Fangbase - Reviews

Witchwood - Ashton-Under-Lyne

5th December 2000

The Witchwood - the very name sounds ideal for The Damned, doesn't it? And the band obviously enjoy this cosy and friendly venue, with this two-nighter following a date there on their previous tour, and the Captain also packed out the place a couple of years back with his Punk Floyd mob!

After a lengthy wait for The Damned to actually get on stage, with roadies wandering on and off for what seemed like hours, their arrival was finally heralded by an awesome blast of the Banana Splits theme - top tune!

The fantastic five hit the stage at about 9.40pm, and the Captain immediately embarked on some good-humoured banter, asking the crowd "So is this Manchester or not?" The roared response of "No!• proved that they are proud of their own identity in Ashton-under-Lyne!

And then Pinch started battering his kit, Captain played the legendary opening to New Rose, and another magnificent night was under way.

The Damned have always been brilliant - sometimes shambolic (Whitby Dracfest, anyone?), but never less than thoroughly entertaining. These days, though, they are musically tighter than ever and the buzz of creating new material again has given them a lease of life which they are clearly enjoying.

Wait For The Blackout and Disco Man were quickly belted out, followed by Democracy, the first new song aired tonight. If this is the standard of the new album, we are in for such a treat in 2001.

I Just Can't Be Happy Today (the keyboard break STILL sends a shiver down my spine) gives Monty and Patricia the chance to shine, and then it's Song.com, the pick of the new songs and one which, given any kind of promotion, would surely be a smash hit single.

Mr Vanian - who seems to have found the key to eternal youth, as sought by Dr Anton Phibes - was obviously enjoying the evening's atmosphere, which was pumped up whilst thankfully remaining free of beer-throwing idiots, and his banter with the crowd was the sharpest and most relaxed I have heard in the 18 years I have been following this wonderful bunch.

Shadow of Love was followed by a rousing rendition of Nasty, then it was Looking At You, Plan 9 Channel 7 (perhaps my favourite Damned song) and She.

Maybe the highlight of this tour is the rare outing for 13th Floor Vendetta (we're back with Dr Phibes again!), and the loud cheers which hailed this classic song showed that the audience doesn't need to be force-fed with 100 mph stuff all the time.

Neat Neat Neat ended the set, then it was a five-song encore of Absinthe, Love Song, Eloise (brilliantly performed), Thrill Kill and Smash It Up.

The only trouble with The Damned is that they have so many great songs, you are bound to be disappointed when some aren't played. I mean, they play a set this great without even touching Melody Lee, History of the World Pt 1, Noise Noise Noise, Rabid, I Fall, Ignite, Bad Time For Bonzo, Grimly Fiendish, Lively Arts, Gun Fury, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and so many more.

My ambition of hearing them play These Hands live still remains sadly unfilled, but I can't complain. This was another great gig by the most entertaining band I have ever seen. God bless em - they make it all worthwhile.