This
was another great night out, more intimate, Sensible was on form as
usual.
With
every Damned gig that passes, I realise more and more what a great
guitarist Captain Sensible is and his huge, raw sound contributes
vastly to the overall unique sound of the Damned.
Gone
are the days of throwing beer at the stage. A bloke got kicked out
by the bouncers and the keyboardist went absolutely ballistic at the
beginning of the second track - Street of Dreams - he almost
had to be restrained himself.
All
tracks sounded great, Particularly "Nasty", "Dr
Jekyll and Mr Hyde", "Smash it up" parts
1 and 2 this time unlike at the Forum a few days previous. "Shadow
of Love", what a track on the album, but sadly, it completely
lacked the atmosphere when performed live here. Vanian's voice is
still sounding rich and full of flavour; Sensible was awesome on guitar
creating a superb, distinctive full sound that is so synominous with
the sound of the Damned.
I
love seeing them live, they are a massively under-rated band with
an extensive, frequently glorious back catalogue...long may Vanian
and Sensible continue touring as the Damned!!!
James Cook
This
should have been dire for me, especially as I chose to drive there
and back rather than stay overnight. The very thought of a 200 odd
mile round trip did not appeal on this Tuesday afternoon.
Arranged
to meet Duggie in The Bear... ended up chatting with Stu there...
off rather hastily to venue with Stu (thanks Stu... phew!).
First
person I spotted at The Roadmender was Johnno - 1st time I have seen
him out an about since Nottingham last December.
I
found the support band rather interesting - Mutant Cabaray.
Reminded me a little of Sparks. Didn't like what ever number ripped
off a Beat number though! Anyway, pleasant to hear something that
wasn't just the norm. Would certainly make a point of watching them
again if they were supporting at another show.
Following
'the girls', Thankyou For The Music begins to play and you know the
Damned are about to hit the stage. Captain thanks Abba and the set
begins.
Nasty
Street of Dreams
Well,
it can only be seconds into 'Street' before Monty is at stage front
berating a beer thrower... not a happy chappie... the rest of the
band continue but things do not bode well.
BUT
...
after a short spell of each band member telling the individual what
a nasty chap he is [ 4 letters expletive ], after 'Street'...
Neat
Neat Neat
New Rose
Followed
by Monty pointing out to the others they had missed
Generals
An
absolute crackin' Blackout and wonderful applause
Then
everything just seems to fall into place...
13th
Floor Vendetta was magnificent
Eloise - huge cheers
A proper verse of Wot with music thrown in rather than just
a vocal effort
Disco Man
Absinthe
Shadow of Love
An
audience member shouts for Problem Child and gets... a verse of Puppet
On A String
HOTW
- very well received
Dr J & Mr H
Ignite was phenomenal... a few shouts to 'get on with it' but
Captain and Pinch in particular sounded great on this one... and off.
Encore
consists...
Audience
singing Captain is a Wanker and Dave suggesting that they turn it
into a song - we then get a couple of made up verses!
Johnno
on stage. Someone describes the fact that it is around his 467000th
show Johnno going off with Pinch shouting something along the lines
of "Security! Chair lift required" Johnno back on to sing(?)
along with Captain on Love Song
2nd Time Around
Little Miss Disaster (which DV describes as a not new but newer
song) - rather good version too!
and Smash It Up
This
seemed just like a... Damned show. Organised(?) chaos. What a cracker.
This gig rates as one of my favourites of the year. Now I would never
have expected that before the event.
WR