The Damned in Falmouth

Captain Sensible is mature beyond his years (in a reverse direction of course) Photo : Official Damned website

The Damned played in Falmouth at the Princess Pavilions last night and were like a tin of Ronseal - they did exactly what is said on the label. The Princess Pavilions is an old theatre that is growing older disgracefully but has recently been done up - a contradiction in terms but it seemed to welcome such outrageousness from these punk pioneers. The Damned have always had a strong image and Dave Vanian the gothfather looked very much at home.

He can sing, too. I reckon Dave's got one of the best voices in rock today and he still delivers.

During the set, the drummer, Pinch, was watching some overpaid prima donna's kicking a pig's bladder about and kept updating some of the audience who might have been interested in the score but this didn't detract at all from the show and added to the humour and intimacy. Apparently, the desired outcome was achieved and the footballers went home pleased but the real punks were happiest of all.

The Damned looked like they were having a ball and the audience responded in kind. The age profile ranged hugely from little tackers in tee shirts to surprisingly wizened rockers in leathers. There was also an small contingent of the Red Berets, Captain Sensible's own personal army - definitely not a peace keeping force. And there was a steampunk girl in a red top hat. Lovely.

Whisper it - Captain Sensible is actually a very good guitarist and the band are highly proficient in a musical sense. It's just our little secret, okay?

I shouted for them to do Melody Lee but I don't think they heard me. This is one of my all time favourites and shows off Roland Oxymoron's keyboard skills to good effect. It's also one of their most psychadelic songs and works brilliantly live when the rest of the band come in, some might say violently so. Maybe next time chaps?

The Dancing Dead - note no bass. Still a great sound though. (Photo : The Dancing Dead Facebook page)

The support act were The Dancing Dead from Dartington College of Arts. They did a cracking version of Generation X's Rebel yell and were very well received - always a tricky act to do but these guys managed it. I think this lot will be one to watch out for - listen to their track Ghetto Scissors here if you don't believe me. They like llamas, too, which can only be a good thing. The only trouble is there's another band called Dancing Dead (without the The) so tracking down whichever one you're into on the net is tricky.

I wasn't the only who enjoyed this show - checkout Leanne's review here.