The Damned are near-professionals at constantly reinventing the soul and sinner within, and vice versa, without losing a sense of self. They were arguably the first punk band from England to invade the United States, with a single (“New Rose”), album and tour circa 1976.  Their initial raw sound mutated toward Gothic psychedelia as they challenged what punk was supposed to be, before there was such a term.

“You’ve got to remember that, when we first started, the word [punk] didn’t exist,” says singer Dave Vanian (aka David Letts, no relation to Don Letts). “The bands were extremely different from each other, and they didn’t sound the same.”  Guitarist Captain Sensible’s (aka Raymond Burns) heroes from the ’70s were Tony McPhee from The Groundhogs blues band and T-Rex. “If I met David Bowie, I wouldn’t cross the room to shake his hand,” the Captain says with a mischievous smirk that matches his red beret. “I’ve got no time for David Bowie. But meeting Mark Bolan meant everything to me.” 

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