Interview with The Damned

Jason Reed of Inner Edge Music interviewing Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible of The Damned at their historic Roxy performance in LA on 4/21/16. Hear the band talk about the 40th anniversary of the release of their first single, their current tour and the untimely passing of Prince (who died earlier that very day).
For more exclusive music interviews and concert reviews, check out www.inneredgemusic.com. Produced by Highlight Media.

[@christopherdavis8248]

i think the world needs more captain sensibles in it.

[@John-ul8pp]

There is only one Sensible ... he's unique !

[@nikkifraser5487]

Hes been about

[@Romanv-mt5rw]

Wot

[@blackmore4]

Another reason, if any were needed, to despise Rolling Stone magazine. Leaving out the Damned from a Punk top 40 warrants violence.

[@merlin5476]

@@Scotsmanic69 Rolling stone magazine I've just realised are a woke shit company

[@williamr3840]

It's just a magazine. :0)

[@islandhorizonvideos8230]

Rolling Stone magazine has always sucked and will continue to suck. So their opinion means absolutely zero to me and it would bother me if it did.

[@kevinrhea7332]

That’s almost unbelievable even for rolling stone the only excuse would be rating them among the best of any genre WHICH I WOULD

[@phillipgreer6334]

I've always loved The Damned. The Sex Pistols and The Clash had their moments but The Damned had more to offer. The image of Dave singing in front of the band whilst looking like a vampire is the most enduring image of Punk for me.

[@bipolatelly9806]

PHILLIP GREER is it? sounds like you were born 6 years too early! (-: sounds like goth is more your thing... bummer... i shoulda been a spitfire pilot in ww2... oh well...

[@ViscountVile]

You're assuming that liking horror, or horror-related imagery, is bound to make you a goth, but that is absolutely NOT the case!

[@Ramblebar]

For me the two best UK Punk bands were The Damned and The Buzzcocks,I mean the Pistols were cool and The Clash had their moments but I would say The Damned and The Buzzcocks were the tip of the top with honorable mention going to other underappreciated acts like The Adverts and The Stranglers!!!

[@gmantramp404]

@@Ramblebar Funnily enough I was at the Damned and Ruts tour where the Ruts blew the Damned off the stage 🤘👍😅

[@ddelaney712]

Actually, pretty much the same, except my band from that era was the Stranglers. Another great band from way back when. Yet is ignored in the history of punk. I'm not trying to take away from the clash and pistols, but what punk was about is inclusion, and history is shoving everyone except the pistols and clash to the background. History, gotta love it.

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

I find it amazing that Led Zeppelin used to sneak into their shows and stand at the back unrecognised.

[@tacman1974]

Vanian can perform as he used to do 40 years ago. Great band!!

[@rockets4kids]

There is a portrait aging away somewhere...

[@KowankoMusic]

I love this band so much. God bless The Damned.

[@chamberpot969]

They are really great with that same manic fun and the comic as the Ramones.

[@colddarkness1798]

They inspired many popular people and bands. They never got full attention. They are legends!

[@thewhatorwhy]

Dave Vanian is a genuine human being. Unlike the vast majority of artists who make a career out of being real. It's sad to see his disappointment of not getting their place and his face when Sensible talks about packing singles for other band ... : (

[@miwdiva]

He is and it's pretty bad too many of his so-called fans are incapable of appreciating that, they all reduce him to his LOOKS, don't care about the music, the taste, the work and artistry, they do NOT appreciate for a second this is a highly INTELLIGENT person, a CREATIVE, highly accomplished artist. THEY never did the Black Album, Phantasmagoria...yet some claim they ''control'' his clothes and that he dresses for them, as if the man gave a flying fuck about the approval of boilers without a gram of taste.

[@stimso]

I too get a miffed when you see a punk documentary and basically it's the Pistols and the Clash. I love the Pistols but The Damned did so much more.

[@MarquisVonLion]

Somehow I never really liked the Clash, Like the Ramones for that matter ... But the Damned, Damn! that was gooood...!

[@ClashTommyGun78]

"And goodnight from that stain on the sofa that was Captain Sensible" 😂😂

[@jocksilver7]

If you were born in the 2nd half of the previous century, you can't live happily without The Damned.

