It is with heavy hearts that we find ourselves having to bid farewell to our brother, collaborator and drummer, Damon Wilson. We’ve had a great 5 years together and accomplished so much together. We never take for granted how lucky we are to be able to travel and play music, but for some people there comes a point when it no longer makes sense for them, and that is the decision Damon has made. Of course, we accept and respect his decision completely.
Meanwhile the rest of us are as committed as ever to TTM and we can’t wait to play some shows. We’re very fortunate to have our long time friend, the incredible Simon Lea playing with us for our upcoming acoustic shows and in Germany we will be joined by a man many of you already know and love, Mr Mikey Sorbello of The Graveltones. Onwards! Damon has asked us to pass on his words below. xx
“I’ve have had a lot of proud moments being in The Temperance Movement.
Our first sold out show @ The Borderline.
Meeting Jimmy Page @ our Koko gig.
Opening for The Stones.
Making two albums of music the way we wanted to.
The amazing places we’ve visited.
There are too many OMG moments to list. But by far my biggest & most gobsmacking moment was the day in 2011 when Paul Luke & Phil paid me a visit at my house to invite me to join the band fully.
Up until that moment we’d just done a few gigs & the whole thing was very part time. We had songs & a band name but we weren’t really a band yet.
‘We want to really go for it & see how far we can take it’ Paul said with that glint in his eye.
Luke & Phil had that same glint. I’m pretty sure Nick had already been brought on board.
It hadn’t occurred to me that I might get this invitation.
I was pretty sure that anytime soon I’d be found out by these amazing guys & musicians & they’d go find a proper drummer!
‘Absolutely’ was my reply. And so it began.
And there’s rarely been a day go by in the past five years that I haven’t pinched myself & thought ‘How did I end up in this incredible gang of talented compassionate hilarious people?’
Paul. Phil. Nick. Matt. And Luke. They’ve been my brothers. My teachers. My best friends.
That’s why it’s with a very heavy heart that I tell you that I’m leaving The Temperance Movement.
No big argument or fall out.
We’re all still most excellent friends. I’ve simply reached a point where I need to spend a lot more time at home with my wife & three kids. That’s it.
I’m gonna feel like I’ve lost a limb for quite a while. Being with these guys has been genuinely life changing.
I want to thank The Temperance Movement & you amazing fans for the ride.
Long may it continue.
Lotsa love
Damon”
