The Damned Show Ep#16 Recording Generals with Paul Gray

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[@firstboyonthemoon8876]

Strawberries is my all time fave Damned album. Absolute masterpiece.

[@damneddracrose4763]

Best Damned Bassist of all time !

[@chuckabbate5924]

No contest,and a wonderful chap!

[@user-gh9yd3nc8e]

Strawberries. The soundtrack to my life.

[@raindawg]

PG always seems like such a nice bloke, and what an amazing talent on the bass (and songwriter to boot!!) great to see him back with the Damned, Black Album and Strawberries (and Friday 13th ep) are classics and Paul's playing is key to that

[@twistedspanner]

Pity the they didn't extent Friday the 13th to full length album. Added Nasty to it and it could have turned into one damn classic.

[@armyofmoths]

A masterclass in brilliant pop writing.

[@tonyajm8289]

How come the Damned never celebrated "Strawberries" like other albums? It's one af my all time fave albums.

[@CJBrowninLV]

I think with Paul Grey back in the band then maybe next year there will be an Anniversary Celebration for Strawberries (they just need a drummer!) 😀👍🏻

[@mikemike7141]

@@CJBrowninLV RAT would be great

[@CJBrowninLV]

@@mikemike7141 - Dave & Capt' & Rat need to make peace .... or it'll never happen.

[@michaelrobinson7355]

I can but agree.

[@koont666]

I probably saw you with the damned more times than any other damned bassist ,best bassist for miles .

[@antonleverme3075]

This is my favourite Damned Show episode so far. What a brilliant insight and demonstration of song writing for The Damned. All done before digital. Truly inspiring. Paul Gray, you are a genius sir!

[@chainsawbarbarian]

We want Damned action figures!!!

[@jonightingale]

That was brilliant, lovely Paul - every member of The Damned is like a one-man Damned!

[@AndrewAHayes]

Paul, please back up those tapes they are such an important part of your career with The Damned, having heard them I would hate for you to have to tell us they snapped or fell to pieces. I really enjoyed this you must do some more of these videos.

[@vermilliongecko]

I second this!

[@philsmith2915]

@@vermilliongecko I third it!

[@mightyV444]

I totally agree also! I had digitalised my old band's 4-track recordings some time ago, too!

[@laurentgriffon698]

Greatest 😀😀😀 Generals is one of the most beautiful song wrote by The Damned and it talks about the fall of Berlin in May 1945. Unforgetable!!!

[@petea1uk]

PG’s videos are far and away the best on The Damned Show.

[@vermilliongecko]

I concur!

[@buzzawuzza3743]

I bought Strawberries when it came out and loved it! All the good bands do new things as record their albums. This was a cool look into how PG worked at the time. Rock on!

[@Ken-tt5md]

Best Damned show yet!

[@PunkLiveInLondon]

I agree! 👍

[@vermilliongecko]

I agree too!

[@mightyV444]

This and Captain's 'Smash It Up - Pt.1' guitar lesson 😀

[@philipusher4282]

Fascinating back story about the writing and production of this underrated album. From an old geezer who attended a Strawberries for Pigs tour gig, the Newcastle leg which ended up being released as a live album. Much more layered and complex than it seems on the surface. As a certain Swedish pop group might say, "Thank you for the Music"😉

[@wolfenstein6676]

4:42 The bass guitar riff sounds similar to the Stranglers' track, 'Down in the Sewer'. Thanks for the song-writing history on 'Generals', Paul, it's a classic Damned track, definitely one of my favourites.

[@gjw1971]

Great stuff. I'm always fascinated with demos, and this is no exception.

[@milosit]

Paul - that was freakin' brilliant. Thank you for walking us all through your process of recording. So fascinating. Strawberries and Black Album are timeless classics and among my favorite albums of all time.

[@h.m.7218]

LOVE THIS SONG !

[@johnroberts1045]

Great video. Another week of lockdown life saved by the DAMNED SHOW👍

[@herb79]

I really love the lyrics, it's possibly the only rocksong ever written on the fall of Berlin in 1945. A classic!

[@micmac1121]

Love that song!

[@gardgoldsmith3304]

This was FANTASTIC, Paul!! Thanks!! Loved it!! This particular song has always been a key, high-ranking song among the thousands that have crossed my ears. Its anti-war stance is heightened by a real sense of urgency in the pace of the song, recalling what must have been terrible times for so many in WWII. It evokes thoughts of history and one's family and the misdeeds of the political leaders, and much more, and seeing you run through the brilliant way you tracked it, wrote it, etc... All made my day!! Thank you!!

[@tobyharris9725]

Nice one Paul Gray - loved Strawberries, loved the Black Album and loved the Wingmen last weekend.

[@pmarjora]

Only just discovered this. It's fascinating! thanks so much for sharing the story.

[@roomeleven7024]

Thanks for giving us the time for sharing this insight into the making of such a great song and also had the great pleasure of meeting back in 92 at the Ipswich dome gig.PG “The bass king”👍👍

[@thelightweights3774]

Brilliant PG#1. We love Generals, almost as much as PG#2!

[@COL321]

This is really interesting stuff, I always wanted one of those 4-track cassette Teacs, so compact. Thanks for filming this!

