MINIMAL DAMAGE are a Bedfordshire based band formed in June/July 2007, Taking influence from various genres most notably: punk, dub, ska and 2tone. We've played gigs mainly in the local area sharing the stage with bands such as ' Bad Manners, Skaville UK, Weightloss, The Toasters, The Pressure Tones, The Smoking Hearts, Once Over and Magic Skool Bus', also winnng the 'Bedford Metal Battle Of The Bands' in December 2007. We are now looking to play gigs further afield, while continuing to develop our own style of 'Punked Up Ska'!
We have recently recorded our debut EP 'ERASE THE DEFAULT'(recorded at Latent Lemon Studios, Luton) which consists of;
1. Writers Block 2. Chatterbox 3. Law And Order 4. Locations 5. Learning Curve
IF YOU WANT A COPY OF THE E.P. SEND US A MESSAGE OR COME TO A GIG. WE ALSO HAVE T SHIRTS (check our photo section).
EP Reviews:
"MINIMAL DAMAGE - Erase The Default: I've not heard much from Minimal Damage before and if you're like me then this five track EP is a good place to start. They play a fusion of catchy Ska and Punk with a bit of Reggae thrown in there here and there. Being upbeat is the best way to play this style of music and Minimal Damage do it with style. I like how their lyrics are thought provoking which adds to the charm of this release. Kicking off with 'Writers Block' this six-piece really give it their all through the other five numbers including 'Chatterbox', 'Law And Order' and 'Learning Curve'. You really can't go wrong with this band and I recommend you check 'em out!" 8.5/10 - Street Voice UK Music Magazine
"First up today we have Minimal Damage, a punk ass skacore 6 piece with a funky Ian Dury like laid back style to an otherwise sleuthy sound. This is there first E.P. 'Erase the Default' with 5 tracks showing a wide range of influences & emotions making the most of the way different sounds of ska, dub & reggae mix with punk, metal & hip hop! The vox & riddum have the style of Citizen Fish & P.A.I.N! whilst the horns give the music a lotta movement.& jazzy pazaz! From Bedfordshire, & already playing with the likes of Bad Manners & the Toasters to name a few, they've only been around a year & already have some tight & interesting songs which seem to have raw personal lyrics & a real good sound." -ARF Zine
"Let’s face it, whatever some people say about the ska genre, it’s definitely not dead in the local and neighbouring scenes, Minimal Damage played the Sno Bar not too long ago and shown that Bedford has a similar love for the offbeat as some of us do. One of the things that the band have and put to good use is their horn section and it hits you pretty much straight away with a hooky passage that drives the opening of “Writer’s Block” with a good blast that wakes you up when you start the Cd. We’d be lying if we said that this isn’t one of the strongest entrances we’ve heard on an Ep. Admittedly, a couple of the tracks seem to be the bog-standard ska affair (namely “Law & Order” and “Learning Curve”) which are good to bounce around but aren’t too much different from the norm, but there are a couple of gems in there that are definitely worth a listen to, the aforementioned “Writer’s Block” definitely has a very catchy pulse to it that I could imagine people bouncing up and down to it. Then you have “Locations” right on the other extreme with a chilled out vibe that borderlines the dub side of things with a tempo so low that it drifts along with a wholesome feeling. This leaves us with “Chatterbox” which is a bit more of a wild card, it’s not exactly anything “out there” but it’s a fun tune nonetheless and has a bit of a rogue charm to it along with a melody that tends to stick in your head. With the ska genre, you tend to have three main sounds, Latin, American and British, Minimal Damage thankfully fall into the latter and it’s the main appeal of the Ep. It’s not solely punk influenced or flitting with spanish chords or offbeats, it’s cheeky, got some good hooks and though the vocals aren’t terrific, you can’t deny that they add to that “British” feeling. The same goes for the Ep as a whole too, it may not be incredible, but it feels pretty balanced in terms of the range of sounds on display. If you’re after something different to the usual ska-punk then this worth checking out." - ampjam.net
Live Reviews:
"For Minimal Damage, Bed-Rock 07 was one of their first gigs, chosen to play for their wide reaching appeal; they demonstrated a verve and catchy quality that you couldn’t help moving about to and would suit the taste of anybody with ears!" - Bed-Rock 07 (Bedford Metal), 27th July 2007
"A refreshingly original act blending the old and the new, Giving a breath of fresh air amongst the bands that are out there!" - The Hobgoblin, 9th August 2007
