RAPID CITY, S.D. – Sometimes all it takes is one opportunity.

For the members of New Damage, that opportunity came in the form of the 2026 Sturgis Battle of the Bands. After making the nearly 1,600-mile journey from Pennsylvania to the Black Hills, the young hard rock band walked away as champions—and with it, a coveted opening slot for David Lee Roth at the legendary Sturgis Buffalo Chip on August 7.

For vocalist and guitarist Nick Yelovich, the victory still hasn’t fully sunk in.

“It was surreal in the moment, and it’s still surreal,” Yelovich said during a recent interview on Buffalo Chip Radio. “I don’t think it’s really going to hit us until we walk out on that main stage and actually play.”

That stage is one of the biggest in the country during the 86th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, placing the band in front of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts and rock fans from around the world. The journey itself was no-small commitment. New Damage traveled two full days from Pennsylvania just for the chance to compete. While winning was the ultimate goal, Yelovich says the experience itself made the trip worthwhile.

“The competition was stiff. Every band there was incredible,” he said. “It was an honor just to share the stage with them. Everyone involved—from the Chamber of Commerce to the organizers, made us feel welcome.”

Out of nearly 200 bands that submitted nationally, New Damage earned one of only ten spots in the competition before ultimately taking home the title. The band’s story began shortly after high school in 2021 when Yelovich, bassist Ethan Creveling and drummer Adam Costello formed a three-piece. In 2023, guitarist Raif Groves joined the lineup, adding another layer to the band’s sound and helping elevate their live performances.

“Having a second guitar changed everything,” Yelovich explained. “It allowed me to focus more on singing and really opened up what we could do on stage.”

He also credits the band’s manager, Sarah Wert, for encouraging them to take a chance on Sturgis.

“She told us, ‘Throw your hat in the ring. If you win, this could be a game changer.’ We figured why not? We’re the type of band that’s going to jump on every opportunity.”

Part of New Damage’s identity is refusing to fit neatly into a single musical category. In fact, the band jokingly refers to themselves as the world’s “No. 1 Proto-Pennsylvania Slapcore Band.” Don’t worry, it’s supposed to make you laugh. Yelovich says the phrase started as a tongue-in-cheek joke poking fun at the endless list of rock and metal subgenres.

“We’re kind of musically homeless,” he joked.

Their music blends influences from grunge, heavy metal, hard rock, funk, nu-metal, hip-hop and alternative rock. Instead of trying to fit neatly into one category, the band decided to invent one of their own. Listeners on Buffalo Chip Radio got an early taste of New Damage’s evolving sound through two featured songs, “PBURG STOMP” and “It Gets Uglier.” “PBURG STOMP” pays tribute to the band’s hometown while reflecting on watching it change over time.

“It’s about growing up and seeing your hometown become something different than what you remember as a kid,” Yelovich said.

The song also marked the beginning of a new era for the band, showcasing a heavier, groove-driven sound that better represents where New Damage is headed. Their second featured track, “It Gets Uglier,” carries a much deeper emotional message. The song tells the story of watching someone struggle with addiction and realizing that sometimes, despite your best efforts, you can’t help someone who isn’t ready to accept it.

“It only gets darker, and it only gets uglier,” Yelovich said.

The heartfelt message resonated during the interview, highlighting the band’s willingness to tackle real-life struggles through their music.

If you’ve never seen New Damage perform live, expect plenty of movement.

“We put on a show like no other,” Yelovich said. “We’ve been praised for our energy. We want people moving, and I can’t expect anyone else to move unless I’m moving my own butt up there.”

That kind of energy is exactly what makes the band an ideal fit for opening one of the biggest parties of the Sturgis Rally. Despite their growing success, Yelovich believes the biggest reason New Damage has continued to grow isn’t talent alone.

“The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that everyone has to be pulling their weight in the same direction,” he said. “All four of us and our manager, who’s basically our fifth member, want this just as much as everyone else.”

Looking ahead, the band’s goal is simple.

“We want to play more national festivals and keep growing the New Damage family.”

The trip wasn’t all music. After Battle of the Bands, the group stayed long enough to explore the Black Hills, visiting Custer State Park and the Crazy Horse Memorial before heading home.

“South Dakota is beautiful,” Yelovich said. “It’s the first really pretty state once you’re heading west across the northern part of the country.”

Thankfully for fans, they’ll be back soon.

On Thursday, August 7, New Damage returns to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip to kick off Rally Week alongside rock icon David Lee Roth. For a band that started just a few years ago in a Pennsylvania garage, it’s another giant step forward—and perhaps the beginning of something much bigger. If their Battle of the Bands performance was any indication, this won’t be the last time New Damage makes noise in the Black Hills.