The Damned Bristol gig review

Posted on: 2018-02-13

Our rating:

Dave Vanian held the audience enthralled in a leather gloved hand, still displaying his matinee idol good looks that belie his sixty two years.


On a wet and windy Saturday night in February The Damned are called to the O2 Academy Bristol.

Slim Jim Phantom, ex of the Stray Cats, plus guests, opened the proceedings, playing an electrifying set of rock and roll, rock-a-billy covers, with a dash of psycho Billy rock thrown in for good measure, finishing off with a stripped back, hyped up version of Stray Cat Strut. This prepared the appreciative audience quite beautifully for the main event.

The assembled crowd, a pleasing mix of ladies and gentlemen of a certain age, who’ve probably been fans since the bands heyday in the seventies and eighties, many accompanied by children that were about the same age as they were when it all began. Along side them were groups of unaccompanied youngsters also enjoying the delights of the Godfathers of punk for the first time.

Continuing their 40th anniversary celebrations Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible et all, play classics from their back catalogue, however, fans need to be aware they are still a recording band and although Evil Spirits is their first album in ten years, only die hard fans will recognise all the tracks.

Dave Vanian held the audience enthralled in a leather gloved hand, still displaying his matinee idol good looks that belie his sixty two years, he without a doubt bares a striking resemblance to the undead prince of darkness he has portrayed for the past four decades. He delivers an enviable vocal in the haunting Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

An excellent guitar solo from The Captain in Under the floor again show what a truly under-rated guitarist he really is.

Paul Grey and Pinch drive things along brilliantly on bass and drums respectively, ably assisted by Monty Oxymoron adding a melodic note on the keyboards, not to mention him showing some scintillating footwork, helping to entertain (as if it were needed) when not being called for on the keys.

The late seventies classic So Messed Up is rapidly followed by the iconic line Is she really going out with him?, and New Rose send the crowd into a pogoing mosh of delight! Quickly followed by Love Song.

The band play a clever selection of old and newer classics, one of the highlights being their cover of Barry Ryan’s Eloise, now surely one of their own! Devil in Disguise follows and more fun ensues with the likes of Ignite and A dozen girls, before the classic Neat, neat, neat ends the set.

No sooner have they left the stage than they are back, playing an encore set which appropriately enough ends with Smash it up!

They certainly enjoyed themselves, as did a near capacity crowd.

All in all a Damned good night out!

Reviewed by Tony Hand for 365Bristol - the leading events and entertainment website for Bristol

The Damned at O2 Academy Bristol - February 2018



Article by:

Brendan Murphy

Bristol born and bred despite the name, Brendan has been working in the digital media sector for the last 10 years and advertising for the last 20 years. A wealth of knowledge about the city and more importantly at how to help businesses get as much online exposure as possible. Call Brendan on 07876 735153 or email Brendan@365bristol.com.