| Damned - Grave Disorder
(Nitro Records) |
Tuesday October 16th 2001: The Damned with the
Swinging Utters play at Lee's Palace. Tickets are $23.50 from Ticketmaster. See
TG events for
listings for Toronto.
Here is their bio:
Dave Vanian: vocals
Captain Sensible: guitar
Patricia Morrison: bass
Pinch: drums
Monty Oxy Moron: keyboards
Ever fluid, The Damned swiveled into the new century with their trademark dark
vocals, poppy melodies and scintillating guitar 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 complements each other's
talents."
The new CD has been compared to the 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, Wernt) 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 epidemic 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 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
English techno. This should be a sacrilege for a band with The Damned's
old-school cred, 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 of the Beast," Vanian's tender ode
to the horror legends of a time gone by. Says Oxy 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 sort of CDs here. Do you know - I think we've gone and done
it."
Relevant tg links: clubs and events.
Posted August 22nd 2001
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