Damon Johnson to Release New Album, 'Memoirs of an Uprising'

Today, Double Dragon Records reveals the artwork and release date for Memoirs of an Uprising, the self-produced new album from singer/songwriter/guitarist, Damon Johnson. The album is set for release on March 8, 2019 with pre-orders beginning January 25, 2019. Fans who pre-order Memoirs of an Uprising will receive the album's debut single, "Shivering Shivering," as an instant grat track. Orders for a limited edition Red Vinyl pressing of the album can be placed here.

After incredible runs with the bands he co-founded, Black Star Riders and 90's chart toppers, Brother Cane, Damon Johnson found himself in spring of 2018 in a surprising position. Johnson had just completed a coast to coast tour with BSR supporting Judas Priest, as well as select reunion performances with Thin Lizzy, when he realized there were two things he couldn't stop thinking about; his family and his music. Would 2019 finally be the year Johnson gives full focus to the music he kept hearing in his mind, composing an album, a true collection of songs that represented his personal vision, plus have the final say about his tour calendar? The answer was a resounding, YES!

Johnson explains, "After that Priest tour I was feeling anxious about some things: getting older, where my career would be in 10 years, how much time I was continually spending (mostly in foreign countries) away from my wife and our two youngest kids...plus I was sitting on a near completed solo album of the most honest music I've ever made. Ignoring some hard truths could not be a part of my deal anymore." So Johnson made the decision to part ways with Black Star Riders, finish his album, and start over...this time completely on his own name.

The resulting album, Memoirs Of An Uprising is a collection that is both fierce and diverse - a powerful springboard for the musician to start his next chapter. Collaborating with his longtime friend and songwriter, Jim "Johnny Blade" Troglen, Johnson began assembling a group of songs in divergent tempos and grooves that appealed to his musical side and then laced them with lyrical themes of betrayal and revenge. "The first two songs we put together were "Shivering Shivering" and "Dallas Coulda Been A Beatdown" and I knew we were off to a great start," says Johnson. Throughout Memoirs Of An Uprising there are musical events that are strictly meant to get bodies moving, like "Dallas..." and "Making Peace With This Wicked Beast." There are some truly challenged literary actors in "We Got A System" and "The World Keeps Spinning Round." When it is suggested that this could be a concept album, Johnson says, "As much as I'd prefer to steer clear of that label, there is no denying these 10 songs can be consumed in one listen and feel like a complete story."

Album pre-order is available HERE.

Track Listing for Memoirs Of An Uprising

Shivering Shivering

Dallas Coulda Been a Beatdown

Down on Me

We Got a System

Call It a Trade

Rage with Me

So Brutal

The World Keeps Spinning Round

Making Peace with This Wicked Beast

Glorious

With a busy year ahead, Johnson will perform his first shows of 2019 at the end of January and continue throughout the year. Partial listing below with more to come.

Tour Dates:
1/29 - New York NY - Iridium
1/30 - New York NY - Iridium
2/14 - Helena MT - Lewis & Clark
2/15 - Fresno CA - Tower Theater Lounge
5/8 - Nashville TN - The Basement East w/The Winery Dogs

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