News Archive

After meeting Mick Jones and seeing The Sex Pistols live in 1975, Viv dropped out of art school to form The Flowers of Romance, with Sid Vicious. That made her mum cry. The Flowers rehearsed for 6 months in Joe Strummer’s basement during the summer of 1976 heatwave, only to emerge in September, deathly pale and without one song. They never played a gig but are still one of the most famous bands from the punk era. Sid joined the Sex Pistols and Viv became the guitarist in the influential and groundbreaking, post punk dub fusion band, The Slits.

The Slits released their seminal album Cut on Island Records in 1979 cited in album charts from The Guardian to Mojo and Rolling Stone, as one of the most influential records ever made.

Viv’s minimal trebly guitar playing, drawn from influences as wide as Steve Cropper, Keith Levene, George Harrison and reggae is unique. No frills. No wanky solos. Thoughtful, iconoclastic. Funny. In your face.

‘Viv Albertine doesn’t so much turn back time as stop the clock all together!’ Thurston Moore

‘Viv Albertine made a place for girls in music before girl became grrrl’ Courtney Love

The as-yet-untitled-film, to be a production of Orshoski’s Three Count Films, will combine new footage captured on and off the road with the current band members—including Damned founders David Vanian (vocals) and guitarist Captain Sensible—with archival clips and new interviews with many of the band’s famous friends and peers.

“I’m incredibly honored to be working with a band who I feel has registered as an immeasurable impact on artists from across the musical spectrum,” says Orshoski, who recently co-directed/produced the critically acclaimed documentary on Motörhead’s Lemmy. “I feel like the Damned’s story and the scope of the band’s influence has gone largely unnoticed by the masses, especially in America. And I’m hoping my film will help right that wrong.”

Captain Sensible quotes;
It seems like every other scumbag who was ever in a punk band got a film made about them, now it’s our turn, and at least we have some real stories to tell. Hopefully, this will cause a bit of a stink, but that’s what it was always supposed to do.

Orshoski is asking longtime fans of the band who may be in possession of vintage video and photos (as well as rare handbills, posters and/or magazine articles) to email him at: info@threecountfilms.com

The Damned, featuring Vanian, Sensible, drummer Pinch, bassist Stu West and keyboardist Monty Oxy Moron, kicks off its 35th anniversary tour October 20 at Middle East in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The band is marking the anniversary by playing both its 1977 debut album, “Damned Damned Damned,” and 1980’s “The Black Album” in their entirety on the upcoming tour, which launches in the U.K. on Nov. 9 in Bristol (O2 Academy). The 35th Anniversary tour comes to Australia and Japan in 2012.

The Damned have Officially announced that they are adding 9 dates to their 35th Anniversary Tour ... in the US!

35th Anniversary Dates are now as follows :

Oct

20th - US - Cambridge, MA, Middle East
22nd - US - New York,NY, Irving Plaza
23rd - US - Washington DC, Black Cat
25th - US - Chicago,IL, Metro/Smart Bar
27th - US - Seattle, WA, Showbox at The Market
29th - US - San Francisco, CA, Slims
30th - US - Los Angeles, CA, House Of Blues
31st - US - Anaheim, CA, House Of Blues

Nov

1st - US - San Diego, CA, House Of Blues

Nov

9th   - Bristol, Academy
10th - Birmingham, Academy
11th - Cambridge, Corn Exchange
12th - London, Roundhouse
13th - Brighton, East Wing
14th - Norwich, UEA
15th - Nottingham, Rock City
17th - Newcastle, Academy
18th - Leeds, Academy
19th - Manchester, Academy
20th - Edinburgh, Picture House

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Captain Sensible will be playing a few select shows throughout the year with his own band whose all-star lineup features familiar faces Monty Oxymoron on keyboards, Paul Gray on bass, Dave Berk on drums along with Hanna on guitar and vocals who brings some much needed glamour to proceedings! 

May
27th - Bristol, Area 81 Rock Club
28th - Manchester, Strummercamp
29th York, The Duchess - Ticket Link - Box Office - 08444 77 1000

Head on over to www.captainsensible.com for more details.

Monty Oxymoron and Captain Sensible’s Band "The Dr Spacetoad Experience" new album "Time Machine"

Available for download now from cdbaby

The Damned are pleased to announce they will be celebrating 35 years of madness, mayhem, and Rock n Roll with a special anniversary tour this coming November.

