Damond Jiniya (ex Savatage singer) speaks...

TwizstedJesus · June 8th, 2011, 04:07 PM

Did anybody read Damond's comments on his time with Savatage? Why would he even speak now? He did alright as Zakks replacement, but does anybody really care about his shitty comments? He did one tour with them!

batmura · June 8th, 2011, 04:21 PM

Where are the comments? I'd like to read them. I think it's a shame Savatage never released an album with him. He was a killer vocalist.

jem777az · June 8th, 2011, 04:43 PM

Here's the Blabbermouth article:

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/bla...sitemID=159149

King Lek · June 8th, 2011, 06:09 PM

Timing is odd for sure, but I find noting wrong with the comments....great video though that they posted....he was, vocally, a perfect fit.

VenomGA · June 8th, 2011, 06:11 PM

sounds like the interviewer did a chop shop job of editing on that interview

yoshi14 · June 8th, 2011, 07:58 PM

Read the comments, you'll find a post by Damond clarifying some things about the interview......typical blabbermouth trying to stir up animosity by twisting the story

edgeofthorns · June 8th, 2011, 08:57 PM

I think it's funny that he seems to be blaming Savatage or Jon for picking up some "bad habits".

From the bootleg footage that I've seen of Damond fronting the band, he seems to have been a good hybrid of both Zak and Jon.

~Brian~

drmetal8 · June 8th, 2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batmura

Where are the comments? I'd like to read them. I think it's a shame Savatage never released an album with him. He was a killer vocalist.

Agree 100%. I saw Savatage in Dallas on the Poets & Madmen tour in 2001 with Damond. Just a phenomenal singer in every regard. Got to meet him too, he was a class act. It really is a crying shame he never recorded anything with the band!

What I can't believe after reading those quotes of his-- he waited around until 2009 expecting Savatage would do something? Yikes!

Magius · June 8th, 2011, 11:07 PM

I saw him om the Poets tour, and he was excellent. I'd like to see him do something else, since Savatage appears to be done.

Pellaz · June 9th, 2011, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magius

I saw him om the Poets tour, and he was excellent. I'd like to see him do something else, since Savatage appears to be done.

Same here...and not Diet of Worms. (PLEASE, not that.)

But I was blown away when I saw Damond fronting Savatage at the old Cotton Club (when it was under the Tabernacle)...truly a splendid frontman and so full of fire for the whole performance...even mouthing Jon's vocals into his mic when he wasn't actually singing them.
I remember a lot of guys wearing Savatage Legion shirts seeing Damond's gothy look, curling their lips in disdain....and then being blown away, just like me. Amazing night.
Nice guy, too, afterwards.

Azrael LenGraden · June 9th, 2011, 08:14 AM

Saw them twice on that tour...he was a GREAT fit...would have loved to have heard an album with him...

Justin Gaines · June 9th, 2011, 08:27 AM

He was really amazing the two times I saw him with Savatage, and it's a shame they weren't able to get him on an album. I don't see what good it does him to spout off about all this stuff now though. I'm sure it was disappointing to have the band fold just after he signed on, but it did raise his profile considerably. Find a new gig and move on.

SavaVIDude · June 9th, 2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmetal8

Agree 100%. I saw Savatage in Dallas on the Poets & Madmen tour in 2001 with Damond. Just a phenomenal singer in every regard. Got to meet him too, he was a class act. It really is a crying shame he never recorded anything with the band!

What I can't believe after reading those quotes of his-- he waited around until 2009 expecting Savatage would do something? Yikes!

You nailed it, dude!! I was a nomad for that tour and saw him a half dozen times. He could do the Zak stuff and the Jon stuff with an avengance!! (I was also at the Dallas show). I understand that "spooky" stuff - when he would sing HOMK, that part where he say's "my friends...", he could crouch down and walk the stage like some kind of crazed arachnid and growl it out. It was damn creepy!!!!

I had several chances to talk with him and he seemed very likable and humble. He brought an energy to Savatage at that time they sorely needed. I, too, would have loved to heard him in the studio!!!!

I saw nothing wrong with the inteview - very little in there was suprising. However, it was pretty easy to see the TSO thing coming, when everything they touched went platinum and Sava was lucky to sell 100,000 copies!!

