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  • Castration Squad

    Location: Los Angeles

    Early Los Angeles punk band, with members like Alice Bag (The Bags), Dinah Cancer (45 Grave), Phranc (Nervous Gender), Shannon Wilhelm, Tracy Lea (of Redd Kross and appeared in  Desperate Teenage Lovedolls), Elissa Bello (Go-Go’s) and Tiffany Kennedy (Cambridge Apostles). They never had any official releases but appeared on New Wave Theatre television show.

    Related: The Bags, 45 Grave, Nervous Gender, Red Kross, Cambridge Apostles, Alice Bag, Phranc, Dinah Cancer, Los Angeles, New Wave Theatre

    This profile is in development. Contributions?

  • TSOL

    Location: Long Beach, California
    Active: 1978-current

    In the early 80s California punk scene, alongside the Hollywood and Los Angeles proper bands, the outlying areas like Orange County and Long Beach developed similar, yet at the same time brilliantly different scenes. In Orange County, T.S.O.L. (an acronym for True Sounds Of Liberty) formed in the city of Huntington Beach during 1978. Many of the OC bands (Adolescents, Agent Orange, D.I., Middle Class) were faster, harder and had something of a weirder streak – perhaps a penchant for narrative that was lacking from many of the more traditional LA bands. None more weird than TSOL, their singer Jack Grisham was a west coast nod to Dave Vanian of The Damned, with his gothic dress code, and their songs conjuring up such subjects as horror movie chic, film noir and… necrophilia.

    Their self-titled 1981 EP presented a political focus, but with the release of their LP later that year, ‘Dance With Me’, their horror punk/deathrock influences were in the forefront – gothic typography with a graveyard scene on the cover, and more than half of the track listing dedicated to death, darkness and and a ghoulish, high-camp creep factor including the infamous “Code Blue”, giving necrophiliacs the world over a catchy anthem. This was followed by the 1982 ‘Weathered Statues’ EP, which continued their more goth-punk direction. Later that year saw the ‘Beneath The Shadows’ LP, with the addition of a permanent keyboard player, taking their sound in a more artistic direction with synthesizer driven punk rock, without altogether losing their darker themes. It was this lineup that appeared in the 1983 Penelopee Spheeris punk drama ‘Suburbia’, playing “Wash Away” from the ‘Beneath The Shadows’ album, and ‘Darker My Love’ (recorded at the same time as the album, but was not released until 2014).

    Prior to their first album, Grisham and Barnes disbanded the first incarnation of TSOL to form Vicious Circle, only to reunite in 1979. By 1983 Jack Grisham, Todd Barnes again left, as well as keyboard player Greg Kuehn, but instead of this being the end of the band, Joe Wood (Der Stab) stepped in on vocals and ‘Change Today’ was released in 1984 on Enigma Records – maintaining the dark romantic punk direction. At this point, Roche and Emory were the only original members remaining. However they too would eventually depart the band, leaving none of the original lineup. This incarnation of TSOL took a drastic detour into the then-popular hard rock / metal direction. 

    Meanwhile, Grisham moved on to form a succession of projects – Cathedral of Tears, Tender Fury and joined by Emory with Joykiller. Interestingly enough, one of the other projects Grisham formed with Barnes, Roche and Emory was a duplicate TSOL (also under the name LOST), which existed concurrently with the previous TSOL that had shed all relation to it’s original lineup. Needless to say, legal battles ensued, and eventually by 1999, Jack Grisham obtained the rights to the name, resulting in a reformation of the original lineup, and despite the untimely death of Todd Barnes in 1999, the excellent ‘Disappear’ album in 2001. As of 2020, TSOL remains active with Grisham, Emory and Roche still in the lineup.

    Related: Vicious Circle, Der Stab, Cathedral of Tears, Tender Fury, Joykiller, LOST

    Links:

    Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/artist/255060-TSOL
    Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.S.O.L.
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsol_official/
    Bandcamp: https://tsol.bandcamp.com/

    This profile is in development. Contributions?