"Brilliant sound and style, Very unique for younger people to play this style of music! The singer plays an important part with his 'Angry' style! Could easily draw a large audience!" - The Paddington, 10th August 2007
"Maximum Volume was given to MINIMAL DAMAGE who had everyone involved from the start, if a band member waved an arm - the crowd did. Ska punk touching on dub and two-tone, they were the band that got the most movement with its timeless sound that probably even a 40's war-time audience would enjoy. They now have 2 sax players making a welcome addition to the band. On their first few gigs I have to confess that I thought they had someone doing the singing as opposed to a singer doing the singing which I thought was a weak point of the band; pleasing to see now then, that the vocals have much improved now he has got in to his stride after a few gigs. Not just a band but a party crowd inducing machine as well it would seem!" - Battle Of The Bands (Heat 3), 21st September 2007
When local ska band Minimal Damage played here recently, a lack of crowd and atmosphere rather tempered their enthusiasm. Tonight both re-energize their potent power. Also the band are up to full strength with the full compliment of alto-sax back on board. With addictively compelling frontman Johnny rallying his seven-piece troops and the crowd as he enthusiastically asks everyone "Are You Up For a Dance?". Too right is, I'm sure, the collective response as they jump and bounce around in unison. The signs look good for this band as its a genre of music not fully represented in this town. - Bedford Esquires, 23rd November 2007
Strong support began with Ska youngsters Minimal Damage, who immediately ask the crowd to come forward and have a dance. As the band engage in ‘Dark March’, the audience readily respond to Boz’s request but he demands more as he urges the still hesitant and nervous punters to move it. This seem to have an effect as ‘The Damage’ sets the tone for the rest of the evening. As the set develops the crowd are loosened by a steady flow of ale, and freed of early inhibitions and dance. ‘Wolves and Vultures’ tells ohe ska tale of taking care of mates, while the heavy blast of brass totally dominates on ‘Balance of Power’, ‘Chatterbox’ follows a similar vein. Minimal Damage close with ‘Law and Order’, a new song that they have never publicly played before, it contains a faint reggae lilt that I enjoyed. - Bedford Esquires, 25th January 2008
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Videos:
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We changed our name to DON BROCO today and just wanted to let you know. Don�t worry its still the same line up and tunes and we�re currently writing some new songs that we�ll be playing on tour later this year. Keep an eye on our profile as things are gonna be pretty busy from now on. Hope to see you at a show soon.
WHOLE LOTTA' LED - 1ST AUGUST FREE FALL FELIX - 13TH AUGUST A WILHELM SCREAM - 17TH AUGUST. LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION - 18TH AUGUST ETERNAL LORD - 26TH AUGUST SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY - 3RD SEPTEMBER INME - 4TH SEPTEMBER SUMMER SLAUGHTER TOUR - 8TH SEPTEMBER THE MIRIMAR DISASTER - 9TH SEPTEMBER BACKYARD BABIES - 11TH SEPTEMBER WILKO JOHNSON - 12TH SEPTEMBER
in ITALY distribution by AMMONIA RECORDS(edel) for USA it's available on STUBBORN RECORDS for EUROPE & REST OF THE WORLD write a boss@skoolbus.eu LOVELY GIRL of skavesà it's free in SKOOLBUS RECORDS myspace download it and comment back cheers
at the river festival on saturday (by the main stage when you were playing) did you see me? i was with a bunch of 13 looking girls. i was the one wearing a blue hula thing round her neck (dont ask why) anyway. i thought you guys were amazing! i was gonna come say hi but i thought you might be busy or whatever lol.
ALL IDOLS FALL- DECK CHEESE POLITICAL HARDCORE LIKE IGNITE, BIG SING ALONGS AND PYRAMIDS THE SCRAPE- PULLED OUT COS OF HARD SHIT, KILLER REPLACEMENT TBA SOME TIME NEVER- MELODIC POST PUNK TO THE POINT AND INTERESTING LYRICS KINDA LIKE FUGAZI THE FRONLINE- FAST PUNK HARDCORE FEEL GOOD SONGS STOLEN WIVES- NORWICH HARDCORE THRASH PUNK SLEAZEY SHIT 7 DAY CONSPIRACY- POLITICAL PUNK SKA FROM KENT LIKE SNUFF MEETS PROPAGANDHI ON VARIOUS ARTISTS RECS CLAY PIGEON- SKA PUNK HIP HOP BEATBOX CUTTING LYRICS SAMMY'S FATAL MISTKE- EX EVIL MACARONI, FAST HEARTFELT POLITICALLY TINGED PUNK ROCK LIKE GOOD RIDDANCE THE SKINTS- EAST LONDON SKA PUNK AMAZING LIVE SHOW, CLASS ACT THE TAGNUTS- SKA PUNK GIMP CORE FROM CAMBRIDGE PLUS D.J. GOLDSMITH
YO BOZ AND GUYS! (and girl) COME CHECK US OUT AT ROTW ON SUNDAY AT 3:30PM ON THE PHILL FRIENDLY STAGE! ALSO WE GOT TRACKS FROM OUR NEW CD "DUDE, I JUST LOST THE GAME" ON THE MYSPACE, MUCH LOVE TO OUR SKA-PUNK BRETHREN. X