[@LadyNightsong]

One of the greatest bands of all time, yet so underrated! It amazes me how many people claim to love punk but have no idea who the Damned are!

[@raoulwhite9190]

Ivy Vanian they don't know jack ! Greatest punk land ever and come from Croydon 😂

[@Brewzerr]

I don’t know how anyone could claim to love punk without knowing who the Damned are. That’s ludicrous. They were one of the original first-generation UK punk bands, and the first to put out a single, first to release a full length LP, first to tour the U.S., first to break up, and first to re-form. It doesn’t matter whether these people like ‘em or not, but to not even know who they are? They obviously don’t really love punk if that’s the case. Even a lot of non-punks know who they are.

[@leethomas255]

ah Ivy Soulstice so young yet so wise.. I agree 100% with the 2 people who replied, as a Brit, The Damned were one of those bands we grew up with in the 70's and 80's.. oh how the years pass bye...

[@ViscountVile]

TheGothicGemini Where are these strange people!

[@gmantramp404]

@@raoulwhite9190 Ha Ha Ha they're certainly not punk nowadays.

[@strumbolli]

What the fuck do Rolling Stone magazine know about Punk. These were the punkest of all the UK punk bands and I love the Pistols and Clash, but The Damned fit the punk criterea more than all of them. And they're still an incredible band, fantastic musicians. Great interview ,great band.

[@gmantramp404]

strumbolli I have to disagree with you. first two albums Punk definitely. Machine Gun Etiquette some Punk tracks on it.The keyboards were introduced and then the Damned stopped being a punk band

[@frequencydecline5250]

The punkest of all UK punk bands? ....um... The Adverts, The Adicts, The Exploited, The Fall, Sham 69, The Slits, X-Ray Spex, SubHumans, Wire, Stiff Little Fingers, Vice Squad, The Vibrators, Buzzcocks....So the question is not "What the fuck do Rolling Stone magazine know about Punk" but rather, why are you forgetting so many?

[@GrayWoIf]

I love The Clash because they always did want they wanted even to this day they don't regret Sandinista and refuse to apologize for it because it's exactly what they wanted at the time.

[@user-dq3jv2xw5v]

And they met goth criteria as well. Very controversial, but I would say The Damned is the first punk rock band and first gothic rock band.

[@johnran6015]

The Damned were greater than punk honestly

[@godwins7845]

The Damned will live on forever ..

[@amandagray3349]

It's 3.03pm it's raining. Wellington, NZ so hi to anyone reading this. I love the Damned. Always have and always will. Good to see Paul Gray in the mix again. Collected and listened to every single and albums over the years. I'm missing one bootleg single. Damn. Travelled to see them alot of times. Alway been a Damned fan. Gawd bless the DAmned. Always gave me a bit of solice. Cheers :)

[@suicidebysasquatch4873]

The Damned are getting me through this lockdown ...Discovering songs I never heard before is a rare joy

[@leethomas255]

Thanks for the upload, as an old fart from the late 70's generation, it brings a tear to my jaded eyes to see so much love for the Damned by people under 30, just goes to show that true class IS appreciated, God Bless you all

[@suefurlong-jy2rx]

My first gig was The Damned, 1986, Manchester Apollo. We aren’t all under 30! 🤣bloody wish!

[@foxdawnstar5405]

Saw them 3 times, NEVER EVER disappointed. They put on a good show!!!

[@kelb6073]

This is my favorite punk band

[@Ass_Burgers_Syndrome]

Me too, always has been

[@thewhatorwhy]

Only punk band I've liked. I'm not a punk fan. Unless you count the first two Iron Maiden albums.

[@kenlieck7756]

When the first two Maiden albums came out you'dve been punched for even suggesting that!

[@thewhatorwhy]

By the metal fans or punk fans? Many don't want to hear it even today but it's true.

[@lindasmith6316]

I've just been sitting here mesmerized watching Dave's hands play with that card....

[@iamlennii6791]

This is the first time i have seen his hands. Always wearing gloves.

[@lindasmith6316]

@@iamlennii6791 IKR?

