HERE IS ANOTHER CLIP FROM, "TOP OF THE POPS"
This is completely muffled and the quality is poor. But if you ever heard it rip from, "Machine Gun Ettiquette" you will know that this song is stylistically out of control. The volume is out there and there is a strong melody hidden under the thrashing drums of Rat Scabbies.
I saw these guys on their 10th anniversary in New York City at the Ritz -- the world's first rock and roll hotel -- in the late 80's and they were very powerful..... They played the entire first album in about 20 blazing minutes!
Then ten years later I caught them again in Chicago. This time the show was more controlled and the sound was very polished. They were even more powerful than they were the first time. I caught this show at Chicago's House of Blues.
The Damned fell under the shadow of the Clash even though they briefly toured together. They were obscure. But they were no less charming in their own fiendish way. They were just as brilliant.
1977 was a year that celebrated punk music. But just as it was released it was forgotten about as it was squashed by Disco's overbearing presence. 1980 was also a very confusing time as this music edged its sound into commercial releases. In America, the New Wave sound was about as close to punk as the record industry would get. With the invention of MTV punk would reach a broader audience. By 1983 the presence of punk and hardcore was available in just about everywhere imaginable. But in England... the sound had reverted to something else.. Ska, Dub, Goth and danceable pop.
The Damned then went into more changes trading as many as 20+ members in its roster. Each release was more creative and unique but hard to classify. Their sound matured and was very textural. But the classic punk sound that made them famous was forever frozen in this classic 1976 release.. DAMNED DAMNED DAMNED.
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Ted Cantu - FASCUBE -- 2006
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