Come and join in the fun and frolics .. you can catch us on the following dates throughout November:

The Damned 35th Anniversary Tour

Nov

9th   - Bristol, Academy
10th - Birmingham, Academy
11th - Cambridge, Corn Exchange
12th - London, Roundhouse
13th - Brighton, East Wing
14th - Norwich, UEA
16th - Nottingham, Rock City
17th - Newcastle, Academy
18th - Leeds, Academy
19th - Manchester, Academy
20th - Edinburgh, Picture House

The tune was penned by Akira Yamaoka, award winning sound designer of such blockbuster titles as Silent Hill, with additional musical input from Captain Sensible on guitars and keyboards, Dave Vanian on vocals. With drums, lyrics and backing vocals provided by Pinch.

The song is truly a testament to modern technology and international co-operation, with the music being recorded on 3 different continents simultaneously.
Add to that, the fact that the sound director actually flew to the UK from Japan to record with Dave Vanian, and you have a measure of the respect that each party has for the other.

This track marks the first time the Damned have actually performed a bespoke song for a video game and we would like to thank Grasshopper manufacture for their respect and co-operation, and also Damned message boarder CybergothX, who alerted Pinch to the game title months ago, enabling him to set the wheels in motion.

We hope you enjoy the song as much as you will enjoy the game.

Release dates - US 6/21, Europe 6/24
Published by Electronic Arts
Developed by Grasshopper Manufacture
Studio talent - Executive director) - Suda 51 (No More Heroes, killer7)
Sound Designer - Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill)
Shinji Mikami - Creative Producer (Resident Evil)
Studio musicians- David Vanian, Captain Sensible, Pinch

We can proudly announce that the first tickets are now on sale to watch the gala screening of our exciting film at the prestigious Empire Leicester Square on March the 10th.

Walk the red carpet meet the BSB biking superstars & special guests, hurry though there's only a very limited amount!

www.empirecinemas.co.uk/LEICESTERSQUARE

In 2011 'I Superbiker' will be in cinemas on March 14th, to book your tickets see below:

If 'I, Superbiker' is not currently scheduled to play in your town:

For more info on the film and cinema listings please visit www.isuperbiker.com.

On the 23rd February Monty will play (again at the Open House) with Ron Caines (who played sax in East of Eden), and Tony Gill, amazing drummer and story teller: an English Ivor Cutler!

More details on Monty's MySpace.

And don't we all deserve a bit of cheering up in these uncertain and austere times? I'd have thought so.

So I've had the records out, sifting through my old tunes trying to arrange a set list for the shows and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the material...... which I have to admit I don't listen to THAT often. Yes, the tunes are all there and with a bit of modern, more guitary treatment I reckon they're going to sound great onstage. ESPECIALLY seeing as how I have managed to procure the services of some excellent ex and current colleagues to make up the lively sounding band. Which is:

Yours truly - guitar, vocals
Paul Gray - bass
Dave Berk - drums
Monty Oxymoron - keyboards
Hannah from Brighton - guitar, vocals

Try and get to one of these shows playmates if you're interested in my solo music as I'm not about to make too much of a habit of doing 'Captain' tours, and do make sure you get to the venue in good time as I have the jolly old aforementioned support slot on this jaunt.

see you soon - Captain S

ANOTHER ROCK AND ROLL CHRISTMAS! 2010
The Glitter Band & Captain Sensible Tour

Dec 9th ST ALBANS - The Horn - Buy Tickets
Dec 10th SOUTHAMPTON - The Talking Heads - Buy Tickets
Dec 11th CROYDON - Clocktower - Buy Tickets
Dec 12th BRISTOL - The Tunnels - Buy Tickets
Dec 13th SOUTHEND - Chinnerys - Buy Tickets
Dec 14th BIRMINGHAM - Eddie's Rock Club - Buy Tickets
Dec 15th DARLINGTON - Inside Out
Dec 16th SHEFFIELD - Corporation - Buy Tickets
Dec 17th GLASGOW - Classic Grand - Buy Tickets
Dec 18th MANCHESTER- Academy 3 - Buy Tickets
Dec 19th LONDON - Dingwalls - Buy Tickets

The Glitter Band, in association with Flag Promotions and Monsta Ents are proud to announce "Another Rock And Roll Christmas", a UK nationwide Christmas tour starring The Glitter Band and very special guest Captain Sensible, solo artist and iconic guitarist from The Damned.

