The Damned

The Damned formed in London in 1976, comprising Dave Vanian, Brian James, Captain Sensible, and Rat Scabies. They released 'New Rose' in October 1976 — the first British punk single — and followed it with 'Damned Damned Damned' (1977), the first British punk album. Their energy and irreverence set them apart even within the punk scene; they were funnier, stranger, and more musically adventurous than most of their contemporaries.

After an initial split, The Damned reformed and evolved dramatically. 'Machine Gun Etiquette' (1979) was a post-punk masterpiece. 'The Black Album' (1980) pushed into gothic and psychedelic territory, and 'Strawberries' (1982) showed their melodic gifts. Vanian's theatrical, vampire-aesthetic persona became increasingly central, and the band's influence on gothic rock was enormous. 'Phantasmagoria' (1985) gave them their biggest commercial success.

The Damned have continued through numerous lineup changes — Captain Sensible departed and returned, Rat Scabies left definitively — with Vanian as the constant. They have released albums into the 2010s and 2020s, and their live shows remain genuinely thrilling. As the originators of British punk and major architects of gothic rock, their place in British music history is secure. ⚠ Flag: post-2018 activity — verify most recent release and current lineup.