The Damned

Live in Munich. 4th June 2000

The Damned - Energetic. Shambolic. Fantastic. Please don't ever change!

I arrived at the hall with mixed feelings. Looking forward to seeing the Damned again but apprehensive that I might witness some travesty of a band that would destroy the memory of all that I know & love. I'd timed my arrival to catch the end of the support act but due to them running late I got to catch the whole set. Not bad, a local act called the 'Garden Gang' they somehow reminded me of the Adverts and bizzarely finished their set with 'Gary Gilmores Eyes'. I was impressed enough to buy a CD after the gig and later whilst reading the sleeve notes saw 'thanks' to TV Smith from the Adverts. Interesting... To find out more check out their website www.gardengang.de To see pictures and a video clip from the concert please click here.

It was hot, it was sticky, it was humid. I was drinking too much beer and wondering where the hell the Damned were. Nearly 11pm and some curly haired geezer gets up to play keyboards, then a drummer I don't recognise and then a bass player in a dress! Turns out it's the 'new hands', Monty the Moron, Pinch & Patricia Morrison (ex Sisters of Mercy), then Sensible & Vanian come out and the cosy crowd go 'whoaaarggh' or something similar. Straight into New Rose, no worries, they're fantastic. I'm struck by how little Sensible & Vanian appear to have aged, I'd swear they'd made a pact with the Devil if only they weren't so skint.

A good mixture of songs old & new representing pretty much every album except 'Music for Pleasure' & 'Strawberries'. They even played Curtain Call !!!  During 'Neat Neat Neat' Vanian jumps into the audience and my first reaction is "who's he gonna hit?" but no, he's just there to jump around and sing. The Captain was still up to standard, excellent guitar playing and some amusing audience baiting.

If you get the chance, go see them. They're as good as they ever were and are even planning to release new material. Check out their website for more information on gigs, releases and merchandising at www.officialdamned.com To see a couple of short video clips from the concert please click here.