damian & the displayers

Artist Information

Biography

damian israel shiner used to play with a cardboard guitar in his basement and lipsync to The Beatles, Elvis and Styx, much to the enjoyment (and sometimes ridicule) of his family and neighbors. Fast-forward more years than you’d believe, and after the celebrated endurance of his former band shinerjones (myspace.com/shinerjones), he's out on his own, playing with friends he’s made along the way.

shiner’s latest CD project, the basement sessions, is a collection of mostly acoustic (and one rock) versions of songs he has written over the years. Produced with his friend and bandmate, Chris Harris, the CD became available at shows in late June of 2007 while shiner, Harris, and bassist Wes Switzer were on tour, promoting this new project. They constitute the live act, while the CD features Daigo Fujiwara on acoustic stand-up bass, Robyn Priest on hand percussion, and Harris on the kit. shiner’s music has been featured on several compilation CD’s, boston radio shows, as well as in workout rooms and yoga classes. Having taken this latest project on the road (east coast, midwest, and most recently southern CA), shiner is excited about broadening his exposure -- more cities and dates to come!

As a cantor in several churches every weekend, more than a few people have told shiner that they come to church specifically to hear him sing. One fan remarked that she "hopes heaven sounds as nice!" Clearly, this is a voice not to miss!

Instrumentation

damian israel shiner - vocals, guitars, craziness
Chris Harris - vocals, drums/percussion, zanyness
Wesley Cole Switzer - bass, grooviness
Anne Marie David - vocals, keys, prom queeniness
Robyn Priest - hand percussion, cool vibeness

Discography

damian israel shiner : the basement sessions (2007) LP

shinerjones : don't (2006) single
shinerjones : new and improved (2004) LP
shinerjones : over again (2003) single
shinerjones : garage (2002) single
shinerjones (2000) 4-song EP
shinerjones : live at THE KELLS (1999) LP

COMPILATION contributions:
Hurricane Healing - Music that Heals (2008)
Positively Music Benefit CD (2008)
Indie Music for Life (2007)
TuneTank NXNE New Generation (2006)
Musselman Triathlon CD (2006)
Java with Javelyn II (2006)
Backroads Mainstreets (2002)
Perks LTD Sampler (2002)
Boston's Best of 2001 (2001)
Prisoners of Allston (2001)

Official Website

http://www.displaymusic.com/dis.html

Links

• Twitter
• Facebook
• MySpace
• Reverb Nation

Audio

• don't (electric demo)
  Listen  
• peace
  Listen  
• heaven (in studio - live)
  Listen  
• rock the casbah (cover, lounge version)
  Listen  
• sad (acoustic)
  Listen  
• the ELEPHANT (acoustic)
  Listen  
• precious
  Listen  
• prepare
  Listen  
• o holy night
  Listen  
• deny (acoustic)
  Listen  

Lyrics

• don't
• peace
• heaven
• rock the casbah
• sad
• the ELEPHANT
• precious
• prepare
• deny

Video

PEACE performed live at Copperfields, Boston : 5/1/10

Photo Gallery

Press

• Press is Coming... [+ Show ]
  

  damian is in the process of rebuilding since the break-up of shinerjones, and will be garnering pres...damian is in the process of rebuilding since the break-up of shinerjones, and will be garnering press soon. in the meantime, think good thoughts, and read about past projects below...
  
  :)

• Critic likes "Peace" [+ Show ]
  

  "'Peace' starts off strong with a beautiful a capella arrangement, and transitions nicely into a hea..."'Peace' starts off strong with a beautiful a capella arrangement, and transitions nicely into a heavier rock sound. Both the lyrics and melody are strong. Nicely done."

• Doug's Top Five for June [+ Show ]
  

  "Shiner Jones certainly lives up to their latest album's title new and improved. The band never so..."Shiner Jones certainly lives up to their latest album's title
  new and improved. The band never sounded better while
  boasting a feature unlike most local acts... they have two
  lead singers and two principal songwriters. Is it possible
  we have another Lennon/McCartney on our hands?
  
  Singer-songwriter-guitarist Damian Shiner and singer-
  songwriter-guitarist Charles Jones capably handle lead
  and backing chores while singer-bassist Steve Breman
  and singer-drummer Chris Harris round out this fine
  sounding band.
  
  Exhibiting a jangling pop sound, Shiner Jones injects
  layers of lead and harmony vocals everywhere the
  songs will permit. The result is musical and memorable.
  Songs that will permeate airwaves are the bounding
  opening track "Precious," the uplifting "Mariposa," the
  50s doo-wop/gospel inspired "Peace," and
  "Mountain of Love."
  
  If Shiner Jones is really new and improved, I can't wait
  to hear their next album!"
  
  - Douglas Sloan
  

• Butterfly disc review [+ Show ]
  

  "The music is vocally superb; these guys have great, powerful voices, that seem to span quite a ra..."The music is vocally superb; these guys have great,
  powerful voices, that seem to span quite a range,
  and give the album a BNL/Donovan sort of feel."
  
  - Marcella Iovanni
  

• Butterfly disc review 2 [+ Show ]
  

  "...Damian Israel Shiner (guitar, vocals), Charles Jones (guitar, vocals), and Steve Breman (bas..."...Damian Israel Shiner (guitar, vocals),
  Charles Jones (guitar, vocals), and Steve
  Breman (bass) deliver rock solid rhythms
  and some terrific harmonies with great range.
  Steve did a fabulous job producing the disc,
  along with drummer/engineer Tom Tincler.
  The acoustic guitars are crisp and punchy,
  and the bass is fat in the low end. Also of
  note is the enhanced CD aspect, which
  features lyrics, bio, a link to the band's
  website, and coolest of all, a medley of
  Simpson's soundbytes at the exit icon..."
  
  - Brian Westbye
  

• Butterfly disc review 3 [+ Show ]
  

  "Mariposa", is the catchiest of the four catchy tunes on this EP, and after hearing the opening ..."Mariposa", is the catchiest of the four catchy
  tunes on this EP, and after hearing the opening
  lyric, you will be humming the song all day.
  "'I want to be a butterfly,' she said, and I believe
  her," begins the song, before repeating the
  entire first verse in Spanish. A token acoustic
  guitar jam spices up the music a bit, and solid
  drum work throughout the tune is the
  instrumental highlight..."
  
  - Dan Pashman
  

• Butterfly disc review 4 [+ Show ]
  

  "Listening to shiner.jones' very sunny and pleasant acoustic pop, it's apparent that these music..."Listening to shiner.jones' very sunny and
  pleasant acoustic pop, it's apparent that
  these musicians have their hearts in it 100%."
  
  - Luke Pyles
  

Setlist

a typical ROCK set could last about one hour, and could include songs like...

peace, sad, deny, stand, the elephant, precious, don't, mariposa, conundrum, why, counter culture, focus and thanks

we also play acoustic sets that include some of our more singer-songwriter pieces like...

heaven, j.o.e., constantly, with, will, stations, kingdom, p.o.v. and lcd

we can combine the two, plus covers and play for about two-and-a-half to three hours.

covers you may find in our set include...

ring of fire - johnny cash, high and dry, fake plastic trees - radiohead, in your eyes - peter gabriel, for your love - the yardbirds, fell in love - the white stripes, eight days a week - the beatles, squeeze box - the who, rock the casbah - the clash, just like heaven, boys don't cry - the cure, take on me - aha, 500 miles - the proclaimers

Basic Requirements

Calendar