Fangbase - Reviews

Camden Palace, London

Sunday 18th May 2003

What another wonderful gig! :o)

Strange feeling being part of a Goth Fest, as to be honest its not really my scene, but I had to say it was completely worth going and much better than I expected. (And was even worth paying to get in you miserable bastards! ;o)

Great pre gig meet up in the Worlds End. One by one the usual suspects hobbled in to continuous warm welcome (like an episode of 'Cheers') from the other Damned message boarders. Almost as many MB people as at Manchester. Great to meet you all and Finally with Georgie again - minus her voice! That's my girl!

The band before the Damned got a hard time from the Damned fans down the front, including me. When the singer asked if we'd like one more song, the man standing next to me and I started a chant of "We want the Damned"
I think he got the point when his roadies anticipated us and started shifting their equipment - ha ha. But ironically he kissed my hand as a parting shot! And the guitarist gave me his plectrum so I couldnt complain that much and stopped chanting!!!

The Damned came on quite late, but it was by no means a short set. Whoever said DV could have gone on all night was right. He was bursting with energy and was looking very athletic and tour fit from this latest tour. DV also looked the part with a very elegant Victorian Interview with a Vampire/Jack the Ripper style outfit. The top hat was amazing. Captain had a electronic T shirt like Curtain Call and some interesting big boots with bobbles, and a trendy red shirt. I thought it was a great improvement on his previous look of red beret et al from the last tour, much hipper. Patricia easily outshone anyone with her sohisticated and well deserved place as the ultimate Queen of the Goth scene with her striking outfit. It was a pleasure to see them all looking so well compared to the other bands who didnt have any such onstage precence to compare.

The set was changed from other gigs and included many Gothic songs such as Curtain call and Plan 9. But it was well balanced and had a good mixture of the old and the new. Think Wayne and Georgie swiped some set lists.
But I do remember She, Amen, Curtain call, Eloise, Plan 9, Hisory of the World, Neat Neat Neat (Break on through), Street of Dreams, Wait for the Blackout (Dedicated to Jed!) and Looking at You!

Very Lively down the front, and a great venue. Good to see the MB people fighting their way to the front, and was great fun to have a Mosh with Pip and Tef down the front!

Highlights:

- Curtain Call
- Got to sing into the mike of the 'whoa whoa' bits of Street of Dreams (but just giggled)
- DV kissed my hand!
- DV's stage slide and twist into a bit of a dance.
- Pinch's drum destruction at the end.
- Patricia introducing Looking at You

- Captain's jokes

All the MB people spoke to the band after the gig outside by the bus. To get things signed, pictures and general chit chat. DV has to be not only the best looking man in the world, but also the nicest. A really lovely guy. It makes you burst with pride having such a cool and nice frontman for your favourite band. Have to agree to him being knighted!

Without wanting to sound like Darius, all the message board people are really fun sweet people. Its always so great to meet up with them all, and have a joke. Why else would we all share taxi's at 2.30 in the morning! ha
ha. Roll on the next tour!

Nitegirrl69

Another...

If I'd a walked out and got hit by a London bus, I'd a died happy after this gig!!!!!

Twas a fantastic night!! The best gig out of the 6 in a row I did in a week. Bliston comes a very close 2nd !!

Absinthe
Blackout
Just can't be happy
Amen
13th Floor
Plan 9
Ignite
Song.com
Street of Dreams
So Hot
She
Curtain Call
Neat Neat Neat

Encore:

History of the World
Eloise
Smash it up

As it's been said, The Damned just get better and better, I really don't know how they do it every night..especially DV, I've got golf balls in my throat instead of glands from all the singing along this week!!! They all have so much energy and looked like they were really enjoying the gig :o)

DV was wonderful with the audience, shaking hands, leaning over into the crowd to let people sing into the mike ect.

It was wonderful to meet so many message boarders. Huge Thanks to Woody and Vicky for putting up with me all week xxx and to Miche and Andy xxx Pippi and Tef (thanks for the cup Pip :o) ) This has been the most fantastic week of my life and you are all A++++++++++++++

A very, very exhausted but happy M.o.D (goes back to bed zzzzzz)

Mistress Of Disorder

Very top photo: Thanks to Mistress of Disorder!
Other photos: Thanks to Steve Final!