Album of the week : The Damned - Damned Damned Damned

Well damn… Brian James, RIP. I don’t really like writing memorials, yet here we are losing musical heroes on what seems like a daily basis. Just in the past 24 hours we’ve lost the great Roy Ayers, and now Brian James - the fire breathing, paint peeling guitarist of the Damned. First of the UK OG punk rockers to release a single (‘New Rose’, 1976) and album (this very platter, in early 1977). If I were forced to compile a list of my 20 favorite rock albums of all time, you’re damned right this one would be included.

Need to explain punk rock to someone who doesn’t understand? ‘New Rose’, ‘I Fall’, ‘Neat Neat Neat’ are the textbook definition, and they’re all here. Brian James rhythm riffing here is the link between James Williamson and Greg Ginn. Plus, he was able to peel off lightning fast solos. (Also see his excellent post-Damned single ‘Ain’t That A Shame’ which slows the tempos but still slays).

This album contains some of the most glorious, non stop racket ever committed to vinyl. Brian James, Rat Scabies (drums), and Captain Sensible (bass) were scarily proficient instrumentally, and used their wicked chops to propel music in to the future. Undoubtedly influenced by the adrenaline and cannabis blasts of fury from the Detroit proto-punks (Stooges and MC5), The Damned took the blueprint and added good old British amphetamine snarl- the recipe for a sound that changed the world.

This album is perfection; the songs are catchy, and Dave Vanian’s vocals are melodic, eccentric, and charming. This album can melts faces and make us laugh hysterically. I’ll never get enough of it.