Punk band The Damned have announced that original drummer Rat Scabies will rejoin the band and will join them on their upcoming ‘The Damned‘ 2024 UK tour. The tour will commence late next year in Newcastle on December 4th and will conclude in the band’s home city of London on December 18th.
The return of Rat Scabies, who replaces Will Taylor who left the band earlier this month, completes a line-up that has not performed together in a live setting since 1989, a full 35 years next December. The full line-up consists of lead singer Dave Vanian, who remains the only ever-present member of the group, guitarist Captain Sensible, bassist Paul Gray and, of course, drummer Rat Scabies.
The Damned UK Tour 2024
Performing for the first time in 35 years! With songs from The Black Album & Strawberries as well as all the classics and some surprises!
On sale this Friday at 10am
pic.twitter.com/plaih5r0wD— The Damned (@thedamned) November 21, 2023
The tour, according to a post on X, will feature songs from The Black Album and Strawberries, along with “all the classics and some surprises!”. Fans of the cult punk and gothic rock outfit would be correct in being excited about what “surprises” might lay in store for next year’s tour, and may even expect brand new material given the tour will not kick off for another 13 months, possibly allowing the band time to creatively conjure up some new tracks.
Listen to “Neat Neat Neat“, a track from The Damned’s debut album, Damned Damned Damned, below:
The Damned, a London-based band formed in 1976, made a significant impact on the music scene with the release of their debut album, Damned Damned Damned, in 1977. They have gone on to cultivate a strong cult following as they transitioned from a raw punk style in the late 70s to a darker gothic approach in the 80s. The group have gone on to release a total of 12 albums, the latest of which, Darkadelic, was released earlier this year in April via earMUSIC.
Watch the music video for “Beware Of The Clown“, a song from The Damned’s latest release, Darkadelic, below:
See below for dates for next year’s tour:
04/12/2024 – NX – Newcastle
05/15 – Barrowlands – Glasgow
06/12 – Academy – Manchester
08/12 – O2 Academy – Leeds
09/12 – Rock City – Nottingham
10/12 – The Halls – Wolverhampton
12/12 – Beacon – Bristol
13/12 – O2 Guildhall – Southhampton
14/12 – Winter Garden – Eastbourne
16/12 – Corn Exchange – Cambridge
18/12 – Roundhouse – London
Tickets will go on general sale tomorrow (Friday 24th November) and will be available to purchase here.
You can purchase The Damned’s latest album, Darkadelic, here.
