The Damned, so named by Brian James after a 1969 movie about pre-Nazi Germany, was actually the second time the Captain, Dave and Rat had worked together. They originally participated in a band that never moved beyond the practice stage, without making any live performances or recordings.

This "proto-Damned" featured Chryssie Hynde (soon to front The Pretenders) and a second singer, the white haired Dave Zero, who subsequently disappeared into the sands of time. As the prospects for this unnamed band grew dimmer and dimmer, the three quit the group and went off with Brian to launch a new band.