Founded in May 1976 THE DAMNED arrived at a pivotal point in the genesis of Punk. The band's original line up comprised over vocalist and former undertaker Dave Vanian (real name Dave Letts), ex-BASTARD guitarist Brian James (real name Brian Robertson), former ELITE and GENETIC BREAKDOWN bassist Captain Sensible (real name Raymond Ian Burns). Drums were handled by former TARTAN HORDE man drummer Rat Scabies (real name Chris Miller).

Vanian's pre DAMNED career included terms in the delightfully names THE MASTERS OF THE BACKSIDE (with a pre PRETENDERS Chrissie Hynde). Both James and Scabies had also been members of LONDON SS alongside Mick Jones of THE CLASH. Scabies had also been involved with VICIOUS WHITE KID, a 'band' that also numbered SEX PISTOLS men Sid Vicious and Glen Matlock.

With the media focus placed firmly on the Punk sensation THE DAMNED bowed in with the 'New Rose' single. Backed with an acerbic version of THE BEATLES 'Help!' it soon became ingrained into the collective youth conscience as did its follow up 'Neat Neat Neat'.

The band's debut 'Damned, Damned, Damned' arrived in February of 1977. Embarrassingly for their label Stiff Records the first pressings quite incredibly featured not a photograph of THE DAMNED on the rear sleeve but EDDIE & THE HOT RODS! Following the debut the group pulled in second guitarist Lu Edwards. The band nearly blew it with their second album. 'Music For Pleasure', produced by PINK FLOYD drummer Nick Mason, which was roundly castigated by fans and media alike, subsequently failing to chart.

In December of 1977 Scabies walked and was supplanted by erstwhile JOHNNY MOPED man Dave Berk. He in turn was superseded by John Moss, previously a member of THE CLASH. Mysteriously Vanian disappeared from the picture with claims that he was in fact deceased. Auditions were held for the vacant position with Peter Murphy of BAUHAUS being one of the contenders. Gary Holton, formerly of the HEAVY METAL KIDS plugged the gap for a short period before the band folded in November of 1978.

Vanian created DOCTORS OF MADNESS. Edmunds and Moss stuck together to forge THE EDGE whilst Sensible founded the SOFTIES and later KING. Holton would come to national acclaim in the TV comedy series 'Auf Wiedersehn Pet' in the 80's playing the part of Cockney bricklayer Wayne before sadly succumbing to a drug overdose.

Post THE EDGE Moss enjoyed a term with ADAM & THE ANTS before attaining international acclaim with CULTURE CLUB. Edmunds travels would find the guitarist playing roles in ATHLETICO SPIZZ 80, THE MEKONS, SHRIEKBACK and PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED.

James created TANZ DER YOUTH for one single prior to assembling THE HELLIONS and LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH.

By the close of 1978 THE DAMNED were back in action with a new look line up Vanian, Sensible (shifting to guitar) and Scabies with bassist Henry Badowski of CHELSEA. Lemmy of MOTÖRHEAD had actually temped for one gig were the band was billed as THE DOOMED.

Badowski opted out in early 1979 and ex SAINTS bassist Alistair 'Algy' Ward filled the gap. THE DAMNED scored their first bona fide chart hit single with 'Love Song' swiftly followed by a further hit with the anarchic anthem 'Smash It Up'.

After the 'Machine Gun Etiquette' album of November 1979, widely regarded as being THE DAMNED's finest work, Ward departed to create the Heavy Metal trio TANK for a successful spree before founding ATOMGOD. Ward was also involved with VERA CRUZ and WARHEAD, the latter band including Evo of WARFARE and MOTÖRHEAD guitarist WÜRZEL. Former EDDIE & THE HOT RODS man Paul Gray took THE DAMNED's four string position.

During 1980 THE DAMNED went into the studio with arch noise mongers MOTÖRHEAD to create MOTÖRDAMN. This project cut two tracks in a version of the SWEET's 'Ballroom Blitz' and MOTÖRHEAD's 'Over The Top'. A projected single, THE DAMNED's take on JEFFERSON AIRPLANE's Psychedelic 60's classic 'White Rabbit', was cut but shelved prior to release. That same year, under his real name of Ray Burns, Sensible joined INNER CITY UNIT, the HAWKWIND offshoot band created by Nik Turner. Sensible joined the ranks of a band that included veteran comedian Max Wall!

Following the 'Strawberries' album the band cut recordings for another projected single 'Fun Factory' working with KING CRIMSON guitarist Robert Fripp. This single would finally see a release in 1990 on Sensible's own label.

1984 had CAPTAIN SENSIBLE embarking on a solo career and Gray joining esteemed Hard Rock act UFO. Following his short stint with UFO Gray formed a new act titled SING SING with ex MEMBERS guitarist Nigel Bennett and former EDDIE & THE HOTRODS drumming colleague Steve Nichol. Gray also briefly joined Swedish Metal band HEAVY LOAD in 1987. The bassist would later work on the live circuit with ex MOTÖRHEAD guitarist 'Fast' Eddie Clark's act FASTWAY.

Other Hard Rock luminaries of the highest order were in the picture too as Scabies joined former LED ZEPPELIN guitar legend JIMMY PAGE and ex FREE and BAD COMPANY vocalist PAUL RODGERS for a new act titled THE FIRM. Scabies tenure was short. He was supplanted by YES and KING CRIMSON man Bill Bruford then finally Chris Slade of URIAH HEEP.

