Damian Knapp
Band Story
DAMIAN KNAPP: BLUES ROOTED, ROCK-RAISED, AND RESTLESSLY ECLECTIC
Damian Knapp has spent over a decade navigating the rich, unpredictable terrain of American music with a guitar in hand and a fire in his soul. An eclectic singer-songwriter and guitarist, Knapp’s musical path has led him through smoky juke joints, historic concert halls, and the unforgiving crucible of the independent music world—with three albums and countless performances to show for it.
On January 27th, Knapp and his five-piece band headlined the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio, turning heads with a set that showcased songs from his latest album, Will You Cry When I Die?—a deeply personal project created in collaboration with his father, the late Peter Knapp. The album has been described by Karen E. Graves of The Other Paper (Columbus, OH) as “an unexpected eclectic blend of rootsy Americana, colorful hippie-ish jams, and subtle blues.”
That show at the Beachland was just the beginning. In early February, Knapp traveled south to Memphis, Tennessee, to compete in the 2007 International Blues Challenge (IBC), held annually on the legendary Beale Street. It marked his second consecutive year at the IBC, having represented Columbus, OH in 2006 and Youngstown, OH in 2007.
While in the Delta, Knapp paid homage to the genre’s roots, performing at iconic juke joints like Red’s Lounge and Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It was a fitting tribute for an artist whose 2003 release, Hellhounds and Hot Foot Powder, features raw, acoustic interpretations of Mississippi Delta Blues classics. The record includes reimaginings of songs by Robert Johnson, Skip James, Son House, Muddy Waters, and more—a back porch blues session drenched in authenticity.
Back in Ohio, Knapp opened for acoustic blues legend John Hammond at the historic B&O Station in Youngstown. Local FM 93.3 ‘Tangled Up In Blues’ co-host Cornel Bogdan summed it up: “Damian is as old school as it comes—he’s back porch blues, and that’s what I love about him.”
From there, Knapp made his way to New York City, debuting at the Murray Street Grille in Manhattan as part of a showcase hosted by Blue Storm Music and Elmore Magazine. Mixing selections from his entire catalog, he reintroduced tracks from his 2002 debut Final Justice, a classic rock-tinged critique of American life. Broadside Magazine once described it as “a soundtrack of a night in the life of some crazy Ohio ****-ups, stained with Pabst foam and mud from cow tipping.”
But it’s Will You Cry When I Die? that defines the heart of Knapp’s musical journey. Released in 2006 after more than two years of recording, the album is a tribute to a father-son collaboration that was tragically cut short. Peter Knapp, a former member of 'I Don’t Care'—a band signed to Buddha Records in the 1970s and known for sharing stages with Bruce Springsteen and Frank Zappa—had spent years writing lyrics and musical sketches while living in Maui, Hawaii. In 2003, father and son reconciled and began building an album based on Peter’s notebooks and Damian’s music. Just months later, Peter passed away unexpectedly at the age of 54.
Damian carried on the vision alone, crafting a project that reviewer Kelly O'Neil of ReviewYou.com called “an album that takes the listener on a head trip.” It's a tapestry of styles—blues, jazz, reggae, folk rock, and classic rock—woven together with emotional intensity and musical curiosity. With sonic nods to legends like John Lennon and Tom Waits, and a palette that includes horns, organ, slide guitar, and a rotating cast of top-tier musicians, the album stands as both a tribute and a statement of artistic identity.
Now based in Columbus, OH, Knapp is poised for a busy year ahead, with fresh performances lined up and new music on the horizon. He’s an artist who’s walked through shadows, found light in the cracks, and continues to turn life’s unpredictability into sound.
Damian Knapp doesn’t just play music. He lives it.
Damian Knapp has spent over a decade navigating the rich, unpredictable terrain of American music with a guitar in hand and a fire in his soul. An eclectic singer-songwriter and guitarist, Knapp’s musical path has led him through smoky juke joints, historic concert halls, and the unforgiving crucible of the independent music world—with three albums and countless performances to show for it.
On January 27th, Knapp and his five-piece band headlined the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio, turning heads with a set that showcased songs from his latest album, Will You Cry When I Die?—a deeply personal project created in collaboration with his father, the late Peter Knapp. The album has been described by Karen E. Graves of The Other Paper (Columbus, OH) as “an unexpected eclectic blend of rootsy Americana, colorful hippie-ish jams, and subtle blues.”
That show at the Beachland was just the beginning. In early February, Knapp traveled south to Memphis, Tennessee, to compete in the 2007 International Blues Challenge (IBC), held annually on the legendary Beale Street. It marked his second consecutive year at the IBC, having represented Columbus, OH in 2006 and Youngstown, OH in 2007.
While in the Delta, Knapp paid homage to the genre’s roots, performing at iconic juke joints like Red’s Lounge and Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It was a fitting tribute for an artist whose 2003 release, Hellhounds and Hot Foot Powder, features raw, acoustic interpretations of Mississippi Delta Blues classics. The record includes reimaginings of songs by Robert Johnson, Skip James, Son House, Muddy Waters, and more—a back porch blues session drenched in authenticity.
Back in Ohio, Knapp opened for acoustic blues legend John Hammond at the historic B&O Station in Youngstown. Local FM 93.3 ‘Tangled Up In Blues’ co-host Cornel Bogdan summed it up: “Damian is as old school as it comes—he’s back porch blues, and that’s what I love about him.”
From there, Knapp made his way to New York City, debuting at the Murray Street Grille in Manhattan as part of a showcase hosted by Blue Storm Music and Elmore Magazine. Mixing selections from his entire catalog, he reintroduced tracks from his 2002 debut Final Justice, a classic rock-tinged critique of American life. Broadside Magazine once described it as “a soundtrack of a night in the life of some crazy Ohio ****-ups, stained with Pabst foam and mud from cow tipping.”
But it’s Will You Cry When I Die? that defines the heart of Knapp’s musical journey. Released in 2006 after more than two years of recording, the album is a tribute to a father-son collaboration that was tragically cut short. Peter Knapp, a former member of 'I Don’t Care'—a band signed to Buddha Records in the 1970s and known for sharing stages with Bruce Springsteen and Frank Zappa—had spent years writing lyrics and musical sketches while living in Maui, Hawaii. In 2003, father and son reconciled and began building an album based on Peter’s notebooks and Damian’s music. Just months later, Peter passed away unexpectedly at the age of 54.
Damian carried on the vision alone, crafting a project that reviewer Kelly O'Neil of ReviewYou.com called “an album that takes the listener on a head trip.” It's a tapestry of styles—blues, jazz, reggae, folk rock, and classic rock—woven together with emotional intensity and musical curiosity. With sonic nods to legends like John Lennon and Tom Waits, and a palette that includes horns, organ, slide guitar, and a rotating cast of top-tier musicians, the album stands as both a tribute and a statement of artistic identity.
Now based in Columbus, OH, Knapp is poised for a busy year ahead, with fresh performances lined up and new music on the horizon. He’s an artist who’s walked through shadows, found light in the cracks, and continues to turn life’s unpredictability into sound.
Damian Knapp doesn’t just play music. He lives it.
Band Members
Damian Knapp and guitarist Teddy Pantelas on the album Will You Cry When I Die?
Damian Knapp and guitarist Teddy Pantelas on the album Will You Cry When I Die?
Location: AMERICA NORTH: USA: Ohio (OH)
Genre: Blues