Fangbase - Reviews

Valentine's, Albany, New York

Tuesday 8th October 2002

I had the singular pleasure of seeing the Damned on October 8th in Albany, NY. I'm a balding, overweight 47 year old elementary school principal / boring old fart who has been a huge fan since the very beginning. I hadn't seen The Damned since a glorious bang-up on Long Island in 1983, so I couldn't very well miss them do a gig in my very own hometown!

The prospect of hanging out with a bunch of second generation punk rockers in a grimy, smoky shithole, until who knows when on a work night was not one I relished, but we are talking about the Damned here! I'm sure most of the patrons thought my bud Frank and I were undercover cops or something, but we didn't care.

When the band took the stage we were right up front between the Captain and Vanian. Captain welcomed us by saying that he would like to shag us all up the arse, then he points to yours truly and proclaims, "I'd like to start with you sir." My inspired response was an enthusiastic, "Well, thank you!" Then they blasted off on "New Rose" and there was no let up for the next 90 minutes or so.

Vanian was absolutely dynamic. He put so much energy and enthusiasm into his performance you would of thought he was playing at Madison Square Garden instead of Albany Pisshall Center.

The Captain played some absolutely sonic guitar (my ears are still ringing, could be some permanent damage) throughout the night.

Pinch was fabulous, even playing "Plan 9" standing up, just to show the Captain he could do it. I hate to say it, but he is a way better drummer than Rat ever thought of being.

Patricia was beautifully creepy and probably the best bassist the band has ever had.

Monty is just a godamned lunatic! What smooth moves!

They all seemed to be having a great time! At one point Dave passed his mike to my friend GiGi, who complained in her best Long Island whine that "the boys in the middle, who weren't even born in 1982 are going around in circles and annoying me!". Dave said he was with her. It was the only drag of the night, a handful of pseudo punks in all their punk rock finery had to do the mosh thing in a very small, cramped and crowded space. How 1980's you cavemen! I don't remember it being so nasty 20 years ago, must have been a kinder, gentler punk rock! Also, loved it when Captain grabbed a cig out of some punkette's mouth and stamped it out on the stage - I couldn't agree more!

I grabbed the Captain's setlist at the end of the night, but I don't know how accurate (see below) it was. They played "Love Song" and "Nasty" which weren't on the list, but "Absinthe" was on the list and I don't remember hearing it. I screamed my head off for "Suicide", "Noise,Noise,Noise" and especially "Curtain Call" (well they played it in Detroit!), all to no avail. No matter - I loved hearing "Ignite", "Disco Man", "Blackout","Happy", "13th Floor" and of course all the great new tunes from Grave Disorder.

Anyway, even though I was dead all day at work the next day with my ears ringing like crazy, it was a great time. I got to see some of my mates from the old days and see once more one of the all time great, under appreciated groups of all time. Hope it's not another 20 years!

New Rose
Democracy
Just Can't Be Happy
Song.com
Street of Dreams
Absinthe
Disco Man
Plan 9
Would You Be So Hot
Amen
13th Floor
Blackout
Ignite
Love Song
Nasty
She
Neat Neat Neat

Encore:
Under the Floor
Eloise
Smash it Up (both parts)

Anon