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 When
I arrived, the first band, Blackburn's own 'The Exorsisters' were
already on stage. They have recently been in the local press regarding
their alleged disgusting stage antics.
However, no one in this audience was offended, and the Damned's
Captain Sensible said that they were the best support band he had
seen in the last five years. The second band on were 4ft Fingers,
who tried with some success, to get the crowd going.
The
Damned were celebrating the 25th anniversary of their classic (recently
reissued) album 'Machine Gun Etiquette', so it was not surprising
that they started with four tracks from the album, opening with
the hit single 'Love Song'. By the third song 'I just can't be Happy
Today', Captain Sensible was already playing his guitar on the floor.
Next the rarely played live 'Anti Pope', which was dedicated to
the Cambridge City clergy, who were outraged recently when The Damned
were asked to switch on the Christmas lights.
See: Neat,
Neat, Neat
Five
numbers in - they play their debut single (and first ever punk single)
'New Rose'. Unfortunately towards the end of the number, someone
throws a beer on stage - not a clever idea - resulting in Captain
Sensible storming off the stage at the end of the number when the
person who threw it didn't own up.
Thankfully
he soon returned, and the rest of the set mixed tracks off their
latest album 'Grave Disorder' with classic older tracks like 'History
of the World Part 1' and MC5's 'Looking at You', playing also their
biggest hit single 'Eloise'.
 Captain
Sensible must be the most underrated guitarist in the business. |
Throughout
the show singer Dave Vanian was in fine voice, and Captain Sensible
must be the most underrated guitarist in the business.
In fact, it could be argued that the current line up are producing
their best live show in their 28 year career!
The set ended with 'Neat Neat Neat', which also included in the
middle of the song a cover of The Doors 'Break on Through'.
They
soon came back for a four song encore, including 'Noise Noise Noise'
and 'Curtain Call'. By this stage Captain Sensible had been replaced
by Suzy Lollipops!
The show ended (as with most Damned shows) with 'Smash it Up'. Unlike
a lot of bands who have been going for this length of time, this
is not a cabinet show, and the material the band are producing now,
stands well with their earlier work. They know how to put on a good
show.
Oh….. and if you want to know what Captain Sensible is wearing
for the encore, you will just have to catch them at Manchester Academy
on Saturday 4 December or Liverpool on the 5th.
See also:
The
Big Review: All About Eve
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