  • Screaming Dead

    Location: Cheltenham, UK
    Active: 1980-1985, 1997-1999, 2014-present

    Formed in Cheltenham UK in 1980, Screaming Dead were a punk band that took aspects of camp horror movies for their name and songs, as well as their graphic design. Before terms like goth or deathrock were being tossed around as genres in the UK, ‘horror punk’ was an apt description, though their inclusion in any gothic rock collection by todays standards would be essential for variety and originality. Their first demo circulated as a tape before they were picked up by No Future records for their next two singles ‘Night Creatures’ and ‘Paint It Black’, with their following releases ‘Danse Macabre Collection’ and ‘Dream Of Yesterday’ on their own imprint label, Angel Records, before disbanding in 1985. 

    Guitarist Tony McCormack went on in 1989 to form gothic rock/pagan band Inkubus Sukkubus. The 1993 CD release of ‘Bring Out Yer Dead’ is the best compilation of the bands original material. However, in 1997 McCormack reformed a version of Screaming Dead, this time with a female vocalist, re-recording the bands early material on the ‘Death Rides Out’ album, which unfortunately often gets mistaken as the original material to those just discovering the band now. This incarnation lasted until 1999, and not much was heard again until 2014 when the other members, this time without McCormack reformed for another stab at it, releasing ‘The Resurrection EP’ in 2016 and touring the eastern USA in 2018.

    Links: 

    Discogs.com: https://www.discogs.com/artist/263703-Screaming-Dead
    Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screaming_Dead

    Related: The Waste, Inkubus Sukkubus

    This profile is in development. Contributions?

  • Rudimentary Peni

    Location: London, UK (Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire)
    Active: 1980-present

    Rudimentary Peni began in the UK (north of London) in 1980. Prior to that vocalist/guitarist Nick Blinko and drummer Jon Greville were The Magits. Joined by Grant Matthews, Rudimentary Peni released their first self-titled EP in 1981, followed by the Farce EP in 1982 which began their relationship with Crass Records and it’s Corpus Christi imprint (UK Decay).

    Combined with their sometimes morbid themes, the artwork of Blinko was their dominant visual characteristic and earned them a reputation as dark and twisted. One look at the deluxe gatefold sleeve for their ‘Death Church’ LP should be enough to convince the non-believer! Though their association with anarcho-punk bands through the Crass label wasn’t unwarranted due to the social-political context of some half of their songs, Rudimentary Peni were deemed too weird for that clientele. They were often shunned by anarcho punks, but loved by generations of deathrockers to come.

    After a hiatus due to Matthews’ cancer diagnosis, and Blinko’s stint in a mental institution, Rudimentary Peni returned with Cacophony in 1988, exploring the themes of Lovecraftian horror, which at the time was an oddity, and reaffirmed their interest in things weird and surreal. Since then, their output has continued on the slow but steady track with an album every half decade or so. Notoriously reticent to appear live or be photographed, the surreal artwork of Nick Blinko is the primary representation of the band outside the music. 

    In addition to his work for the band, Blinko’s illustrations have also earned him a name in the outsider art category. His work was used on the album cover for Coil’s ‘Unnatrural History III’ collection. Blinko also authored his own fictionalized auto-biography, Primal Screamer and the Haunted Head novel. Nick Blinko: Visions of Pope Adrian 37th is an art book detailing his output of illustrations during his 1983 institutionalization. 

    Links:

    Discogs.com: https://www.discogs.com/artist/253948-Rudimentary-Peni
    Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudimentary_Peni

    Related: Magits, Crass, UK Decay, Coil, Corpus Christi Records, London

    This profile is in development. Contributions?

