The Damned brought the Australian leg of their 50th anniversary tour to a close at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre last night, with The New Christs and The Darts joining them for the night.
Whether it ultimately proves to be The Damned’s final Australian appearance remains to be seen. For now, the Melbourne show offered a chance for several generations of punk and goth fans to see a band whose history stretches back to the first wave of UK punk.
The Darts opened the night with their mix of garage and psych rock. The US four-piece had already sold through their merchandise, but came up with an appropriately DIY solution: announcing they would head upstairs after their set to make and sign their own shirts using supplies picked up locally.
The New Christs followed, led by Rob Younger. The Australian group brought another important piece of punk history to the bill, with Younger having also co-founded Radio Birdman in 1974.
Then it was time for The Damned.
The Damned gallery
Throwing back to 1985
Taking the stage in front of their familiar logo and a changing backdrop of imagery, the band opened with ‘Street of Dreams’ from 1985’s Phantasmagoria.
Dave Vanian arrived in dark sunglasses, three piece suit and fedora, singing into a vintage style microphone, while Captain Sensible was immediately recognisable beneath his red beret.
The set moved through different periods of The Damned’s catalogue, including ‘The History of the World (Part 1)’, ‘Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde’, ‘Eloise’ and ‘Nasty’.
Rat Scabies drove the set from behind the kit, with Paul Gray on bass and Monty Oxymoron’s keyboards adding another layer to songs that have moved between punk, goth and rock across the band’s five decade history.
The night eventually came to an appropriate conclusion with ‘Smash It Up’ Parts 1 and 2.
The Damned formed in 1976 and entered their 50th anniversary year with Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies, Paul Gray and Monty Oxymoron in the touring line-up.
If this does turn out to be their final Australian run, Melbourne gave them a fitting place to finish it.
Check out Alexander Hallag’s photos full gallery above and below.
The New Christs gallery
The Darts gallery
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