Chris

mitchgx · June 9th, 2011, 10:26 AM

I don't see anything wrong with the comments...he's kept quiet for a long time, and is now just being honest about his perspective on the experience.

It's really a shame that nothing ever materialized with him and the band. I saw them in 2001 (I think it was 9/12, so it was a strange time), and Damond absolutely blew me away. He had so much talent, and an incredible amount of charisma. I'm surprised he hasn't been able to attach himself to something else yet.

ashaman7122 · June 9th, 2011, 11:33 PM

Had the pleasure of showing up early to a show in The Woodlands (Houston) and ended up having lunch with Damond, along with Mark Zonder. Shot pool with Joey Vera and Jeff Plate, and later critiqued soundcheck for both bands...but that's besides the point...ah, good times!

Anyway, Damond was happy as hell to be in the band and definitely gave his all as a performer. To my knowledge, he didn't have a lot of band cred, but had done more musical theater work at the time, so the whole heavy-metal touring thing was a bit new to him. He struck me as a very genuine person, a gifted performer, and a guy that was willing and able to assume the role of metal frontman, trading vocal licks with Jon all night. He was bombastic, dramatic, and ballsy, and a very welcome addition to the Savatage regime. The same may also be said of Jack Frost at the time, who punished his guitar and the stage like he had something to prove...Thorazine Shuffle, indeed!

At the time, I was hoping that Damond would become more than a hired gun (which it was very apparent he was at the time), but...life sucks...and he has become a very ignored footnote in the history of the band...and metal, in general, which is a shame.

Makes you wonder why he never appeared on a TSO stage, though.....

We will probably never know...

Rockbox1590 · June 10th, 2011, 12:08 AM

https://www.facebook.com/notes/damon...63946516998001

The full unedited version of the interview.

Angrafan · June 10th, 2011, 06:51 AM

I had the chance of seeing Savatage 3 or 4 times on that tour and I agree with all of you... He was great!

danfromnj · January 29th, 2012, 05:32 PM

This Thursday (2/2/12) (live 11:00 EST) and Saturday (2/4/12) (same time) music critic/author Aaron Joy will broadcast on his Savatage/TSO podcast show an exclusive 2-part interview with Savatage vocalist Damond Jiniya about the final years of Savatage, the good and bad, working with Jack Frost and Jeff Waters and even recording with Trans-Siberian Orchestra for an abandoned project.

This comes in response to the interview he did earlier last year for a Brazilian interview that, according to him, left A LOT lost in translation and made him, Jon Oliva and a lot of people not happy. (This is the interview being referred to earlier in this thread)

Jiniya asked Aaron to talk with him to clear up the picture and his experience with Savatage to set the record straight. It's a great interview and they really dig into some things. You can also find the show if you search for TSO in itunes.

Tune in here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/transsiberianorchestra

Bear · January 29th, 2012, 06:20 PM

I saw him sing when Sav toured with Nevermore and it was one of the reasons I fell out of like with Savatage....

Bear

edgeofthorns · January 30th, 2012, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danfromnj

This Thursday (2/2/12) (live 11:00 EST) and Saturday (2/4/12) (same time) music critic/author Aaron Joy will broadcast on his Savatage/TSO podcast show an exclusive 2-part interview with Savatage vocalist Damond Jiniya about the final years of Savatage, the good and bad, working with Jack Frost and Jeff Waters and even recording with Trans-Siberian Orchestra for an abandoned project.

This comes in response to the interview he did earlier last year for a Brazilian interview that, according to him, left A LOT lost in translation and made him, Jon Oliva and a lot of people not happy. (This is the interview being referred to earlier in this thread)

Jiniya asked Aaron to talk with him to clear up the picture and his experience with Savatage to set the record straight. It's a great interview and they really dig into some things. You can also find the show if you search for TSO in itunes.

Tune in here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/transsiberianorchestra

Hmmm...I'll check this out...thanks for the heads up! I had no idea (there's no reason for me to know) that Damond ever recorded with TSO. He would've been a killer vocalist for them for sure!

