For the past five decades, the Damned have been the quintessential British punk band – a group that has defied categorization, weathered numerous breakups and reunions, and left an indelible mark on the music industry. As the band prepares to mark their golden anniversary with a special show at Wembley Arena, founding members Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, and Rat Scabies reflect on their storied and often turbulent history.
The Damned’s origins trace back to 1976, when a group of young misfits – Vanian, Sensible, Scabies, and guitarist Brian James – came together to form one of the first punk bands in the UK. Despite their shared punk ethos, the members had vastly different musical influences, from Vanian’s theatrical, melodramatic style to Sensible’s penchant for syrupy pop and prog rock.
“The rift was really between him and Captain,” Vanian explains, referring to the band’s numerous breakups and lineup changes over the years. “At one time or another, it seems as though each of the three principals has been in a relationship-ending rage with one or both of the others.”
Indeed, the Damned’s history is a convoluted one, marked by infighting, lineup shuffles, and a dizzying array of releases – from the UK’s first punk single “New Rose” to the gothic psychedelic hits of the 1980s. Yet despite the turmoil, the band’s core trio of Vanian, Sensible, and Scabies have endured, reuniting to record a new album and prepare for their landmark Wembley show.
“They’re genuinely funny blokes,” says Sensible of his bandmates. “They’re very amusing to travel with. No one knows what Dave Vanian is really like, but he does very good impressions from Carry On and On the Buses.”
While the Damned may not have achieved the same level of mainstream success as their punk contemporaries the Sex Pistols and the Clash, their influence is undeniable. Vanian’s iconic goth image has inspired countless imitators, and the band’s refusal to be pigeonholed has earned them a legion of devoted fans.
“I get so many people from other bands telling me, ‘If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have started my band,'” Vanian reflects. “And that’s very nice and flattering, but it hasn’t helped me, and I’d like to have a little bit of luxury before I pop off.”
As the Damned prepare to celebrate their 50th anniversary, the three surviving members are determined to go out with a bang. With a new album and a career-spanning live show on the horizon, the band is proving that they still have plenty of life left in them – and that their unique brand of punk mayhem is as vital as ever.