The tour commences in St Albans on Thursday December 9th and concludes in London on Sunday December 19th at legendary music venue Dingwalls in Camden Lock. See full date list below.

The tour will be filled with special guests, fun and glam, marking a return to the Christmas tradition of Glitter at Christmas, which has been so sadly missing in the UK for the past few years. Come along and join the fun with The Glitter Band and Captain Sensible to a town near you in December 2010.

ANOTHER ROCK AND ROLL CHRISTMAS! 2010
The Glitter Band & Captain Sensible Tour

Dec 9th ST ALBANS - The Horn
Dec 10th SOUTHAMPTON - The Talking Heads
Dec 11th CROYDON - Clocktower
Dec 12th BRISTOL - The Tunnels
Dec 13th SOUTHEND - Chinnerys
Dec 14th BIRMINGHAM - Eddie's Rock Club
Dec 15th DARLINGTON - Inside Out
Dec 16th SHEFFIELD - Corporation
Dec 17th GLASGOW - Classic Grand
Dec 18th MANCHESTER- Academy 3
Dec 19th LONDON - Dingwalls

"… just unbelievable – utterly great! It’s a terrific surprise to see so many people in amazing costumes. When we arrived we saw a load of girls strutting around on enormous stilts and blokes in stockings and suspenders – it felt just like home."
Alice Cooper

Aside from our renowned headliners, there will be dozens more performers each night to keep the audience swooning, gasping and dancing.

Date: Saturday 20 November
Venue: Scala
Doors: 8pm
Address: 275 Pentonville Road, London N1 9NL

Tickets: Please check the link on the Tour page.

Visions of the Ecstasy Aunt is a "spectrum" of 11 songs: each a different "colour" refracted from one light. A concept album that can be re-arranged in any order you like! Featuring the original version of "Nature's Dark Passion"; "my best collection of songs yet", says Monty.

Visions of the Ecstasy Aunt

01. Love Will Find a Way
02. Nature's Dark Passion
03. Two of a Kind
04. Beautiful Confusion
05. Painted Myself Into a Corner
06. Dervish Love Poem
07. Divided I fall
08. You Done My Brain In
09. Not Free to Love
10. Obsession
11. Memories

For pre-order, please visite here.

So, Who's Paranoid? -Available on deluxe 140g 2LP coloured vinyl and 180g 2LP black vinyl -666 numbered copies -Lavish silver-foiled mirror-finish gatefold sleeve -2 bonus tracks 'Aim To Please' and 'Half Forgotten Memories'

A Nation Fit For Heroes/Time -Deluxe ltd vinyl 7" single -666 numbered copies -Available on Red, White or Blue vinyl, in a shiny foil sleeve 'A Nation Fit For Heros' taken from the 'So, Who's Paranoid?' album, plus one brand new song 'Time'

For more information about the festivals and tickets, please check Tour page.

REMEMBER please don't send the actual media, post your files elsewhere (YouTube etc.) and send us the links.

There will also be a double A side 7" single comprising of "A Nation Fit For Heroes" and another previously unreleased track. We're rather excited about it! More details to follow.

Starring opposite Mathieu Amalric (Quantum of Solace, Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Munich)
Amalric hand picked Miranda for the starring role after seeing her perform at one of her many burlesque residencies in Europe.

The Palme d'Or is Europe's equivalent to the Oscars and stars are born and reaffirmed there every year.

With Tournee being one of only sixteen films chosen for the coveted Palme d'or award, 2010 could easily blast another San Diegan into the stratosphere of Hollywood.

This years competition will be judged by stars Benicio Del Toro, Kate Beckinsale and other luminaries. The head of the jury will be acclaimed director Tim Burton.

Synopsis:
Joachim, (Amalric) has been around the block a few times and his face tells a thousand stories. Traveling with a gaggle of beautiful American burlesque performers headed by Mimi Le Meaux (Colclasure) he attempts to make his comeback touring a fun and colorful new Burlesque variety show round the highways and byways of France. But as the tour rolls on, Joachim has to keep all his wits about him if he wants to be paid in full, keep his estranged wife and kids happy and keep a handle on the increasingly uncontrollable girls...

Cannes Film Festival runs from May 12th to the 23rd.