~Brian~

~Brian~

rcknchairLee · January 31st, 2012, 02:04 PM

I saw Damond with Savatage in Orlando,Fl in 2001. AMAZING the guy was perpetual motion, a complete mesmerizing frontman. He commanded your attention and you willingly gave it. I was so disappointed they didn't do anything further with him and Jack Frost. It was an amazing show I'll never forget and getting to hang out with Chris Jericho only added to an incredible night.

Azrael LenGraden · January 31st, 2012, 02:49 PM

Jericho Rocks!

Stingray11214 · February 2nd, 2012, 09:51 AM

Not for nothing, but why did Jiniya not go his own way? I mean, it was pretty obvious that Savatage was not going to record again.

TheLongshot · February 2nd, 2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingray11214

Not for nothing, but why did Jiniya not go his own way? I mean, it was pretty obvious that Savatage was not going to record again.

According to Wikipedia, it says that he's released three CDs since leaving Savatage.

June 8th, 2011, 04:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
TwizstedJesus Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 667	Damond Jiniya (ex Savatage singer) speaks... Did anybody read Damond's comments on his time with Savatage? Why would he even speak now? He did alright as Zakks replacement, but does anybody really care about his shitty comments? He did one tour with them!

June 8th, 2011, 04:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
batmura Sea of Tranquility Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 2,810	Where are the comments? I'd like to read them. I think it's a shame Savatage never released an album with him. He was a killer vocalist. __________________ Sea of Tranquility - The Web Destination for Progressive Music!

June 8th, 2011, 06:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
VenomGA At War With Stan Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,463	sounds like the interviewer did a chop shop job of editing on that interview __________________ Don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house....

June 8th, 2011, 08:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
edgeofthorns He carves his stone... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: City beneath the surface Posts: 6,270	I think it's funny that he seems to be blaming Savatage or Jon for picking up some "bad habits". From the bootleg footage that I've seen of Damond fronting the band, he seems to have been a good hybrid of both Zak and Jon. ~Brian~ __________________ https://www.facebook.com/?q#!/SavatageFan http://www.savatage.com/ www.jonoliva.net www.circle2circle.net

June 8th, 2011, 11:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
Magius ................. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,936	I saw him om the Poets tour, and he was excellent. I'd like to see him do something else, since Savatage appears to be done. __________________ Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think.

June 8th, 2011, 06:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
King Lek King of Lekworld Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lekworld Posts: 516	Timing is odd for sure, but I find noting wrong with the comments....great video though that they posted....he was, vocally, a perfect fit.

June 8th, 2011, 07:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
yoshi14 Magnitude 9 Fan Join Date: May 2006 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 188	Read the comments, you'll find a post by Damond clarifying some things about the interview......typical blabbermouth trying to stir up animosity by twisting the story

June 9th, 2011, 08:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
Azrael LenGraden Lake Of Fire Join Date: May 2004 Location: McHenry, IL, USA Posts: 959	Saw them twice on that tour...he was a GREAT fit...would have loved to have heard an album with him... __________________ Proud Sponsor of Armored Saint PPXIV Proud Sponsor of Serinity PPXIII Proud Sponsor of Vanden Plas PPXII Proud Sponsor of Enchant PPX http://www.lakeoffire.net http://www.youtube.com/VisionLakeofFire

June 9th, 2011, 08:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
Justin Gaines Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 3,605	He was really amazing the two times I saw him with Savatage, and it's a shame they weren't able to get him on an album. I don't see what good it does him to spout off about all this stuff now though. I'm sure it was disappointing to have the band fold just after he signed on, but it did raise his profile considerably. Find a new gig and move on. __________________ Justin Gaines News Editor/Senior Columnist, www.hardrockhaven.net On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/justinsgaines

June 9th, 2011, 10:26 AM	#14 (permalink)
mitchgx Tired and Irritable Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 270	I don't see anything wrong with the comments...he's kept quiet for a long time, and is now just being honest about his perspective on the experience. It's really a shame that nothing ever materialized with him and the band. I saw them in 2001 (I think it was 9/12, so it was a strange time), and Damond absolutely blew me away. He had so much talent, and an incredible amount of charisma. I'm surprised he hasn't been able to attach himself to something else yet.

