‘We’re all a little damaged in some way’

Michael Neufeld thinks we can all live with a little damage in our lives.

Neufeld, of Newport Beach, is lead singer and songwriter for the five-member band, Damage. He said the group’s name reflects the fact they believe, “we’re all a little damaged in some way.”

Damage was nominated recently for a Los Angeles Music Award in the category “Rock Group with Vocal” for the single, “My Point of View” from the album “Truth and Consequence.” The Music Awards will take place Thursday at the Henry Fonda Theater in Los Angeles.

Neufeld said the nomination was an unexpected bonus.

“I was really pleased and excited, and a little surprised,” Neufeld said. “Everybody and their brother submits for that [award], and it’s very competitive.”

The band has been nominated three times for the Orange County Music Awards, and won the Best Hard Rock Band Award at last year’s Southern California Music Awards sponsored by Indie 103.1 F.M.

The group’s latest album, and the nominated song, written by Neufeld, is reflective of what all the band members, now “thirtysomethings” are going through personally.

“It’s a struggle in today’s environment for a man and a woman to have a traditional relationship, independent of agendas and goals,” said Neufeld, adding that he believes it’s never too late to rearrange your own point of view.

“It’s a blessing to be able to somehow capture all that in a song, and if it’s meaningful for you, it’s probably going to be the same for other people, too.”

Damage’s first album, “Velocity,” was released in 2005, a time Neufeld described as a period of change and introspection for all the guys in the band.

“When you’re younger, and in today’s world, it’s easy to be selfish, and self absorbed,” said Neufeld. “We need to take a breath, step back, and try to take care of each other.”

“Truth and Consequence” is a little more reflective of where the band is now, Neufeld said — figuring out what’s really important.

Neufeld produced the album with Scott Ragotskie, owner of Sound Matrix Studios in Fountain Valley. The small production meant Neufeld could produce an album the way he truly imagined it — something that’s difficult to do with an outside producer.

Ragotskie said he and Neufeld worked well together in the studio, adding the band has a unique sound that sets them apart from other groups.

“They have diversification of instrumentation. There are a lot of different instruments with different tonal characters. You have a cello, horns, piano and organs in the middle of a rock song,” Ragotskie said.

Neufeld’s great songwriting ability is a plus as well.

“Mike writes some hooky bridges,” Ragotskie said, and the changes between verse and chorus are his favorite parts of the album.

Ragotskie said the album is unique from a lyrical perspective as well.

“They tell good, subjective stories, and people can take the lyrics however they want. The themes are universal.”

Neufeld said the goal for a band today is to get the music out there as cost-effectively as you can, and it’s all about getting music out there on the Internet.

Garageband.com is a great vehicle for indie bands, Neufeld said, and has given them a lot of exposure.

“We’re living proof that when you can put your music out there, things happen,” he said.

The group has undergone a lot of changes, both personally and professionally, but Neufeld said they’re just going through what everyone goes through, and they want to express that through their music.

“The reality is that we’re all in this together, and if we act in an isolated fashion, the consequences are not very good, and that’s where the title for the album came from.”

For information on Damage, or to purchase tickets for upcoming shows, go to www.myspace.com/damage or e-mail [email protected].

SUE THOENSEN may be reached at (714) 966-4627 or at [email protected].