Fangbase - Reviews

The Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA

Saturday 12th October 2002

What can I say....it was excellent! The band were extremely tight and in very high spirits, it was obvious they were enjoying themselves up there and really going for it.

They opened with a blazing version of Street Of Dreams, made me wonder what Phantasmagoria might have sounded like with Captain. Rest of the set list, in order:

Democracy
Just Cant Be Happy
Song.Com
NASTY!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!
Absinthe
Disco Man
Plan 9
Would You Be So Hot
Amen
13th Floor Vendetta
Wait For The Blackout
Ignite
She - They really cranked She out harder and faster than the album version or any other time I've heard them do it live, excellent
Neat Neat Neat - With a great improvised jammed out middle section of course but this time Captain threw in the bridge section of MGE/Second Time Around just before they went back into the chorus!

Encore:
Happy Talk (Not on the setlist but the crowd kept yelling for it and Dave even joined in)
New Rose
Love Song (Played very furious, and wasn't on the setlist)
Smash It Up, both I and II

We were supposed to get Under The Floor Again and Eloise for the encore but they'd already played about 15 mins past their cut off. Doh!

The interaction between them as they played was great to see...they'd glance at each other at different points and just smile or laugh. Especially between Captain and Patricia who had a few little playful duels bumping into each other or trying to push the other one out of the way to be in front. Dave even laid a little smooch on Patricia mid song (Ok, lets here it...Awwwwww how sweet) Its great to see this band so happy and cohesive onstage, and it just keeps getting more and more apparent how well this lineup clicks together.

The Trocadero is a perfect venue for Damned gig. It was a vaudeville and burlesque theatre in the 1870's and still has that great Victorian look inside. This was without a doubt one of the youngest crowds I've ever seen at a Damned show. It honestly looked like at least 70% of the crowd was in the late teens to early 20's range. At first I figured most of them were there for Tiger Army, but then it was soon pretty obvious they were there for The Damned. Jed was selling merchandise at a very healthy pace. Looks like the Warped Tour has gained them quite a few new fans.

Cheers,
Steve Seitz

Another...

All I can say is what a night!

The Damned opened the show with "Street of Dreams". Much to my surprise. I wasn't expecting anything from Phantasmagoria! They did an amazing set.

Tickets were only $13.00. My God did I get more for my money! The Damned performed Just Can't be Happy Today, Ignite, New Rose, Smash it Up!, Democracy, Amen, Absinthe, She (which I got dedicated to me and the Queen Mother by Sensible!) Would you be so Hot (Captain went on to point out John Lennon's other personality), Nasty, Love Song, Plan 9, Disco Man.....This is not in order... I am pretty sure they did a few more, but I was in the front and between getting smashed for a bit and me being in such a state to be seeing them live again. I can't recall. I do remember that the Captain did play "Happy Talk" for us. That was so cool of him!

I had seen them almost 10 years ago with Scabies and not the Captain. All I can say is it is great to have the Captain back and Pinch does such a fine job that I forgot all about Rat Scabies. Sorry Roland!

Captain Sensible did show us his Ars! All I can say is wow!!!

Patricia Morrison is a Gothic Goddess. Having loved her in the Sisters, it is a thrill to have her in The Damned. She can rival any man with the way she plays the bass.

Monty is a maniac on those keys......He was a total trip!

All the Damned merchandise was very reasonably priced. After having paid such a small amount to see them I got my self, a shirt, 2 patches, 2 buttons (one for my brother who turned me onto the band 20 years ago) a bumper sticker (on my car already), and another copy of Grave Disorer for the guys to sign. I had an omen that night.

The Trocadero in Philly is a great place to see a show. Drinks were reasonable and the staff was pretty cool. It was worth the extra time driving to go see them there instead of NYC.

I got the greatest thrill of my life on October 12th! Not only did I get "She" dedicated to me but we also got the whole band to sign my second copy of Grave Disorder! They even hung out and chit chatted for almost an hour.

While we were all outside talking a man hole cover was about to exploded. We were standing over a subway opening warming ourselves when we heard a boom. The man hole cover lifted a little. So we got Patricia outta there!

Captain Sensible was a sweetheart. He is so cool! I even got a hug out of him! He offered me some of his veggie platter that the club gave them. I still can't believe I ate cucumbers with THE DAMNED. All I can say is I want to kick myself in the Ass for not bringing my camera! I did get to meet a couple of other cool Damned fans. I let one girl use my pen so she had me take a pic with her and Dave and Patricia. She is gonna send me a copy so all is not lost. Thanks Lynne. I got to talk to Dave. How I kept from fainting I still couldn't tell you. This much I can say - The show was incredible. The band sounds tight. I would see them again if they come back to town. If you weren't a fan before the show....there is no way you wouldn't be one after!!!!!!
The Damned forever...........................

Pam Pica

Thanks to Steve Seitz for the photos!