The Damned 2026 at E-Werk in Cologne, Germany

Formed in London in 1976, The Damned are widely recognized as one of the most important and influential bands to emerge from the original British punk movement.

Their place in music history is secured by a remarkable trio of firsts: they released the first British punk single, *New Rose*, the first British punk studio album, *Damned Damned Damned*, and became the first British punk band to tour the United States.

The original lineup consisted of four iconic figures: vocalist Dave Vanian, whose deep baritone voice and vampire-inspired image would later become a blueprint for gothic rock aesthetics; Captain Sensible, the band’s eccentric and endlessly inventive multi-instrumentalist; Rat Scabies, whose explosive drumming helped define the group’s early sound; and guitarist and principal songwriter Brian James, who passed away in March 2025.

Unlike many of their contemporaries who flared brightly and disappeared, The Damned continually reinvented themselves. Their debut era delivered raw, aggressive punk that helped define the genre, while later releases such as *Machine Gun Etiquette* expanded their musical horizons and produced enduring fan favorites including “Neat Neat Neat,” “Love Song,” and “Smash It Up.” By the early 1980s, the band had begun exploring darker and more atmospheric territory, helping lay the foundations of gothic rock. Albums such as *The Black Album* and *Phantasmagoria* showcased this evolution, while their dramatic interpretation of Barry Ryan’s “Eloise” brought them significant chart success.

Most recently, The Damned released *Not Like Everybody Else* in January 2026, a heartfelt covers album dedicated to the memory of Brian James. The album also marked the return of Rat Scabies to the recording studio with the band for the first time in four decades.

Today, The Damned feature three original members—Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, and Rat Scabies—alongside longtime bassist Paul Gray and keyboardist Monty Oxymoron.

At E-Werk in Cologne, The Damned took the stage at 7:15 p.m. and delivered a tightly packed one-hour set. Their stage presence was commanding throughout, backed by arguably the best lighting production of the evening. Visually, the performance was outstanding, creating an atmosphere that perfectly complemented the band’s dark and theatrical character. The only noticeable issue was the vocal mix, with Dave Vanian’s voice occasionally struggling to cut through the wall of instruments. Aside from that, the performance was excellent, and the band played to what was essentially a full house, proving that nearly fifty years after their formation, The Damned remain a compelling live act.

Setlist:

Love Song

Machine Gun Etiquette

Stranger on the Town

Fan Club

Ignite

Generals

Disco Man

New Rose

Neat Neat Neat

Smash It Up (Part 1)

Smash It Up (Part 2)