The Damned have finally come of age. Its been 22 years since they careened their way into the history books by becoming the first punk band to release a single, to put out an album, to hit the chats and to tour America. It's also been nearly that long since they broke up for the first of countless intervals, only to resurrect themselves in an unpredictable way each and very time. There's ample evidence of this phoenix-like ability as the band marked 1998 by embarking on the longest and most successful American performance schedule of their entire carer. A two month 40 date U.S. tour- not bad for a band who's last record was 8 years ago.
David Vanian remains from the original line-up. This is just as well, since it would be impossible to imagine The Damned touring without his distinctive vocals and dramatic countenance leading the onslaught. Fellow founder member Captain Sensible is also in his rightful place as irreplaceable guitarist and court jester. More recently Damned is the formidable Patricia Morrison, who in the past has contributed her bass playing talents and stunning stage presence to the goth godfathers The Sisters Of Mercy and seminal swamp rock of Gun Club. Monty Oxy Moron, who has participated in Captain Sensibles solo projects, takes on keyboard position while The Damned's newest acquisition is drummer Spike Smith.
Yet some things never change. Lurid rumours, some of which veer towards being true, perpetually surrounded The Damned. All of it pales into insignificance, however, when confronted with the memorable bash up pursuit of fleeting beauty (to borrow a phrase from Rolling Stone review) that is The Damned live.
According to the band it's been 22 years of pure chaos and destruction. But hyperbole aside its also been 22 years of great music. The Damned have had 15 hit singles with songs like Smash It Up, Love Song and Eloise, a total that doesnt even include classics such as New Rose and Neat Neat Neat. Eight of their albums, starting from the landmark Damned Damned Damned, have graced the charts as well. The band has worked with veritable who's who of popular music, too, thanks to the fact that everyone from Pink Floyd's Nick Mason to Motorhead's Lemmy has been irresistibly drawn to the Damned's wonderfully warped Vision.
I true Damned style, a new track, produced by Hugh Jones, titled "It's a Real Time Thing" is set to be released stateside through Fat Wreck Chords. This CD will contain 101 bands with songs all under 30 seconds. This mini-epic heralds the beginning of The Damned's long anticipated return to the studio and The Damned are looking forward to recording and releasing new material for the year 2000.
The Damned as a band is now old enough to drink alcohol in 50 states, confounding the critics yet again by surviving longer than any other band of that remarkable era, and are embarking upon the latest phase in their 22 years of creative evolution. Theyve been accused of being punk, goth, psychedelic, rockabilly, cabaret and metal. Critics have called them unique, irrepressible, loud, loveable, chaotic, washed up, influential and out of control. And they've probably been all of those things at one time or another over their long career. But whatever else theyve been, they are still and always... The Damned.