  • Christian Death – Gigs 

    1978-1980

    xx.xx.1978 – The Asexuals – Private Party, ?, California

    xx.xx.1980 – Christian Death – Toxic Shock, Pomona, California

    xx.xx.1980 – Christian Death – Arts Building, Pomona, California

    13.12.1980 – Christian Death – Hong Kong Cafe, Chinatown, Los Angeles, California

    1981

    04.01.1981 – Christian Death – Arts Building, Pomona, California

    20.01.1981 – Christian Death – P.A.L. Boxing Gym, Pomona, California

    14.02.1981 – Christian Death – P.A.L. Boxing Gym, Pomona, California

    19.02.1981 – Christian Death – Vex Club, Los Angeles, California

    18.08.1981 – Christian Death – Whisky A Go-Go, Los Angeles, California

    08.09.1981 – Christian Death – Little Theatre, Upland, California

    19.09.1981 – Christian Death – Bard’s Apollo, Los Angeles, California

    22.10.1981 – Christian Death – Cuckoo’s Nest, Costa Mesa, California

    23.10.1981 – Christian Death – Atlantic Theatre, Long Beach, California

    30.10.1981 – Christian Death – Al’s Bar, Los Angeles, California

    31.10.1981 – Christian Death – Whisky A Go-Go, Los Angeles, California

    13.11.1981 – Christian Death – Whisky A Go-Go, Los Angeles, California

    14.11.1981 – Christian Death – Whisky A Go-Go, Los Angeles, California

    20.11.1981 – Christian Death – Fairmount Hall, San Diego, California

    22.12.1981 – Christian Death – The Gallery, Ontario, California

    26.12.1981 – Christian Death – Al’s Bar, Los Angeles, California

    xx.xx.1981 – Christian Death – Brave Dog, Los Angeles, California

    xx.xx.1981 – Christian Death – Cuckoo’s Nest, Costa Mesa, California

    1982

    19.01.1982 – Christian Death – Cathay de Grande, Los Angeles, California

    12.02.1982 – Christian Death – Cathay de Grande, Los Angeles, California

    12.02.1982 – Christian Death – Godzillas, Los Angeles, California

    25.02.1982 – Christian Death – Whisky A Go-Go, Los Angeles, California

    10.04.1982 – Christian Death – Vinyl Fetish, Los Angeles, California (OTOP Release Party)

    xx.04.1982 – Christian Death – Whisky A Go-Go, Los Angeles, California

    23.04.1982 – Christian Death – Adams Avenue Theatre, San Diego, California

    29.04.1982 – Christian Death – On Broadway, San Francisco, California

    21.05.1982 – Christian Death – Al’s Bar, Los Angeles, California

    24.07.1982 – Christian Death – Al’s Bar, Los Angeles, California

    14.08.1982 – Christian Death – King’s Road Cafe, San Diego, California

    26.08.1982 – Christian Death – Anticlub, Los Angeles, California

    03.09.1982 – Christian Death – Mr. Bufu’s, Fullerton, California

    24.10.1982 – Christian Death – Al’s Bar, Los Angeles, California

    30.10.1982 – Christian Death – S.I.R., Los Angeles, California

    13.11.1982 – Christian Death – Anticlub, Los Angeles, California

    03.12.1982 – Christian Death – Cove Theatres of Music, Hermosa Beach, California

    1983-1984

    18.12.1983 – Christian Death – KPFK, Studio Zzzz, Los Angeles, California

    22.12.1983 – Christian Death – Alexandria Hotel, Los Angeles, California

    xx.01.1984 – Christian Death – Media Blitz, Anaheim, California

    20.01.1984 – Christian Death – Lhasa Club, Los Angeles, California

    03.02.1984 – Christian Death – Ruthie’s Inn, Berkeley, California

    04.02.1984 – Christian Death – On Broadway, San Francisco, California

    06.02.1984 – Christian Death – Club Lingerie, Los Angeles, California

    16.02.1984 – Christian Death – Rathskeller, Boston, Massachussetts

    17.02.1984 – Christian Death – Danceteria, New York City, New York

    21.02.1984 – Christian Death – Les Bains-Douches, Paris, France

    23.02.1984 – Christian Death – La Sabale l’Opera, Paris, France

    28.03.1984 – Christian Death – The Batcave, London, England

    04.04.1984 – Christian Death – The Batcave, London, England

    14.05.1984 – Christian Death – Theatre du Forum Des Halles, Paris, France

    15.05.1984 – Christian Death – Exo 7, Rouen, France

    17.05.1984 – Christian Death – West Side Club, Lyon, France

    07.06.1984 – Christian Death – ?, Berlin, West Germany

    08.06.1984 – Christian Death – Le Bouffon, Geneva, Switzerland

    13.06.1984 – Christian Death – Le Bikini, Ramonville-Saint-Agne, France

    xx.06.1984 – Christian Death – ?, Freiburg, West Germany

    22.06.1984 – Christian Death – LVC, Leiden, The Netherlands

    23.06.1984 – Christian Death – Melkweg, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    30.06.1984 – Christian Death – Okie Dokie, Neuss, West Germany

