From
the first time I saw the Damned 30 years ago in the back room of a sweaty pub
in Southend to a couple of weeks ago in Dartford they have always been sublime.
You just end up with a wide smile on your face and a feeling of utter joy.
Mind
you, I’ve never seen them in a school gym before! Nevertheless, they were
as brilliant as ever and the current band is without doubt the most musically
proficient line-up of their career.
It
was good to see both Dave and the Cap groovin’ along to the support band
and giving them their support. Monty, Pinch and Stu all played their hearts out
and Dave was as brilliant (and enigmatic) as ever but if I’ve got one small
criticism it’s that the Captain’s guitar was mixed just a little bit
too low. I wasn’t alone in thinking this because a lot of us were calling
out ‘turn the guitar up’ but sadly the soundman just smiled and shook
his head.
The
sound balance was otherwise excellent but it would have been nice to have heard
the Captain’s efforts just a little bit louder – he is, after all, probably
the best guitarist of his generation. (No! - forget the ‘probably’).
A
fortnight later I’ve still got an ear to ear smile plastered across my face
at the memory of that evening in a school gym in Dartford .
It
was great of the band to come down to Kent again but this was only the fourth
time in 10 years – we need to see them more often – come again soon!
Jer
