The Damned bring the original line up to Glasgow and the legendary Barrowland Ballroom.
Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies and Paul Grey reunited for the first time since 1989… and for added nostalgia they brought Doctor and the Medics with them… yes, you read that right… it’s only bloomin Doctor and the Medics!
At a few minutes past 7 the roller shutters come alive to allow access to the early arrivals… some get the space front of stage; the others head for the merch stall or the bar.
The opening act are scheduled, unusually, for a 7:30 start.
The Fleshtones are given the task opening for the main support and, boy, did they do just that!
They were superb and exuded the energy of a teen band as they strutted their collective stuff on the hallowed stage.
For clarification… they most certainly are not a teenage band!
Whoever suggested putting them on the bill deserves to take a bow – they were superb.
Next up are Doctor and the Medics…
Known, almost exclusively, for their 80’s mega hit ‘Spirit in the Sky’ the band has gone through many personnel changes and played mostly cover versions since the heady days of ‘Spirit’.
Fortunately, the Doctor was talked into having another go at writing and recording his own material one last time… tonight the good people of Glasgow were the beneficiaries of that decision.
One could be forgiven that the set would’ve consisted of covers and a bit of theatrical cheese… I’m glad to report that they’d still be wiping egg from their faces today!
Doctor and the Medics smashed it with their proper rock (with a hint of pop) and the Doctor had the crowd lapping everything up with his trademark sartorial madness.
Without going overboard or blowing smoke… the Doctor and his tight band of medics owned that Barrowlands for that short period of support band time.
A quick turnaround brought us to the legend that is The Damned.
The Damned are frequently quoted as the influence behind many of the best bands around and tonight proved why.
Captain Sensible was first on stage and it was clear to everyone that sensible moniker was a misnomer… he has lost none of boyish mischief.
Johnny Cash would’ve been proud of the amount of black clothing Dave Vanian was wearing… right down to black gloves and sunglasses.
Within seconds of the opening song it was clear why Dave Gahan cites Vanian is his biggest influence; Gahan parades around the stage like a Vanian protege; mimicking him to a T!
The energy from the stage was incredible as mammoth tune after mammoth tune blasted out
The crowd surfing started early doors… maybe even from the first song and the security staff worked their socks off to haul into the security pit (much to the concern of the photographers in the pit as feet, legs and arms flailed akimbo in the vicinity of tens of thousands of pounds worth of camera equipment!)
Captain Sensible continued to play to the gallery with his impish punk attitude as the band played on and the crowd lapped it all up.
The majority of the crowd was made up of those who remembered the original line up but they still gave it their all to play their part in an extraordinary evening of punk rock tinged music.
The sight of the younger crowd members singing along to classics such as Eloise and New Rose was encouraging to see. The new torch bearers for ‘proper’ music are alive and kicking.
As The Damned make their way round the tour there is a new wave of fans telling of the time they saw The Damned at the best wee venue in the world!
The world is a better place for the presence of bands like The Damned, Doctor and the Medics and The Fleshtones… who is picking up the baton in today’s world of disposable pop?
Let’s see…
Review and Photographs by John Brown Photography