    01.07.1984 – Christian Death – Kir, Hamburg, West Germany

    xx.xx.1984 – Christian Death – Haus Der Jugend, Dusseldorf, West Germany

    20.10.1984 – Christian Death – Berwin Entertainment Center, Hollywood, California

    25.10.1984 – Premature Ejaculation – Lhasa Club, Los Angeles, California

    09.11.1984 – Christian Death – Fender’s International Ballroom, Long Beach, California

    10.11.1984 – Christian Death – Whiteslug Records, Los Angeles, California (Catastrophe Ballet Release Party)

    xx.xx.1984 – Christian Death – Cathay De Grande, Los Angeles, California

    1985

    30.03.1985 – Christian Death – The Farm, San Francisco, California

    01.04.1985 – Christian Death – Club Graffiti, San Francisco, California

    05.04.1985 – Christian Death – Fender’s International Ballroom, Long Beach, California (Ashes Release Party)

    06.04.1985 – Christian Death – Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, California (Ashes Release Party)

    1986-1988

    15.02.1986 – Christian Death / Daucus Karota – Fender’s International Ballroom, Long Beach, California

    09.05.1986 – Christian Death / Daucus Karota – Big Johns, Anaheim, California

    01.08.1986 – Christian Death / Daucus Karota – The Farm, San Francisco, California

    10.06.1988 – Christ Death – Variety Arts Center, Los Angeles, California

    11.06.1988 – Christ Death – Zombie Zoo, Los Angeles, California

    1989

    29.10.1989 – Christian Death – Hollywood Live, Los Angeles, California

    15.12.1989 – Christian Death – Helter Skelter, Los Angeles, California

    22.12.1989 – Christian Death – Dreamerz, Chicago, Illinois

    23.12.1989 – Christian Death – Unicorn, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    xx.12.1989 – Christian Death – Apocalypse Club, Toronto, Canada

    27.12.1989 – Christian Death – Foufoun Electrique, Montreal, Canada

    30.12.1989 – Christian Death – CBGBs, New York City, New York

    1990

    xx.01.1990 – Christian Death – Masquerade, Atlanta, Georgia

    03.01.1990 – Christian Death – 4808 Club, Charlotte, North Carolina

    04.01.1990 – Christian Death – Beacham Theatre, Orlando, Florida

    05.01.1990 – Christian Death – Ritz Theatre, Ybor City, Florida

    09.01.1990 – Christian Death – The Axiom, Houston, Texas

    11.01.1990 – Christian Death – The Venue, Dallas, Texas

    13.01.1990 – Christian Death – Atomic Theatre, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    14.01.1990 – Christian Death – Mason Jar, Phoenix, Arizona

    16.02.1990 – Christian Death – Meadowlark Country Club, Huntington Beach, California

