The first time I saw The Damned was in 1983 at the Country Club in Reseda, CA. Now, 40 years later, I got to see them again (OK, OK, I’ve seen them a few times in between), with Captain Sensible on guitar in his “traditional” red beret and striped t-shirt; Dave Vanian singing and looking like a 1920’s detective in his black suit, fedora, and cuff links; and Paul Gray on bass going incognito in his dark aviator glasses. These days, they are joined by Monty Oxymoron on keyboards (since 1996) and Will Smith on drums (since 2022). They were amazing, again, as usual, and as expected.

Their set was heavy with tunes from their new album Darkadelic (released April 28, 2023). I don’t have this record yet, so the songs were new to me yet familiar in a psychedelic/punk rock/only-The-Damned- can-do-this-sort-of-thing way, and based on the crowd’s reaction, they felt the same way. They were listening, bobbing their heads, and absorbing the new tunes.

As the set neared the end, the band started playing some of their old favorites like: “Smash It Up,” “Love Song,” “Born To Kill,” “Neat, Neat, Neat,” “New Rose” and more… Which turned the crowd from attentive listeners to a seething mass of excitement and energy.

The Damned have been playing since 1976 and have been great since day one.

The Dictators played first. A New York “proto-punk” band that formed in 1972, if you’re unfamiliar with The Dictators, think MC5 or New York Dolls. If you’re unfamiliar with the MC5 or New York Dolls, do your homework. It’s snotty rock ‘n’ roll at its best. In one of their best-known songs, The Dictators ask “Who Will Save Rock n’ Roll?” Based on tonight’s show, maybe it’s the old guys? Maybe! Their 50-minute set showed that Andy “Adny” Shernoff (bass), Ross The Boss (guitar), Albert Bouchard (drums), and new guy Keith Roth (vocals and guitar) could be the ones to do it!

Lastly, I want to thank The Damned, The Dictators, The House of Blues, and everyone else responsible for making this an “adult rock show.” Only two bands played. They started on time. They ended on time. They played great, and I was home by 11:30… These things are essential!

Now, GET OFF MY LAWN!

The Damned

The Dictators