Fangbase - Reviews

The Agora, Cleveland, Ohio

Tuesday 15th October 2002

Steve Seitz was right when he praised The Damned, the show, and the audience at Club Lago in Pittsburg.

All came together for an intense time that set a high bar for all who come after. The next night in Cleveland didn't measure up at all causing Vanian to comment after the show 'was a bit of a strange audience wasn't it?' Lathargic might be a better word.

A very young crowd who obviously were there for Tiger Army they came alive during the Damned's early hits and tolerated anything slower or newer. Not that any of this affected the show. Captain seemed to feel better, badgered the audience as usual and seemed to be having a great time. David was more aloof than the night before but Pinch, Monty and Patricia gave their all.

The set list was basically the same as Pittsburg but they dropped Under The Floor Again and Eloise. Opening with Street Of Dreams they followed with Democracy, Just Can't Be Happy Today and Song.com (why hasn't this been released as a single?). Nasty finally saw the crowd warming a little but Absinthe, Plan 9, and Disco Man seemed to just bewilder most. Amen came off harder and more biting than the album version but again momentum was lost during 13th Floor, one young patron even shouted 'boring' (although I think he was embarrased by Captain earlier and was still in a twist). Wait For The Blackout, Ignite, a very heavy rocking She and Neat Neat Neat brought those left at this point alive again and they continued to shout for more and really did raise a little hell during New Rose, Love Song, and Smash It Up.

Captain said that each night was a challenge to pick the set list because they could do a speed punk show but it was 'too boring'. They liked the mood and settings the slower moodier songs set and enjoyed the changes of pace. That was obvious because even though the audience didn't exactly get what was going on, the Damned still played one great show.

Nelson Weaver

Thanks to Nelson Weaver for these photos!