[@crystalc1ear]

Great video about a great song, Paul's contribution to that record is underappreciated

[@Brewzerr]

That was a treat. Thank you Paul! Also reminded me of when I used to spend hours recording at home on my old Yamaha MT8X. Unfortunately all of my old master tapes, and I do mean *ALL* of them... were destroyed while I was moving to a new place back in 2003. Hundreds of hours' worth of recordings, just gone forever. I can only imagine how many recordings you must have from over the years. Hope to see and hear more. Cheers!

[@scottburton9741]

I would have paid good money to hear this on a Strawberries deluxe edition. This is awesome! Thanks Paul for giving this to us for free

[@AndrewAHayes]

I came back to this video as I like to recap and listen to the stuff that really interests me, I think The Damned should put out an Album of demos, I for one would definetly buy it, and I know The Damned fans and collectors would be falling over to buy one.

[@markdoughty8780]

This guy's a Damn good bass player...thanks for uploading.

[@SpiritOfOrange]

Brilliant episode but the background music as Paul was talking was unnecessary or too loud (as much as I love the song).

[@vermilliongecko]

Also, Paul's voice is quite low and quiet at times, so the background music made it harder to hear him.

[@SpiritOfOrange]

Vermillion 303 Yeah, I was able to make out what PG was saying once the background music subsided. I might have ADHD 🤣

[@user-gh9yd3nc8e]

Thoroughly enjoyable stuff. Massive fan of your music. Please back up those tapes. 😎

[@robguitarwizard]

AGREE!

[@wearekasule]

theres a wee subtitles tab at the bottom 'CC' - might help. cheers

[@robingrin9781]

Brilliant I love generals and strawberries .... Got to be a tour surely

[@micmac1121]

Paul Grey is an amazing artist

[@jasoncarr1854]

Fantastic that, even the retro kit is bringing back memories, reckon I should dig out my Dr Ryth8, can't remember it sounding so well

[@AddienaAndrea]

Wow, what a find! Thank you so much PG for sharing this, just brilliant to see and hear the process 😊 ...hang on a minute...Hot Gossip? Never knew you gents were dance buffs... 🤔😉

[@stevenmcleanart]

Brilliant. Enjoyed it a lot. Thanks for sharing Paul.

[@icu12cme]

Great video. Cheers Paul.

[@elusivestranger1032]

Paul, you are a genius! So glad you are back with the Damned.

[@patrickfitzgerald409]

Marvellous stuff. Great to see how it's all put together and a wonderful song one of The Damned 'most underrated! Top man PG.

[@carmosine555]

Thank you so much for sharing this, Paul. Brilliant to see you explaining the background of my favourite song Generals! I truly enjoyed watching this.

[@theresajohnson3031]

Thanks for the background on Generals, PG. I love that song! My hubby and I were thinking about looking into computer programs for recording but this info is very enlightening. Thanks for the info! One year ago was a great show in Chicago that we will never forget. (: Glad your tour was last year and not this year.

[@druthorah]

Awesome!

[@JeffGitano]

Nice one Paul, glad to see you are still at it 👊

[@PunkLiveInLondon]

I love this, it's amazing how you managed to having still sounding good after all that bouncing down. Love that track and that album. I had a Fostex 4 track in the 80s with a Roland drum machine and bought the Tascam 8 track when they brought that out. So this really takes me back. Your fantastic sounding bass makes a big difference though. Thanks for this upload. Made my day, seeing your gear and hearing your stories. 👍

[@rickrocks97]

thanks Paul

[@jarrahdrum]

Fabulous, thank you

[@katjabrod9780]

Thank you very much for sharing! Lovely!

[@punkrocker843]

Really great, thanks Paul

[@KowankoMusic]

what a treat! loved everything about this

[@kvlt-punk]

Absolutely amazing and insightful thank you PG!

[@alternativestrawman7838]

f#n hell i never knew you wrote that , wicked !

[@67mck95]

Thanks for taking the time brilliant 👌👌

[@adriangosbell7736]

great insight.. thanks Paul.

[@Nadia.Crowley]

Lovely stuff Paul. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnroskruge2752]

Thanks for taking the time to record this. A great insight on how this song was put together. Can we have some more please. 👍

[@royjones1571]

Love this stuff!!!!

[@bigfella3000]

Brilliant, thanks

[@mightyV444]

Mind = Blown! Thank you, Paul! :-) Brings back memories of recording my own 4-track demos in the early 90's, which then was Heaven on Earth to me, especially after it having taken a very long time to talk my much older brother into lending his Teac/Tascam recorder to me :-)) I don't think I was actually quite as excited when I started working with Cubase, only 7 years later!

[@jalmarirantala6059]

That was so great, thanks a lot, PG. Could we have some more, please?

[@mike2candh]

Thanks Paul you Rock!!!!

[@vermilliongecko]

My favourite episode of The Damned Show so far!

[@luxford60]

Fascinating. Loved that.

[@gazzabel7040]

Absolutely fantastic ...fascinating seeing how the song came together....I noticed on one of your bass videos a tape that said rock field outtakes would like to here them too ...

