The English Punk rock band The Damned announced late last night (21/10/2020) that they dust off the original line-up for the summer 2021 reunion tour. Dave Vanian, Brian James, Rat Scabies, and Captain Sensible will reunite and will begin the tour to mark The Damned’s 45th anniversary. A piece of much welcome news for fans of the old Punk Rock band.
THE DAMNED original line-up will reunite for a UK tour in 2021. Founding members Dave Vanian, Rat Scabies, Captain Sensible and Brian James will play four shows next July, tickets are on sale this Friday 23 Oct from https://t.co/Mnk8EztgSU pic.twitter.com/SxqwVJ84g9
— The Damned (@thedamned) October 21, 2020
This will mark the first time all 4 of the original band members have been on stage together for over 25 years. Scabies (the drummer) and James (the guitarist) will join in on stage after the two-decade break. The lead singer Dave Vanian is the only original band member to remain a constant since the band’s inception all the back in 1976.
The Damned rose to fame very quickly, both at home in the UK and overseas in the USA. Vanian, Sensible, and Scabies originally were part of a band called ‘Masters of the Backside‘ with the future frontwoman of the Pretenders Chrissie Hynde. She would later go on to say in her book ‘Reckless’ that “Without me, they were probably the most musically accomplished punk outfit in town” (Hynde, 2015)
On October 22nd, 1976, The Damned were the First Punk band to release a single (New Rose). The next year on the 18th of February 1977 they became the first British Punk band to release a full-length punk album (Damned Damned Damned). Later that same year in the spring of 1977 they then became the first British Punk band to tour the US
Fans were obviously very excited by the news of the original 4 piece band reforming after so many years. The band obviously is known for a lot of firsts in the British Punk scene is also known for a lot of splitting ups, getting back together, or members leaving. Having a grand total of 19 members over the course of the bands run and splitting up a number of times. The Damned truly lived up to the lifestyle and music of “fast living and faster music“
With RSVPing starting for their tour now and the ability to be notified when tickets go on sale, The Damned seemed to be getting the fans very excited. At present, there are only 4 gigs being played in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Manchester. However, The Damned have added an option for fans to ask for the band to “Play in your city“. Fans should be ready for tickets to be snapped up very fast much like The Damned’s fast pace style.
09/07/2021 – Eventim Apollo Hammersmith – London
16/07 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
17/07 – O2 Academy – Glasgow
18/07 – O2 Academy – Manchester
