The Damned update

The Damned have announced their first full U.S. tour since the release of Evil Spirits, which Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T-Rex) produced and is their first full length in 10 years. It just  became their first UK Top 10 album, entering the charts at #7. In the US, it had the biggest Damned week ever on Billboard Soundscan for its week of release, coming in at #4 on the Heatseeker chart, as well as #24 Rock and #40 Vinyl.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” says frontman Dave Vanian, in a press release. “But it feels great to finally get there, as it’s been a long time coming. We’ve had lots of top 10 [UK] singles but never an album. Even when ‘Eloise’ was a big hit, we were pipped to the Number One spot by a novelty song by [British comedy actor and singer] Su Pollard! This time we’ve had Kylie and the Manics to compete with. A huge thanks to the fans, of course, without whom this record would never have been made. It feels amazing to finally get it out there.”

There's a new video, too, for the single, "Look Left," filmed at the legendary Camden, UK venue, Koko. It addresses post-millennial society’s “media-induced coma” over lush vocal melodies and show tune theatrics. It was written by drummer Pinch as a love song to the human race.

The band have been touring nonstop since the release of Evil Spirits, releasing singles and videos that included "Standing On The Edge of Tomorrow" featuring modern garage psychedelia.

Vanian calls it “an optimistic song, even though it is about a dark subject. In a world obsessed by ‘self’, this is a cry for humanity to recognize its humanity, before it’s too late. There is a strong influence of Joe Meek here: ‘Telstar’ was a glorious song about the opportunities of the future. I’d like to think that ‘SOTEOT’ reflects a similar sentiment.”

photo: Tony W.

In a career spanning 41 years, the longest surviving and first British punk band last released ‘So, Who’s Paranoid?’ in '08 and have toured constantly. Regarding Evil Spirits, guitarist Captain Sensible points out, “I have some incredible albums at home, by The Kinks, The Who, The Small Faces – I want ours to be as good as those.”

Evil Spirits was recorded in October 2017 at Atomic Sound studios in Brooklyn with Black Album (1980) and Strawberries (1982)-era bassist Paul Gray back in the fold.

"We deliberately recorded the album retro style,” explains Sensible. "The same way our debut album was made, basically. There’s something wonderful about the seventies sounds; glam, rock and punk records, they all sound so great and Tony specializes in beautifully crafted old school production. He had us all playing live, bashing it out in the same room with a focus on getting the initial band version of each song as close as possible to the finished thing."

And of the evil spirits that the album intends to dispel? "I started buying records in 1967, the Summer of Love," adds Sensible. "There were so many positive changes happening through the 60s and 70s; civil rights, feminism, the anti-nuclear demos in particular. Whatever happened to all that? Where are today’s anti-war marches? Whatever happened to the beautiful hippy dream of worldwide peace and love?"

The album is available on digital download via Spotify and i-Tunes, and on CD and 180g vinyl available HERE

US Tour dates:

October 17 - Boston - Paradise

October 18 - New York - Irving Plaza
October 19 - Asbury Park - Stone Pony
October 20 - Washington D.C. - Black Cat
October 21 - Philadelphia - Theatre Of Living Arts
October 25 - Denver - Gothic Theatre
October 26 - Salt Lake City - The Depot
October 27 - Las Vegas - House Of Blues
October 28 - Tempe - Marquee Theater
October 31 San Francisco - Regency Ballroom
November 1 - Santa Cruz - The Catalyst
November 2 - Los Angeles - Henry Fonda Theatre

ON SALE JULY 13TH AT 10AM LOCAL TIME. MORE DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

UK Tour dates:

August 22 - Southampton - 02 Guildhall

August 23 - Holmfirth - Holmfirth Picture House
August 24 - Warrington - Warrington Parr Hall
August 25 - Belfast - Belsonic Festival
November 19 - Brighton - Dome
November 20 - Norwich - UEA
November 22 – Cheltenham – Town Hall
November 23 – London - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
November 24 – Portsmouth - Pyramids
November 26 – Sheffield - Plug
November 27 – Edinburgh - Liquid Rooms
November 29 – Liverpool - O2 Academy
November 30 – Coventry - Empire

Evil Spirits track listing:

1. Standing On The Edge Of Tomorrow

2. Devil In Disguise
3. We’re So Nice
4. Look Left
5. Evil Spirits
6. Shadow Evocation
7. Sonar Deceit
8. Procrastination
9. Daily Liar
10. I Don’t Care

The Damned lineup:

David Vanian - Vocals

Captain Sensible - Guitar
Monty Oxy Moron - Keyboard
Pinch - Drums
Paul Gray – Bass