[@deedee-qx7cu]

No!! Don't die!! They must live on!! Honestly I have Just deep dived and they'ry favorite punk got band!! I wouldn't have left my bed unless I had them playing in my ear!!! Keep it up. Your new stuff is amazing and Dave's voice just keeps getting better!! I love u guys

[@annak8313]

Oh how I loved Dave back in the day. Such a crush I had! Still love the guy.

[@suefurlong-jy2rx]

Same! Was laughing about it last night, still has it many years later. I got into them through my cousin aged about 13ish. They were my first gig aged 15 in 1986, took me a minute to find anyone who’d go and my parents were unaware of punk. Still laugh now, apparently they saw all the punks following us in and my stupid stuffy dad wanted to drag us out again! Glad he didn’t. Just was amazing though I’m not keen on Anything… however they firmly cemented my love of live music. I’ve even been to gigs needing wheelchair to get to a seat. Well me would never do seated! 🤣 I’ve never forgotten them though, they were my teenage years though I kinda moved to goth than punk. Punk got old and there were some fantastic goth tunes going by 1986. I had very few friends with my music taste so I wasn’t led. Grew up in a strict in someways, controlling, sometimes scary house. Music was me being me . I pretty much have everything they released til after anything. Sadly can’t find Srawberries, thank goodness for KZbin!

[@dangivens3643]

What a band, totally responsible for my mis-spent youth, and I fkn luv it.....neat,neat,neat

[@leethomas255]

great post, made me chuckle - in a Very British way :0)

[@suefurlong-jy2rx]

I can’t afford no cannon, can’t afford no gun at all… bloody brilliant!

[@AriellaSurfgirl]

I LOVE the Damned! 20 plus years ago I got the pleasure to meet Dave, nicest guy! I’ve met a lot of bands in my day some “bigger per say” Dave Vanian was DEFINITELY my all time favorite!

[@rustybuckets07]

The Damned were and are the best.Machine Gun Etiquette is about the coolest thing I've ever listened to.

[@escaton74]

"Shadow of love" was one of my first singles, great memories of the "Phantasmagoria" era back when they were heavily featured on UK's Music Box program

[@DanAvenell]

Same here. My first exposure was Grimly Fiendish on Music Box.

[@davedavid2277]

One of my favourite bands of all time. Top geezers, seen them many, many times in the past and always loved every minute of their shows. One of my all time fave songs is Disco Man but then I hear Curtain Call again and then I'm not so sure! The Damned deserve so much respect and love for continually delivering the musical gifts. From Neat Neat Neat to Sanctum Sanctorum they have been superb.

[@UrbanwarriorTheSOV]

I loved the Damned the most. I loved Dave's look and even though I was just a little girl I took on his look. Wonderful days. Brilliant music.

[@MadderMel]

I think to overlook The Damned in the scheme of all things Punk is hugely disrespectful and dishonest !! Truly great band , and their place in history is assured !!

[@terryjones5120]

greatest band ever....period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@depthchargebetty3813]

Been a Clash fan for a long time, punk in general, but really enjoying going deep with the Damned. Cool bunch of guys. Love their style! 🖤

[@johnbionelli1893]

The interviewer knew his stuff. A+

[@lindasmith6316]

Still great! Dave's still got "it". Love The Captain, too.

[@jelt110]

40 years, the Damned believe in what they do. This is not a toss-off. Dave Vanian is the _GothFather. Thanks to you all for the great music AND poetry- you wrote some great lyrics- thoughtful and poignant, without being whiney. Brave shit.

[@grahammcnamara4803]

Now this is what it should have been like in the Damned documentary. Sadly, it wasn't. Still...enjoyed it . This is a good interview. Very informative stuff.

[@taterbapple9847]

Dave Vanian... man crush alert!! Dude!

[@adrianclamp5154]

Personally I really rated 'Strawberries'. A great album. And I love the scratch and sniff inner sleeve art work.

[@sargehayden6248]

Curtain Call was my all time favorite... in the mid 80's it was my get ready for school song every day... Turn on song then Shower, piss, teeth, hair before song ended. Ha!

