The Damned in Manchester

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.

The Saints are an Australian punk rock band formed in Brisbane in 1973 by Chris Bailey, Ed Kuepper and Ivor Hay. Their independently released 1976 single “(I’m) Stranded” established their raw guitar sound, followed by the album of the same name. Brass arrangements and soul influences entered the later 1970s albums Eternally Yours and Prehistoric Sounds. The Saints moved to London in 1977 and toured Britain after the release of (I’m) Stranded. Bailey led subsequent versions of the band through decades of club, theatre and festival performances. In 2007, Bailey, Kuepper, Hay and bassist Caswell reunited for the Pig City concert in Brisbane, and the same lineup performed at All Tomorrow’s Parties at Mount Buller in 2009.