October 23, 2011
Cheeseburger Saturday Night will not be seen tonight, due to the special Saturday Concert Blog already in progress.
I was really into punk rock in the late ‘70’s, early ‘80’s and one of favorite punk bands was The Damned. They were the first English punk band to have a single, New Rose and their debut album, Damned Damned Damned is a classic punk rock album. Well, they’ve reformed (vocalist, Dave Vanian and bassist/guitarist Captain Sensible remain from the original lineup along with, Monty Oxy Moron on keyboards,, Stu West on bass and Pinch on drums) and are currently on a 35th anniversary tour (Yikes, I feel old!) and they’re playing at Irving Plaza tonight. My friend and co-worker Brian told me about it at work and then said he had an extra ticket and would I like it? Three words says it all: Neat, neat, neat!
Here we are at Irving Plaza.
The Damned!
Inside I ran into my friend Eric, his brother Scott and there's Brian on the right, the man responsible for getting me in the door.
It's starting to fill up. The show is completely sold out tonight. Nice to know there's still a lot of Damned fans out there.
I've always loved concert t-shirts and thought I'd take a photo of some of them in the crowd. Here's the Cramps.
Electric Frankenstein. Never heard of them, I'll have to check out YouTube later and see if I can find them.
Here's a t-shirt from the Iggy and the Stooges reunion tour a few years back.
Cool Misfits shirt.
And you can't be at a punk rock show in New York and not run into a Ramones t-shirt.
Here's a shot from the upstairs balcony, lots of people here tonight.
And here they are: The Damned. They kicked the concert off with my favorite Damned song, "Neat, Neat, Neat."
I need to get closer to get some better shots of the band.
Holy fuckballs, it's packed down here. My claustrophobia is kicking in big time.
The closest I got was the back of this guy's head.
I retreated to the bar and took some shots from the video screen on the wall. Lead vocalist, Dave Vanian.
Captain Sensible looks exactly like he did back in 1976!
Here's drummer Pinch.
Monty Oxy Moron on keyboards was a madman! A real showman and bundle of energy.
It was a great show! Thanks again to Brian for getting me the ticket! See you tomorrow after dark.
Further reading: Wikipedia, All Music and last.fm.
I'll be the rubbish, you'll be the bin,
I'll be the paint on the sign if you'll be the tin.
(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)
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Bonus Photos by Jaws!
After my post on Just Bulbs a while back, MAD commenter and author, Jaws the Cabbie sent away for some bulbs. They arrived and he sent in this photo. Very nice, thanks for the update and photos, Jaws!
What can you get at Just Bulbs?
Just bulbs.
18 Comments
Reader Comments (18)
It's been a really good, diverse week 'After Dark'.
The Damned remain one of my favorites as well.
(it's been a number of years since I've seen them live)
Glad you got to go and the video screen shots were pretty decent.
We survived yet another 'Rapture' (10/21)
I'm just glad this last one was more low key then last May's 'Rapturepalooza'.
As you were soldier.
DAMN(ed)! My East Village pal was at that show too! One day I'll find a way for you to meet. Looks like you had a great night, despite the crowds. TO BRIAN!
P.S. Nice bulbs.
I've never heard of them, but looks like you had a fun night out. Love all the shirts.
The Damned, high energy punk rock and Neat Neat Neat is fast. Lead singer Dave is a show,
@"Boris:" Thanks, Daddio! Yeah, I agree on the Rapture That Cried Wolf! If you get a chance to see the Damned you should, they still put on a great show!
@Biff: Shit, that's too times at the Irving Plaza that your friend and I haven't crossed paths. Maybe on your next trip we can all hang out.
@kari: The Damned haven't been on the radar for awhile, so I was shocked that it was sold out. It was a great diverse crowd of all ages.
@Al: "Neat Neat Neat" is one of my favorite punk rock songs and it was cool it was the opener for the show.
Damned good post today Marty. Couldn't resist getting those 19th century bulbs, they look like electronic sculpture to me.
The Damned go Hollywood in Illinois!
Refrence
@Jaws: The bulb photos are great, thanks for sending them in!
@csp: Ha ha ha! Nice find!
Cool night. I love the tee shirts!!!
Oh snap! Totally-Super-Awesome, Marty!!
@Melanie: I always love gazing at all the shirts at a rock 'n' roll show!
@Meleah: Thanks, it was a fun night!
raise one to brian (or two or three)...was not into the punk thing sorta thought copy cat "rude boys" and then thought rappers were nothing but wanna be i-roy and u-roy...that said looked like a good time...
meleah must be using chorme...i seem to see "Oh snap" quite often...
Earlier lives drift by on silver soles, and the shadows of the damned descend into these sighing waters.
~Georg Trakl
rr
@rr: I read your quote attribution as George Takei at first.
@rr: Let's raise at least four to Brian who got me and my friends in the door! Great quote, as always!
WoooooHoooooo
Gidget loves Dave Vanian...
nuff said...
i played a little birthday set for him last week for his BD.. he turned 55.. pretty hot for an old dude...
I personally think later year damned(the goth era) on vinyl would be the best sex music ever...
anything and phantasmagia..
oooh getting tingles thinking about it..
i just get tingles thinking about Dave though..
his soundtrack for the movie "the perfect sleep" was amazing!
He can do no wrong in my eyes..
i'd even deal with my claustrophobia to get by the stage!
I have seen him a bunch of times live and he is just the best..
ok
marty
thank you for this:)
gonna go put on "strawberrys" now and chill...
Wow, what an awesome crowd. Woulda loved to have been there.
And Marty, re: "Yikes I feel old" - you are only old when you stop enjoying the things you've always liked. When you're in a random bar, and out of nowhere "She's the One" by the Ramones comes on, the day it doesn't make you feel good is the day you are old.
That awesome crowd at a Damned show in 2011 is one more piece of evidence to that effect.
@Gidget: Glad you enjoyed the post! It was good to see the Damned still put on a great show. It was cool the place was sold out for the show.
@JAZ: Words of wisdom, my friend, thanks!