The Temperance Movement lose drummer Damon Wilson

Damon Wilson, left, has left The Temperance Movement
Damon Wilson, left, has left The Temperance Movement

The Temperance Movement have announced drummer Damon Wilson is leaving the band.

The sticksman, who has been in the group for five years, confirms he’s leaving to spend more time with his family. The band say Simon Lea will perform with the group at forthcoming acoustic shows, followed by The Graveltones’ Mikey Sorbello behind the kit in Germany.

The Temperance Movement say: “It’s with heavy hearts that we find ourselves having to bid farewell to our brother, collaborator and drummer, Damon Wilson. We’ve had a great five 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.”

Wilson says: “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?’

“They’ve been my brothers. My teachers. My best friends. There’s been 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.”

The Temperance Movement have a number of tour dates scheduled over the coming months.

The Temperance Movement tour dates 2016⁄2017

Dec 08: Glasgow Oran Mor, UK
Dec 09: London Bush Hall, UK
Dec 13: Berlin Lido, Germany
Dec 14: Hamburg Uebel & Gefahrlich, Germany
Dec 16: Isrernhagen Blues Garage, Germany
Dec 17: Cologne Luxor, Germany
Dec 19: Aschaffenburg Colos-Saal, Germany
Dec 20: Stuttgart ClubCann, Germany
Dec 21: Munich Backstage Kultur, Germany
Jan 20: Strasbourg La Laiterie, France
Jan 21: Nancy Le Hublot, France
Jan 22: Lille Le Splendid, France
Jan 24: Paris le Divan Du Monde, France
Jan 26: rennes Ubu, France
Jan 27: La Roche Su Yon Fuzz Yon, France
Jan 28: Cognac West Rock, France
Jan 29: Limoges La Fourmi, France
Feb 01: Besancon La Rodia, France
Feb 02: Lyon Peniche La Marquise, France
Feb 03: Marseille Moulin, France
Feb 04: Toulouse Metronum, France
Feb 09: Zoetermeer Concert Hall Boerderij, Netherlands
Feb 10: Weert De Bosuil, Netherlands

Q&A: The Temperance Movement

Former TeamRock news desk member Christina joined our team in late 2015, and although her time working on online rock news was fairly brief, she made a huge impact by contributing close to 1500 stories. Christina also interviewed artists including Deftones frontman Chino Moreno and worked at the Download festival. In late 2016, Christina left rock journalism to pursue a career in current affairs. In 2021, she was named Local Weekly Feature Writer of the Year at the Scottish Press Awards.