THE DAMNED-JANE DOE. 

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Sala 2 de Razzmatazz de Barcelona. 15 de noviembre del 2002. Lleno. Promotor: Il.lògic Produccions.
Por Carles Font - IndyRock
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El mítico grupo punk reunió a más de 600 espectadores en la sala barcelonesa e interpetó temas de su último trabajo así como clásicos del calibre de New Rose, Smash it up, Neat Neat Neat o Eloise.

The Damned volvió a Barcelona el pasado 15 de noviembre con su punk mezclado con elementos siniestros y góticos. En la Sala 2 del Razzmatazz se reunió un público heterogéneo aunque a las primeras filas se reunieron los últimos punkies con siniestros de última hora. El grupo británico hacía ya quince años que no sacaba un disco y con su último trabajo publicado, 'Grave Disorder' The Damned vuelven a los orígenes. 
En la banda sólo quedan dos componentes de la formación original, el cantante Dave Vanian, que parecía un 'crooner' de los años cincuenta salido de la película de Drácula de la Hammer, y el 'hooligan' Captain Sensible, que apareció con su típica boina roja, con faldas escocesas, una camiseta en la que reclamaba  que no se atacara a Irak y que no tenía siempre en la mano una lata de cerveza. El resto era la ex componente de los Sisters of Mercy la bajista Patricia Morrison, con su típica imagen siniestra y que ha engordado en los últimos años, el poseído Monty Oxy Moron al teclado y Pinch a la batería.
La mítica banda británica reunió a un gran número de aficionados en la Sala 2 del Razzmatazz, nada que ver con el anterior recinto de Barcelona en el que actuaron hace un par de años en que tuvieron que finalizar su actuación por problemas técnicos y de sonido.
Vanian y compañía interpretaron temas del último disco como Democracy o Thrill Kill,  pero no faltaron clásicos como Disco Man, Thanks for the night, Neat Neat Neat, New Rose (que venia precedida de una versión del tema surf Let's dance), I just can't be happy today, Smash it up y la versión de Eloise de Barry Ryan, excelentemente versionada. Parece que para los Damned no pasan los años y continúan siendo unos gamberretes (Captain Sensible sobretodo) y unos músicos que han ido aprendiendo con el tiempo.

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Dave Vanian:  vocals
Captain Sensible:  guitar
Patricia Morrison:  bass
Pinch:  drums
Monty Oxy Moron:  keyboards
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Bio
Ever fluid, The Damned swiveled into the new century with their trademark dark vocals, poppy melodies and scintillating sounds intact.  But, as always, they've managed to bring the best of the new into the mix-they are no dinosaurs of punk's heyday.  Without missing a beat, they've remained current, even innovative-always a little ahead of their time.  As relevant now as in 1976, The Damned continue to bring new sounds to the stage and studio.
Fans will recognize the lilting, near-anarchy of The Damned's new album, Grave Disorder (Nitro Records).  But finally, 25 years after their start, The Damned boast the ultimate lineup and are at the peak of their creativity and potential.  Grave Disorder proves beyond a doubt that Captain Sensible and Dave Vanian are one of the truly great songwriting teams of modern music.  "We dig a lot of the same things musically," says Sensible of the long-running collaboration.  "Plus, I've worked with the chap on and off for 20 years so I know what he likes by now."  Says Vanian, "We do share a common bond with melody and a good tune.we work in such a way that
compliments each other's talents."
The new CD has been compared to The Damned's best, including Machine Gun Etiquette and the Black Album, but that's pale praise.  In fact, Grave Disorder goes beyond these albums.  With the fruition of Vanian and Sensible 's talents and experience combined with Patricia Morrison's (ex-Sisters of Mercy, Gun Club, and The Bags) throaty bass sound, second-generation punk Pinch's (ex-English Dogs, Janus Stark) blistering drums, and Monty Oxy Moron 's disquieting keyboards-The Damned are at their pinnacle.  Morrison, referring to The Damned's infamous idiosyncrasies and amazing talent, quips, "It's a nightmare and a dream come true."
Grave Disorder is an epic record.  Produced brilliantly by Grammy award-winning David Bianco, each song is distinct but all work together to tell a story.  The recording streams seamlessly, right from its forceful opening, in the best Damned tradition.  "I adjourn the sitting, Grave Disorder having broken out," an outraged parliamentary voice announces, leading into the politically charged "Democracy?" ("Cause revolution changes nothing and voting changes even less.")  From there, the record spins into the information-age taunting "song.com"-pointing out a generation lost online.
As always, The Damned aren't afraid to take on ivory towers.  In the best punk rock tradition, they unabashedly mock the false icons of fallen rock gods, the shaky maneuverings of politicians on both sides of the pond and blind allegiance to religious charlatans.  "Amen" is punctuated with eclectic samplings of religious proselytizing, from church bells to hootenannies.  "Don't stand there looking sheepish, come and join the flock inside," Vanian mockingly invites.  "Although the church is an easy target," says Sensible of "Amen," "the damage is still being done and it does need to be said.  For a religious leader to condemn the use of condoms in Third
World countries battling an AIDS is madness."
"Would You Be So Hot" raises an interesting question:  Wouldn't John Lennon reject his own deification?  ("Suddenly, you are twice the man you used to be, excessive fame in quick death.  Would it a be different if he had gone instead?")  Sensible elaborates, "He wasn't perfect-far from it.  I think he would've agreed with that too and sneered."
"She," Vanian's song to wife, bass-player and Goth diva, Morrison, is sexy and affecting.  Part romantic ballad, part dominatrix ode, it provides delicious insight into what's been called the ultimate punk rock/Goth marriage.  ("She's an emissary of sin," Vanian drawls.)
"W," written by Pinch, shows a surprising influence from modern Englishtechno.  This should be a sacrilege for a band with The Damned's old-schoolcreed, but it's not.  Like always, they pull it off brilliantly-surpassing rockers and ravers alike.  Says Pinch, of his contribution to The Damned, "My musical influences are at least a decade later than the rest of the band, encompassing not only the second wave of punk rock but also the energy and excitement of the rave explosion hence my use of break beats and super groovy non-aggressive playing."
The album ends poignantly with Monty Oxy Moron's trailing piano notes finishing the haunting epilogue of "Beauty and the Beast," Vanian's tender ode to the horror legends of a time gone by.  Says Ox Moron, who effortlessly captures the mood and feel of The Damned on this song and throughout the recording, "The best music should be able to express the whole range of emotions-excitement, sadness, anger, fear, humor.  It is my hope that the keyboards on Grave Disorder add to that end."
Yes, The Damned were the first to publish a punk rock single, the first punk band to tour the States and influencers of countless other bands.  But, who cares; Grave Disorder stands on its own.  As Sensible states, "I have records at home containing no filler tracks whatsoever.  I wanted to try and do one of those sorts of CDs here.  Do you know-I think we've gone and done it."
* Promotion For The Morally Challenged *

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www.officialdamned.com 

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