[@soniamole8580]

Fantastic interview! So nice to hear from a truly fabulous guys who have worked their butts off and continue to this day. Bless you and thanks for the music. ❤❤🎼🎶💋

[@williamolsen20]

The Damned covered all different genres, and feel of music. I enjoy all the different phases of this band they rock.

[@tainbey]

I was at that gig, fucking amazing, I was also their LD during the phantasmagoria tour, nice that they played "manic monday", always a fun time with this band...

[@TheConduit10]

Their performance on the 'Old grey Whistle Test ' will forever be burned in to my memory , I think the chaos that ensued took Dave by surprise as much as anybody else!

[@nathalieduran7355]

They're the best. And the best bit is that they're decent, intelligent and cultured human beings.

[@miwdiva]

You are very right and it is rare to see that...esp the decent human being part. :)

[@Sinfiea]

Have loved this band for 40 yrs. Great stuff guys...

[@gailal]

Damned, lovely guys.

[@TheRockerxx69]

Great band! At the time 1976! Blew us minds.

[@onaimission]

Oh..."my brain is gone" ...love these blokes!

[@philgowling2114]

How did I miss this vid? A very interesting interview. Cannot wait to see both of them next week in Stroudsburg, PA. Saw them last year in Chelsea, NYC - would love to hear a rendition of History Of The World

[@beatbrunner1228]

Great Interview. I'm a great Damned Fan since i can think of. Two Punk Legends are they.

[@adambinnie1332]

Great interview from The Damned and to the reference of Prince passing...

[@MagicThys]

Quote from Captain Sensible, guitarist and songwriter for the Damned"Rock and roll is fucking brilliant, but it's not necessarily good for your health"great insights and emotive as fuck...love it!!!!

[@paul111287]

You guys are awesome and real music fans know who's the best not a stupid magazine. It was a privelidge to watch these guys live in person

[@user-ej4qf9xl2m]

Easìly a top 5 all-time punk tock band.

[@1goodthing]

For me, They were the band that captured the essence of it all... but they could play and wrote great songs... I saw them about 8 times.

[@paulbarron7389]

great band and a great interview

[@davemarriott9332]

Excellent interview........My favorite band of ALL TIME......There's not that many bands that has done so much great varied Punk Rock music over 40 years. Naz Nomad & The Nightmares comes to mind as I'm thinking back of the sort. Some bands of the era would put out an album and have a couple of good songs to play loud at your sister.....The Damned's releases....well, lets just say it was a rarity to skip a song on an LP. I have doubles of most of them due to wearing right through the first.

[@patrickfincher2934]

Dave Marriott

[@gmantramp404]

Evil Spirits could be described as a varied prog rock album. A really crap album imo 👍😀

[@michaels.thomas1564]

I'm in my 50's and I still go to see the Damned they are still great live, and so are James/Scabies when they play live, they have guest singers playing the James era Damned stuff, also great live.

[@gary5693]

I've been lucky enough to see the damned live a few times but the best gig I went to was when they performed as their other band naz nomad and the nightmares.... awesome if you haven't heard them I strongly suggest you do

[@rickannis4327]

The best punk band there ever was and will be

[@robertoc2485]

Great interview, great band thanks!

[@TheWaxdart138]

What a great interview!

[@pigknickers2975]

Loving this! Everyone's cool.

[@userroberto960]

These guys are cool thanks great interview you cover everything.

[@gaupau]

Excellent interview. Love these guys and phenomenal music. Cheers!!

[@eloise5177]

Great respect for these two love them . Looking forward to next year tour x

[@sonytelly5348]

loved these from back in the 80's supertalented got to see them in Sheffield , sensible came out for an encore scantily clad with grapes down his underpants and started working the crowd great gig.

[@boxxichampion]

I love the Damned

[@guylawrance2216]

Great band, Great interviewer..........Really Great and Honest interview. Like all things Punk........ The Real Quality always shows through in the end. Dunno how i’ve never seen this interview before but glad we finally crossed paths.

[@mollige44]

all the other bands are gone,the damned are still here

[@gmantramp404]

mollige44 Chelsea still playing formed in 1976, Slaughter and dogs, Dunno how you arrived at your statement

[@Brewzerr]

The Stranglers and Wire are still around.