    13.07.1990 – Christian Death – Helter Skelter, Los Angeles, California

    20.12.1990 – Christian Death – Helter Skelter, Los Angeles, California

    1991

    10.01.1991 – Christian Death – Helter Skelter, Los Angeles, California

    18.01.1991 – Christian Death – Spanky’s, Riverside, California

    19.01.1991 – Christian Death – Spanky’s, Riverside, California

    12.06.1993 – Christian Death – Patriotic Hall, Los Angeles, California

  • Misfits

    Location: Lodi, New Jersey
    Active: 1977-1983, 1995-present

    The Misfits formed in New Jersey, 1977 with core members Glenn Danzig (volcals) and Jerry Only (bass) and released their first single “Cough/Cool”, a jazzy keyboard anthem, and a similarly performed early version of “She”, with Glenn Danzig’s Elvis styled crooning being the only hint of what the band would sound like once they came into their own. This would be on their “Bullet” EP, and the “Night Of the Living Dead” single (the later  featured Bobby Steele who would form The Undead after being ejected from the band after just a short time), dropping the piano and the more familiar guitar bass drums approach was adopted. These records also established their firm image and sound as a horror punk band, relying on shock-and-awe gore, violence, and odes to horror movies as their focus. Relying on singles and EPs, the Misfits first full length record ‘Walk Among Us’ (featuring Robo, formerly of Black Flag, on drums) only arrived in 1981, followed by 1983s ‘Earth AD’, coinciding with the bands breakup. Nevertheless, their distinct style, their self run fan-club aka ‘Fiend Club’ and work ethic around touring and self-produced merch, established the Misfits as a cult band and a cornerstone of early American hardcore and horror punk, not to mention deathrock.  

    Their cult following resulted in several posthumous releases, including Collections I & II, the Legacy of Brutality album consisting of early recordings never released, the ‘Evilive’ live album, and the comprehensive Box Set. The box set unearthed a plethora of previously unreleased recordings, despite many of them circulating on bootlegs records and tapes for years among avid collectors. Several major mainstream bands such as Metallica cited the Misfits as influences, adding to the bands following in the mid 80s/early 90s. 

    Immediately after the Misfits, Glenn Danzig formed Samhain, focusing on the more sinister and darker elements of horror, dumping the tongue-in-cheek affectation of the Misfits in a gory puddle on the floor. This began by releasing ‘Initium’, the ‘Unholy Passion’ EP, and ‘November Coming Fire’, while their last album, ‘Final Descent’, emerged after the transition from Samhain to Danzig, the singer and core member rebranding the band after his own name. 

    Following the culmination of a legal dispute between founding members Jerry Only and Glenn Danzig, in 1995, Only and his brother Doyle who played guitar for the later era Misfits reformed with a series of new singers, including incarnations with Jerry himself singing. This reunion Misfits rode a wave of success before eventually fading, struggling through incessant (and sometimes ludicrous) lineup changes. Also during this time Danzig began to include Misfits songs into his own sets, something Glenn Danzig was often loathe to do previously, presumably as a result of legal issues with Jerry, despite Glenn Danzig being the original writer of most of the Misfits’ material. In 2016, Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only and Doyle, the core original misfits lineup returned to the stage for reunion shows, continuing as recently as 2019. 

    Related: Samhain, Danzig, Black Flag

    Links

    Official: http://www.misfits.com/
    Discogs.com: https://www.discogs.com/artist/252732-Misfits
    Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misfits_(band)
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Misfits 
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialmisfits/

    This profile is in development. Contributions?

  • Christian Death 

    Location: USA – Los Angeles, CA

    Active: 1979-1985

    Christian Death formed in 1979 in the Los Angeles area. Along with 45 Grave and related projects, they were instrumental in forming what would become known as ‘deathrock’, a genre most often associated with bands of the southern California scene, but more broadly applies to bands the world over. Rozz Williams formed the original lineup with George Belanger and James McGearty. Rikk Agnew of the Adolescents (also Social Distortion, D.I., many other LA punk bands, an accomplished solo artist, and a later era 45 Grave) joined on guitar, and their debut recording appeared in 1981 on the essential ‘Hell Comes To Your House’ compilation, and released their first LP in 1982, ‘Only Theatre of Pain’ on Frontier Records. Keith Walsh (Der Stab) played keyboards in this era of Christian Death.

    By their second album, ‘Catastrophe Ballet’ in 1984, the lineup had changed significantly, with Rozz Williams the only remaining original member, and Valor Kand (guitar), Gitane Demone (backing vocals) and David Glass (drums), all of whom were previously the band Pompeii 99. This lineup lasted til 1985’s ‘Ashes’. During a European tour, Rozz Williams left the band, however Kand continued using Christian Death against Williams’ wishes, resulting in a severe division amongst fans. Despite Valor’s talent as a musician, which continued to shine over the next few albums, most fans familiar with the distinction between Rozz Williams era and Valor era Christian Death refer to the later as Valor era or Valor’s Christian Death. Valor’s nonconsensual appropriation of the name continues to be bone of contention.  

