Despite mellowing a little with age, The Damned ripped through a generous set at Rock City, delighting fans and providing more than a few surprises...
The Damned have played Rock City many times, but this performance was different in that many of the original members are now in the current lineup. Original drummer Rat Scabies rejoined only last year playing alongside bassist Paul Gray, guitarist Captain Sensible and vocalist Dave Vanian, who have been with the band since they were formed in 1976. Keyboard player Monty Oxymoron is a relative newcomer to the band, joining in 1996.
This gig was certainly memorable in that The Damned were supported by not one but two bands in the form of The Fleshtones and the delightful Doctor and the Medics. The Fleshtones are remarkable in that they have been playing and touring since they formed in Queens, New York City, debuting at the famous CBGBs in 1976, and since have not had an inactive year in all that time. They certainly livened the place up, playing a very loud and frantic set. Meanwhile, Doctor and the Medics, fronted by the enigmatic ‘Doctor’ Clive Jackson, really are a splendid outfit indeed, and of course, they played their biggie Spirit in the Sky which went down a treat with the near capacity crowd. I spoke with Clive before the gig, and he excitedly told me that the band had just released a new album. Doctor and the Medics have played many gigs locally, notably at The Sitwell in Derby a few years back, and more recently at The Eyes Have It Music Festival in Duffield.
The crowd, suitably warmed up by the first two acts to near boiling point, erupted by the time The Damned hit the stage, kicking off with Love Song, which ensured the crowd were jumping right from the very start.
The setlist featured a couple of songs of their more recent material (The Invisible Man and Beware of the Clown), as well as dipping into The Black Album with Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Waiting for the Blackout, peppered with a few of their faves, which ensured a good balance. These days, the band are a little more laid back, as at one time Dave Vanian was known to have episodes of bad temper while Captain Sensible, who, early on in his career would wear tutus or wedding dresses, nowadays instead opts for stripy shirts and his signature red beret; and tonight for sure, there was a smattering of beret wearing fans in the audience. Incredibly, the Captain, real name, Ray Burns, is 70 years old, whilst Vanian is in his late 60s. What’s more, they don’t look it. Vanian still maintains that trademark ageless Gothic Transylvanian look with the slicked back black hair, black leather gloves and 50s style mic, while The Captain still retains that same mischievous charm.
The band tore through a set that lasted around an hour and a half, with two encores. The Barry Ryan classic Eloise had the crowd singing along enthusiastically, and by the time Paul Gray struck up the unmistakable bass riff that announces Neat Neat Neat, the bubbling pot that was the audience boiled over.
The band left the stage, but returned for the inevitable encore which featured two more songs, Curtain Call and New Rose, which showcased Rat Scabies with a spectacular drum solo usually reserved for Prog Rockers. Cue more frantic dancing and crowd surfing. The band went off, but as there was still time left before curfew, it was inevitable that there’d be second encore, and in any case surely the band would play Smash It Up? ... Sure enough, upon the band’s return, after the seasonally whimsical There Ain’t No Sanity Clause was played, Smash It Up was duly aired to more mosh pit madness signalling the end of the gig, whereupon The Captain threw his beret into the audience with the humorous quip of “Chuck Beret.”
With ears ringing I made my weary way home on the Red Arrow, knowing I’d witnessed something really quite special.
The Damned performed at Rock City on 9th December 2024, with support from The Fleshtones and Doctor and the Medics.
Setlist photo below by Claire Spencer.
The Damned performed at Rock City on 9th December 2024.
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