The urban version of Gritty, aptly titled as 'Nitty Gritty (Praise You Remix)' features Tiger Tiger singer Saffiyah Compton and urban star Loretta Lambert, on both the song and the video. The third song was Rachel Anderson, an album track which sounds very much alike to their earlier albums. Looks To Kill was cancelled after the controversy with Syd Wolfe, who performed the original of the song.

"Kill The Lights, Where's The Noise?" became the band's biggest selling, both financially and critically successful album. It sold 1,122,679 copies in the UK, making up the total of the band's first two albums' sales.

Halle York's controversies[edit | edit source]

Lead singer Halle York has caused many controversies since her arrival on the music scene. Her past history have been disastrous, with strings of controversies from being a lesbian to having to work as an armpit licker in the past. And one of the biggest pet peeve of the band is that they carry chainsaws with them wherever they go - ironically its only for performing purposes, they were being called as the "scary chainsaw band" by tabloids due to that.

York expressed her extreme hatred towards pop singer Christine Tyler, whom barged in on the defense of her good friend Autumn White, after York allegedly punched White in the face. The pair caused a huge hoo haa when both acts release their respective singles "Hail To The Cheat" and "Kisses From The Devil" on the same date - in which Christine edged the band when she got #1. Although both acts managed to stay on the charts for a respectable 9 weeks.

She also made enemies with popstars Emily Henning and Taylor Brookes. It was said that Brookes got herself a new nose only after York saw it off with her chainsaw. Henning and York has said to have reconciled since then.

In early 2009, York has made a full-pledge pact to hate newcomer Violetta DiNozzo, claiming she was "shite". The rivalry ended after York joined the FBI only to find out Dinuzzo's dark past, and was put into jail shortly after. Things have cool down since, York and DiNozzo are in speaking terms. During the same period, she was threatened by RnB singer Alicia Jones after York made comments about Jones' mother. Jones was taken away by the police after York press charges at the singer. She considers herself good friends with Alex Washington, China, 4tune and Elice Claire.

Since the start of the band's career in 2007, their image changed drastically from their third album Kill The Lights, Where's The Noise? from being an emo/alternative rock band to a faux electro pop/rock band. Many critics have slammed them for selling out but York seriously doesn't care.

As of late, Halle also lashed out on pop star Syd Wolfe, after two consecutive incidents regarding Halle using Syd's songs and a controversy about Halle's label Elite. Syd's brother Taylor Wolfe was also another victim when Halle decided to fire the singer from her label in 2010.

The leading woman also gets questioned regarding her status in the band, rumours circulating that York wanted to leave the band since they started.