music

January 16, 2026

‘We wouldn’t still be playing if we’d got stinking rich’: the Damned celebrate 50 years of punk, goth and holy grail hunting

An appetite for self-destruction left Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible and Rat Scabies hugely influential but financially insecure. They’re back with a big show and their first album together since 1995

‘We wouldn’t still be playing if we’d got stinking rich’: the Damned celebrate 50 years of punk, goth and holy grail hunting

TL;DR

  • The Damned is celebrating 50 years, with the core trio of Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, and Rat Scabies now reunited.
  • The band has experienced three major break-ups and numerous lineup changes throughout its history.
  • Their musical style evolved from punk to psychedelic pop and goth, making their categorization difficult for listeners.
  • Despite a fragmented discography spread across nine labels, the band is experiencing renewed success with high-charting albums and a major upcoming concert.
  • The new album is a collection of covers dedicated to founding guitarist Brian James, who passed away in March 2025.
  • The members acknowledge that their chaotic approach and lack of major label backing contributed to their struggles but also preserved their unique identity.

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