The Damned in Birmingham

The Damned are an English punk-rock band formed in London in 1976. “New Rose” was the first single released by a British punk band, while Damned Damned Damned became the first full-length album by a British punk group. Machine Gun Etiquette and The Black Album extended their sound into psychedelia and gothic rock, and their catalogue also includes “Neat Neat Neat,” “Love Song,” “Smash It Up” and a cover of “Eloise.” The Damned played the 100 Club Punk Special in 1976 and joined the Sex Pistols’ Anarchy Tour later that year, though many dates were cancelled. In 1977 they became the first British punk band to tour the United States, including performances at CBGB in New York. They marked their 40th anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall in 2016, and in 2022 Dave Vanian, Brian James, Captain Sensible and Rat Scabies reunited for a run of UK concerts.