[@indiesindie1984]

My absolute favorite punk rock band! The Damned LP was one of my first punk albums.

[@murrayjohnstonemusic4955]

They still sound great live. Saints are from Brisbane btw Captain

[@chrispinder4228]

Not in Rolling Stone's TOP 40 Punk Albums? Machine Gun Ettiquette or Damned, Damned, Damned would be Top 5 of any fan's list. Black Album and Strawberries would be in a 40 if they were 'classed' as Punk - by then the band had evolved way past any strait jacketed notion of what punk meant.

[@lukewaller2447]

Chris you are very very right. well said sir.

[@miwdiva]

You are so right...I actually peeked through a Spin issue (from 2003 or so) with a Punk special and I could NOT believe the Damned were not mentioned anywhere!! Unbelievable.

[@gmantramp404]

Machine Gun Etiquette ain't in my top 5 cuz it ain't completely punk musically.

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

@@gmantramp404 JFH Christ man. It can't NOT be punk because it IS punk.

[@gmantramp404]

@@princeofcupspoc9073 these hands is punk??? You having a laugh or what??

[@jackieeick]

love this band. "Alone again or" was the best version

[@wrekinrocks2121]

Saw The Damned, at Malvern Winter Gardens, back in the 70's. Great band and great times!

[@micheldaveau8827]

HI...THANKS FOR THE TRUTH...THE YOUTH OF MOVMENT....FRIENDLY YOURS FROM FRENCH FAN AGED OF 61..❤❤❤!!

[@MrNoonification]

VANIAN .... GENTLEMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@zankfrappa-ccino7493]

MrNoonification he looks great. Hasn't aged a bit really.

[@paulrawes]

Zank Frappa-ccino Apart from a little hair loss, you are correct!

[@garthkolbeck8674]

I'm just VERY surprised that they're STILL alive, let alone playing... Way to go!!!

[@Somerset-In-The-Blood]

Great band & new album!

[@mikeyj.3605]

The Damned are really cool. It's as simple as that.

[@peabody3000]

if you haven't heard them live you ain't really heard them.. \m/ so damned good

[@wanneske1969]

Such clever, modest, gentle, polite guys, contrary to ...

[@apocalpsefish]

Well said Dave No rules

[@sinjinmonsoon9055]

I love captain sensible.

[@jamesmonoghan1281]

I've lost count of my Damned gigs, fkn brilliant band.

[@TS50ER]

My fav Damned gig was at Brockwell Park in 1984. I was drunk as a skunk on cider and had a right old laugh.

[@venustus129]

Love the damned 👍👌😃

[@matoko123]

Great interviewer.

[@MichaelSmith-vo1mi]

Saw them Saturday night at the assembly Leamington absolutely brilliant

[@jonhillman871]

i love the damned but not for their contribution to punk rock. i love them for the contribution to music.

[@uleekaphoorn9676]

Great band! :)

[@grahamfield6173]

excellent

[@jennaorpheee9244]

THOSE GLASSES

[@vole12]

Love the Damned from day 1 .

[@jmar6656]

Cool stuff fells! Damn!

[@garrychivers4807]

as a mod i listen to them because they are worth listening to

[@EvenDarkerside]

"Another few lifetimes" Maybe the next one with me, Dave, we can share a love of Gothic architecture and B&W movies.

[@Speedboozer]

Dave had the best looking and style back in the days

[@John_F898]

Still does

[@steverascoe7069]

1977 The Dammed played the Starwood in Hollywood. They were kicked off the Television gigs at the Whisky a Go Go.

[@bipolatelly9806]

number 3 in my top 4th favourite band list!

[@jaypercy5974]

Funny story after the anarchy tour Malcolm and clash manger had meeting then clash manager had meeting with joe & Paul they laughed their heads off then went on to write complete control. Thank god for that meeting

[@GeorgeMcKnight]

Excellent band...saw them last in 2008-ish in Aberdeen, Scotland, supported by local band Toxik Ephex, whom I sold some cd's for...£6 each or 2 for £13...yeh, and someone did offer £13...gulp!!!