June 9th, 2011, 11:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
ashaman7122 Crazy on a ship of fools Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,488	Had the pleasure of showing up early to a show in The Woodlands (Houston) and ended up having lunch with Damond, along with Mark Zonder. Shot pool with Joey Vera and Jeff Plate, and later critiqued soundcheck for both bands...but that's besides the point...ah, good times! Anyway, Damond was happy as hell to be in the band and definitely gave his all as a performer. To my knowledge, he didn't have a lot of band cred, but had done more musical theater work at the time, so the whole heavy-metal touring thing was a bit new to him. He struck me as a very genuine person, a gifted performer, and a guy that was willing and able to assume the role of metal frontman, trading vocal licks with Jon all night. He was bombastic, dramatic, and ballsy, and a very welcome addition to the Savatage regime. The same may also be said of Jack Frost at the time, who punished his guitar and the stage like he had something to prove...Thorazine Shuffle, indeed! At the time, I was hoping that Damond would become more than a hired gun (which it was very apparent he was at the time), but...life sucks...and he has become a very ignored footnote in the history of the band...and metal, in general, which is a shame. Makes you wonder why he never appeared on a TSO stage, though..... We will probably never know...

June 10th, 2011, 12:08 AM	#16 (permalink)
Rockbox1590 The layman of prog Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 60	https://www.facebook.com/notes/damon...63946516998001 The full unedited version of the interview.

June 10th, 2011, 06:51 AM	#17 (permalink)
Angrafan Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,488	I had the chance of seeing Savatage 3 or 4 times on that tour and I agree with all of you... He was great!

January 29th, 2012, 05:32 PM	#18 (permalink)
danfromnj Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1	This Thursday (2/2/12) (live 11:00 EST) and Saturday (2/4/12) (same time) music critic/author Aaron Joy will broadcast on his Savatage/TSO podcast show an exclusive 2-part interview with Savatage vocalist Damond Jiniya about the final years of Savatage, the good and bad, working with Jack Frost and Jeff Waters and even recording with Trans-Siberian Orchestra for an abandoned project. This comes in response to the interview he did earlier last year for a Brazilian interview that, according to him, left A LOT lost in translation and made him, Jon Oliva and a lot of people not happy. (This is the interview being referred to earlier in this thread) Jiniya asked Aaron to talk with him to clear up the picture and his experience with Savatage to set the record straight. It's a great interview and they really dig into some things. You can also find the show if you search for TSO in itunes. Tune in here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/transsiberianorchestra

January 29th, 2012, 06:20 PM	#19 (permalink)
Bear Got Shred?? Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 3,449	I saw him sing when Sav toured with Nevermore and it was one of the reasons I fell out of like with Savatage.... Bear

January 31st, 2012, 02:04 PM	#21 (permalink)
rcknchairLee rcknchairLee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Calhoun, GA Posts: 23	Damond Jiniya I saw Damond with Savatage in Orlando,Fl in 2001. AMAZING the guy was perpetual motion, a complete mesmerizing frontman. He commanded your attention and you willingly gave it. I was so disappointed they didn't do anything further with him and Jack Frost. It was an amazing show I'll never forget and getting to hang out with Chris Jericho only added to an incredible night. __________________ [i]Lee C Webb [/I]II

January 31st, 2012, 02:49 PM	#22 (permalink)
Azrael LenGraden Lake Of Fire Join Date: May 2004 Location: McHenry, IL, USA Posts: 959	Jericho Rocks! __________________ Proud Sponsor of Armored Saint PPXIV Proud Sponsor of Serinity PPXIII Proud Sponsor of Vanden Plas PPXII Proud Sponsor of Enchant PPX http://www.lakeoffire.net http://www.youtube.com/VisionLakeofFire

February 2nd, 2012, 09:51 AM	#23 (permalink)
Stingray11214 OSA Triumvir Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,254	Not for nothing, but why did Jiniya not go his own way? I mean, it was pretty obvious that Savatage was not going to record again. __________________ Oceansouls of America: Proud Bastard Child of the Nightwish Community Since 2003! *"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'"* President Ronald W. Reagan