THE DAMNED persevered enlisting guitarist Roman Jugg and bassist Bryn 'Gunn' Merrick. Both had been members of VICTIMIZE, RED ALERT and THE REJECTS. Jugg had actually been contributing keyboards for the band since 1981 but shifted over to guitar after Sensible's departure and becoming a full time member in the process. The first results of this union being the March 1985 single 'Grimly Fiendish'. In spite of the line up ructions THE DAMNED were still a force to be reckoned with as the 'Phantasmagoria' album gave them their biggest chart hit to date reaching number 11 in the UK.

THE DAMNED would reach their chart peak with the 1986 single 'Eloise', a cover of the ancient BARRY RYAN hit, climbing to number 3. A further melancholy cover version of LOVE's 'Alone Again Or' attained number 27 the following year but by the late 80's THE DAMNED had fizzled out. Numerous attempts at reforming past glories would ensue with James being involved in no less than three abortive attempts in 1988 and 1989.

1991 found the band back into gear and touring Japan and rounding off the year with a British tour in December alongside THE RAMONES. The band was conspicuous by its absence the following year only managing one gig at London's Town & Country club.

The 1993 version of THE DAMNED saw Vanian and Scabies joined by former 69 DAZE and GODFATHERS guitarist Kris Dollimore, ex MANIACS, THE RINGS and BRAINS guitarist Allen Lee Shaw and NEW MODEL ARMY bass player Moose for the album 'Not Of This Earth'. In a burst of activity THE DAMNED toured the UK as headliners in late 1993 taking their schedule into the following year with Japanese and European shows. The 'Not Of This Earth' album finally got a release in Japan in November.

Ward, who had in the interim post TANK been a member of London Jazz Rock act NETWORK and recording the NECROPOLIS Black Metal album in 1993, rejoined in 1995 but would leave again the following year to re-activate TANK. January of 1995 saw Lee Shaws last gig with the band at the London Powerhaus.

The 1995 version of the band saw Sensible and Gray returning, with Sensible's side band PUNK FLOYD band members Monty The Moron on keyboards and Garrie Dreadful on drums. Monty had been involved with DR. SPACETOAD EXPERIENCE. Dreadful (real name Garrie Priest) was billed for his inaugural January 1996 gig as 'Cats Babies'!

Things got confusing in 1996 for THE DAMNED fans as ex drummer Rat Scabies, who had bought the rights to the early albums, slapped an injunction on the remaining members. A British tour, with Paul Gray back on board, originally billed as THE DAMNED was hastily reaccredited to DAVE VANIAN, CAPTAIN SENSIBLE, PAUL GRAY and ex-members of THE DAMNED.

Gray was hit by a bottle during one of these shows and threw in the towel. Early August saw the induction of former GUN CLUB, FUR BIBLE and THE SISTERS OF MERCY bass player Patricia Morrison into the ranks as 'Not Of This Earth' finally witnessed a European release under the revised if slightly odd title 'I'm Alright Jack And The Beanstalk'. Vanian put the seal on Morrison's induction into the band by marrying his bass player in Las Vegas.

1997 kicked off with the 'Testify' remix album before THE DAMNED's first ever tour of Australia. Returning to Britain THE DAMNED performed at the September Whitby 'Dracfest'. Further British shows were blighted when all of the band's gear was stolen in Birmingham. In the spring of 1998 THE DAMNED undertook their longest ever string of shows in America putting in a continuous run of 44 gigs. Dreadful performed his final show with the band in December at the London Forum. The new man on the drum kit by March of 1999 was Spike Smith, an ex ICE MUMMIES man.

1999 ex THE DAMNED members Alan Lee Shaw and Paul Gray created MISCHIEF with former HOOKERS, MAGNUM, UFO and BUDGIE drummer Jim Simpson.

For a lengthy 2000 tour THE DAMNED numbered Vanian, Sensible, Morrison and Moron were joined by former JANUS STARK and ENGLISH DOGS drummer Pinch (real name Andrew Pincher).

Brian James contributed to THE RACKATEERS in 2000, the band forged by ex GUNS N' ROSES bassist DUFF McKAGAN, Stewart Copeland of THE POLICE and MC5's Wayne Kramer. In March of 2001 a split single through the Fandango label witnessed anarchic Swedish Rock n' Rollers THE HELLACOPTERS covering 'Stab Your Back' with ADAM WEST making up the flip side with his rendition of 'Neat, Neat, Neat'.

THE DAMNED would be set to tour America as part of a high profile support to ROB ZOMBIE during March of 2002. These shows would be without Patricia Morrison though, the bassist dealing with a family illness. Morrison's position was filled for these dates by CADILLAC TRAMPS and MANIC HISPANIC man Warren Renfrow. However, within a few shows THE DAMNED had pulled themselves from the tour, reportedly disappointed at the lukewarm crowd reaction.

Vanian aligned himself with a Rock n' Roll institution on 14th March 2003 when he stepped up onstage at an MC5 reformation gig at London's 100 Club to take guest lead vocals alongside other high profile stars. THE DAMNED announced US touring plans for 2003, participating in THE MISFITS led 'Misfits Fiend Fest' dates in June alongside AGNOSTIC FRONT, THE DICKIES, BALZAC and D.I. Later that same year it would be learned THE DAMNED had cut a new version of their hit 'Neat Neat Neat' with MOTÖRHEAD's infamous frontman LEMMY on bass guitar for inclusion on his debut solo record.