The Damned’s Classic Lineup to Play Their Final Australian Shows in 2024

November 30, 2023

All four members of The Damned‘s classic lineup are reuniting their first live performances since 1989. The iconic English punk rock ensemble of Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies and Paul Gray are getting back together for the first time in 35 years to bid their fans farewell. Australia is on the touring itinerary.

The Damned will be coming down under in March 2024, headlining venues in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. They’ll be performing highlights from the seminal albums Machine Gun Etiquette, The Black Album and Strawberries, as well as the foundational punk classics ‘Neat Neat Neat’, ‘New Rose’ and more.

The Damned – ‘New Rose’

“It seemed like the right time,” drummer Rat Scabies said in a press statement. “We wanted to do this while we are all still upright, breathing and capable of doing it at a high level and challenge ourselves and each other for the fans.”

Scabies added that, “Paul’s playing great – just did the Professor and the Madmen album thing with him – as is Captain, and Dave’s singing great too. So, it’s going to be amazing to be back.”

The Damned formed in London in 1976 and were the first British punk band to tour the United States. They helped inspire the first wave of West Coast hardcore and punk, and they’ve also been credited with paving the way for goth rock.