Punk rock giants The Damned rarely play London
but tonight they will shake to its core the modestly sized venue that
is the Islington Academy. They are part of a special benefit show
for guitarist Paul Fox, and the event is sold out.
Not
always taken seriously back in 'the days', they have quietened their
detractors by being able to laugh in the face of adversity to remain
one of the last bastion of that musical genre. Armed with their generations
transcending appeal, [as proved by tonight's crowd], and their timeless
awesome back catalogue, their longevity is well deserved and no surprise
to me.
Despite
my frequent bouts of bingeing on The Damned and nothing but, I haven't
seen them live for a very very long time [and yes I do feel shame].
In fact since the days when it was compulsory for Captain Sensible
to strip down to his birthday suit. Actually not very sensible when
you think about all the cigarette butts and various objects flying
towards the stage.
Apparently
those days of clothes discarding are long gone and "thank God
for that!" a very dignified Dave Vanian will say on the subject.
Tonight
is extra special to me for so many reasons. It's all for a good cause
and both Mr Vanian and The Captain will be sharing the stage, which
hasn't always been the case, bringing the essence of The Damned to
life once more. Really it shouldn't be any other way and I've always
thought of Captain's absence as nothing short of sacrilegious.
We
know that the set will be short as it's already late and we are expecting
headliners The Ruts with Henry Rollins to come on next.
To
screams of delight The Damned have invaded the stage, Monty Oxymoron
behind his keyboards, Pinch gets to his drums and Stu West straps
on his bass, now enters The Sensible one, looking like a demented
teenager in a white shirt and black jeans combo teamed with his trademark
red beret and white rimmed dark glasses.
As
they launch into "Love Song" you know that something
really special is happening right before your eyes. Within seconds
Dave Vanian makes his entrance and now we're talking greatness! He
hasn't sang a single word yet but his stage presence is as potent
as ever. This sophisticated, ageless icon remains enigmatic, charismatic
and soooooo sexy! How the fuck does he do it?
As
the quintet is feeling energetic and playing to perfection, the next
thirty minutes will be loud and frantic as a selection of all time
favourites fill up the venue.
Songs
that, with the passing of time, have become anthems for a whole generation
and the next.
We
are singing to "Second Time Around", better than
the original version "Eloise", "Neat Neat
Neat", "New Rose" and to finish "Smash
It Up", like it's 1977.
Where
this gig lacked in gratuitous full frontal nudity it made up for with
an electrifying atmosphere. The chemistry between Dave and Cappy is
still present. A smile here, a glance there, it's so beautiful to
see.
The
half hour is over and just as we started to warm up The Damned say
good bye, leaving us teased, hot and bothered.
Tonight
is a good taster of what they are capable of, and I see that they
are still able to make me feel dazed and confused. In a good way.
Six
classic tracks + Dave Vanian + Captain Sensible = 30 minutes of memorable
and perfect damnation.
Long
live The Damned.
Florence
of FLOmotions.com
