London, UK · punk · goth-rock

The Damned

1 upcoming festival

First UK punk single, then a hard left into goth — Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible still at it, 'New Rose' to 'Eloise' in one set.

The Damned formed in London in 1976 and released "New Rose," generally recognised as the first single by a UK punk band, followed by "Damned Damned Damned," the first British punk album. The original line-up paired Dave Vanian's baritone with Captain Sensible's guitar and bass, Brian James's songwriting and Rat Scabies's drumming.

After an early split the band reformed and moved away from straight punk, developing the darker, more melodic approach of "The Black Album" and "Phantasmagoria" and becoming an important reference point for gothic rock. Their commercial peak came in the 1980s with singles including a cover of Barry Ryan's "Eloise." Vanian and Sensible have continued to lead the band through numerous line-up changes.

punkgoth-rock