Review: Cambridge Corn Exchange welcomes back The Damned
The punk pioneers were at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on Monday, 16 December, as part of a 12-date UK tour which comes to an end this Thursday (19 December) with the second of two dates at London’s Roundhouse.
The tour marks the return of the band’s classic 80s line-up - singer Dave Vanian, guitarist Captain Sensible, drummer Rat Scabies and bassist Paul Gray - performing together for the first time since 1989. They were joined on stage this evening by long-time keyboard player, Monty Oxymoron.
There were two support acts tonight - Doctor and the Medics, who got the crowd pumped up with their signature hit, Spirit in the Sky, and American garage rock band The Fleshtones, who impressed with their eccentric on-stage antics.
The Damned took the stage to thunderous applause, guitarist Captain Sensible the focal point in his red and white-striped shirt and red beret.
“Were any of you here when we played here with Motörhead?” he asked the audience. “You must be deaf as well, then!”
The early burst of upbeat punk stylings included the songs Love Song, Machine Gun Etiquette, and Wait for the Blackout.
“Good evening, Cambridge,” said Captain Sensible, again addressing the very receptive crowd. He added after a short pause: “The ghost of Syd Barrett!”
“Here’s an interesting one for Cambridge,” he said, introducing the frenetic Lively Arts. Later commenting further on the city, he revealed that he’d eaten a baked potato earlier in the day at Tatties (on Hobson Street) and would recommend it - “and that’s about it,” he said.
The band were clearly enjoying themselves, as were the crowd - and it was heart-warming to see a number of younger people down the front, wildly moshing with other fans seemingly twice their age.
To cheers, Captain Sensible spoke of his disdain for politicians ahead of the not-quite-so-fast-paced Beware of the Clown, one of my favourite Damned songs.
He was also critical of His Majesty King Charles III (I suppose that’s part and parcel of being a punk!), while the frantic Neat Neat Neat was the ideal number to close out the main set.
Explosive drummer Rat Scabies treated the audience to a drum solo during the first encore, though thankfully it didn’t go on too long, and then came New Rose, one of the group’s greatest musical moments - and tonight it sounded great.
Father Christmas came out ahead of the second encore and asked us what we wanted for Christmas. “Would you like some more music?” he said.
Staying on stage, Santa danced throughout There Ain't No Sanity Clause, and then came back to dance along to Smash It Up (Part 1) and Smash It Up (Part 2).
I felt the band could have gone on even longer, rolling back the years seemingly with ease, but with the 11pm curfew, they had to call it a night - and only just made it in time.
“We’re still here!” announced a defiant Captain Sensible, commenting on the band’s longevity, rather than the fact that they hadn’t left the stage, “just about…”
He added, right at the end: “The ghost of Syd Barrett is here!”
Maybe he was and, if so, I’d be interested to know what he thought of tonight’s show and about his profound influence on the music, spirit and DIY ethos of punk…
It has to be said, The Damned aren’t my favourite band, or even my favourite punk band, but I’m sure glad I can now say I’ve seen them live. And you should too.
For more on the band, visit officialdamned.com.