[@sunlad8297]

Thanks Paul, great insight on recording

[@tootstanner]

Love it Paul

[@andymae66]

Paul. You should release that demo. It sounds great, plus it's a real "must have" part of history. Lots of love from old chum Fester

[@jonhillman871]

this nuts and bolts presentation of how generals came together is something i would enjoy watching for every song the damned made. also, strawberry dross... when the summer comes...you know we're va-ga-bonds when the summer comes...we'll smoke pot and be freeeeeee

[@StanJames_LaserPunk]

I had same Tascam until my son knelt on the display panel... Great machines....

[@fravellist]

Brilliant trip through the history of the track. I'm sure Strawberries was released a month before Channel 4 started?

[@CJBrowninLV]

🖤 Strawberries (album) The Dog is my favourite track! Thanks for sharing Paul Grey (we know already, "Dave's Not Here!") 😀👌🏻

[@copetill7896]

"Strawberries" is a masterpiece. I'd love to know what kind of Console(Neve, Trident, Helios, etc.) and Tape format(16/24trk -2") it was tracked on.

[@candydormizzi2500]

A true Legend here !

[@carmengiaa65]

PG thanks mate, big fan since the Hot Rods, P bass, Rick, Performer, nice!

[@markforde3103]

Fantastic,loved Strawberries!

[@ursulaschlapbach311]

Love you !

[@halemacepig]

Would love to see a release of these demos.

[@Wazulon]

That is one great demo :) 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@michaelburrows4562]

You recorded these well, they still sound great. I never anything out of my Portastudio sounding that good.

[@Glenn54321]

That was fascinating Paul...I still have a fully working Tascam Porta One from the 1980s which has been sitting in its box for at least 25 years...I can clearly remember the train ride to London to buy it for quite a lot of money....About £400 if I recall !!...Had forgotten just how much fun they were to use...

[@tankthelord1178]

Nice one PG. I had one of them and bounced and bounced and bounced until the cows came home.

[@fintimwhimbim]

That’s brilliant mate, always loved that song and didn’t realise you were the force behind. Really interesting story. My cousin and I used to record using a tascam we had a ball but none of it made it beyond the bedroom 😂

[@garyerrington9658]

I hated my 424! horrible lol Yet Paul (Fucking Genius) works it so well lol Bastard! pure inspiration!

[@ursulaschlapbach311]

Lucky you!

[@sandem100]

Nice one Paul

[@theefishlippedone]

Very cool

[@chainsawbarbarian]

Very glad to see PG!! Let's hear some demos!!! Let's talk pipes smoking, Dave!! I shan't stop with the request! Haha!! Off to a riot! I will charge into battle with the world's greatest band on my headphones!!!!! That's right.......The Magnificent Damned!!!!!

[@SpiritOfOrange]

chainsaw barbarian You off to Minneapolis?

[@chainsawbarbarian]

@@SpiritOfOrange haha! Los Angeles!

[@SpiritOfOrange]

chainsaw barbarian 🤣 You’re safe for the time being. Hopefully it won’t spread down south - stay safe 👍

[@chainsawbarbarian]

@GretschDog get bent.

[@GenerationXReunion]

Had no idea Paul wrote Generals - Cheers

[@Watts660]

Excellent video and great to hear Generals in it's original demo form. I love 4 track recorders, I still have my trusty Tascam 464 in the loft, I used cassette based recording for years and in a lot of ways I prefer it to using a DAW just for its ease of use and warmth of the recordings. Please make a hard copy of those cassettes, they are too valuable to lose.

[@stationsixtyseven67]

Woah, 5:02 lead guitar sounds just like Floyd's 'Lucifer Sam'! :D

[@twistedspanner]

I always thought 'Generals' sounded like Madness. I'm sure they could do a great cover of it.

[@user-tf4pk2lp1j]

誰か日本人の人いますか⁉️ THE DAMNED大好き😆💕 OH 愛しのポール師匠‼️🎵🎸👍

[@delakota555]

I found this video fascinating. I still have my Tascam Portastudio 414 (Mk2 I think) in the loft. You're right, they have a lovely immediacy when creating songs and that tape just sounds so warm and natural. They are great for demos and bouncing the tracks means you have to get really creative and think about what you are doing. Can we have a version without the music at the beginning as it is a distraction from what you are saying. It's like a lot of films now...too much music! 😉 Thanks for the great video! 👍

[@AndrewAHayes]

I still use my 4 track for drums and bass, the compression and warmth is awesome and I cant get the exact same thing with tape plugins and as Paul said they have knobs and sliders. I came back to watch this video again as I like to recap on things that really interest me, wouldnt it be a great thing if The Damned put out an Album of their demo's?

[@BRIANBONAR]

More Paul Gray please as best one so far! Generals was a brill song!Have to give Monty the elbow like as his ones were shite sorry😂

[@leslieneame-collins5202]

One of the greatest baseplayers

[@tintomara6209]

I have that very same 4 track Tascam

[@michaeltb6276]

Please upload your mix of this demo! I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that we'd love to hear it.

[@colincrooks5234]

Brilliant PG really enjoyed that, where's Dave?