British punk rock icons, The Damned announce their first full U.S. tour since the release of their critically acclaimed ‘Evil Spirits’, Tony-Visconti-produced album (and their first full length LP in 10 years). The LP recently became their first ever UK Top 10 album in their 41-year career, heading straight into the charts at #7. In the US, it had the biggest week ever on Soundscan for its week of release, coming in at #4 on the Heatseeker chart, as well as #24 Rock and #40 Vinyl.
The band have been touring non-stop since the release of ‘Evil Spirits’, releasing singles and videos that included “Standing On The Edge of Tomorrow” featuring up-to-the-minute garage psychedelia that gallops like Scott Walker’s ‘The Seventh Seal’, amid ominous ‘dies irae’ chorale and mucho post-millennial frustration. Dave Vanian says: “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.” and ‘Look Left’, which showcases The Damned at their most epic and grandiose; a sweeping sugarcoated mind grenade, addressing post-millennial society’s “media-induced coma” over lush vocal melodies and show tune theatrics. Written by drummer Pinch as a love song to the human race, the rich balladry holds a heavy lyrical theme within.
The greatest surviving British punk band are still firing on all cylinders and breaking all the rules. Where their peers either burnt out or faded away into mediocrity, this most spiritually chaotic of all punk groups have never been away, never surrendered their ideals, always forged onwards. From 1977’s high-energy ‘Damned Damned Damned’, via the riotous ‘Machine Gun Etiquette’ (1979), to the macabre ‘Phantasmagoria’ (1985) and beyond, The Damned never stayed in one place for long. Colourful, anarchic, yet propelled by an indefatigable creative motor, they’ve expanded their remit with every phase, to become one of the top-flight UK groups of ANY pop era.
Since 2008’s ‘So, Who’s Paranoid?’, they’ve toured constantly, to raise awareness of that amazing body of work. They now capitalise on all that with ‘Evil Spirits’, an eleventh studio album, which is not only fit to rank high amongst its illustrious predecessors, but also within the great rock pantheon. As their 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.”
Fast forward to 2017, and they’ve collaborated with another legend from pop’s golden age – Tony Visconti, whose production on innumerable classic albums by David Bowie, T-Rex and more, mark him not only as a master of his craft, but a perfect match for The Damned.
The album is available on digital download via Spotify and i-Tunes, and on CD and 180g vinyl available HERE
‘EVIL SPIRITS’ US TOUR
ALL TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY JULY 13TH AT 10AM LOCAL TIME
MORE DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
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
The Darts open all dates, with Radkey as direct support
UK SHOWS:
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
Keep up with The Damned
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