    Rozz Williams continued with other musical projects including noise / performance art collaborations like Premature Ejaculation, several solo projects and a collaborative album with Gitane Demone. The most relevant progressions from his Christian Death work were Shadow Project, and Daucus Karota which emerged from it. Shadow Project was a collaboration with Eva O of the Super Heroines, as well as Johann Schumann and Barry Galvin of Mephisto Walz, who had also played with and departed post-Rozz Christian Death) David Glass also returned to work with Shadow Project.

    Williams also performed and released further Christian Death material, despite the existence of Valor’s continued use of the name. Legal disputes failed any significant conclusions. In 1990, the original Christian Death reformed with Rozz Williams, Rikk Agnew and Eva O for a rare live performance at the Mason Jar in Phoenix, Arizona supported by Bootbeast. The performance was recorded for an audio and video release entitled Sleepless Nights, one of a very few efforts made by Rozz Williams to perform original Christian Death material during the band’s late era. The Path of Shadows, Rage of Angels, and Skeleton Kiss EP were all released by Christian Death under Rozz’s direction during this time.

    Rozz Williams died in his home in Los Angeles of suicide on April 1, 1998.

    Related: Shadow Project, Der Stab, Adolescents, Social Distortion, D.I., Pompeii 99, Super Heroines, Mephisto Walz, Daucus Karota

    Links


    Official: http://www.rozznet.com/

    Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/artist/94647-Christian-Death

    Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Death

    Bandcamp: https://frontierrecords-christiandeath.bandcamp.com/


    This profile is in development. Contributions?

  • 45 Grave

    Location: USA – Los Angeles, CA
    Active: 1979 – current

    Hailing from Los Angeles California in 1979, founding members Rob “Graves” Ritter, Don Bolles, and Paul Cutler relocated from Phoenix, AZ (Cutler played in The Consumers, Ritter and Bolles in The Exterminators) added Dinah Cancer (formerly of Los Angeles’ Castration Squad) and emerged as one of that city’s first punk bands with a the dark, tongue in cheek aesthetic that is synonymous with what would become ‘deathrock’. After arriving in LA, Bolles initially played as drummer in LA’s keystone punk band The Germs and also participated in Nervous Gender, while Ritter played with The Bags and The Gun Club. 45 Grave eventually drew Paul Roeseller (formerly of The Screamers) into the fold. 45 Grave was a sort of nexus and galvanization point for those with a taste for more eclectic tastes than strictly hardcore punk, not to mention black dress and gothic humor. Bolles project Vox Pop was formed towards the end of his Germs career; Dinah Cancer would also be involved in Vox Pop which remained active during 45 Grave’s 1980s existence.

    45 Grave’s full length album ‘Sleep In Safety’ is one of the earliest bricks in deathrock’s foundations. Along with their singles, they appeared on the Hell Comes To Your House compilation, firmly cemented next to it in the very same foundation (along with Christian Death) and the equally regarded Return of the Living Dead soundtrack (alongside legends like The Cramps and The Damned, with TSOL, The Flesheaters, Jet Black Berries and Roky Erickson – all of whom have been talked about on this site over the years). In 2004, Dinah Cancer reformed a new 45 Grave after fronting the heavy punk band Penis Flytrap (1997-2001), releasing ‘Pick Your Poison’ in 2012, and as of 2024 are still active.

    Links:
    https://45gravemusic.bandcamp.com/music
    https://www.discogs.com/artist/232625
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/45_Grave

    Related: The Consumers, The Exterminators, Castration Squad, The Cramps, The Damned, The Gun Club, The Bags, TSOL, The Screamers, Nervous Gender, The Germs, Penis Flytrap, Return of the Living Dead, Dinah Cancer, Vox Pop

    This profile is in development. Contributions?

  • Phranc

    Phranc is a solo performer whose beginnings can be traced back to bands like Nervous Gender, Catholic Discipline and Castration Squad and an important figure in the emerging queercore development of the early punk scene.

    Related: Nervous Gender, Catholic Discipline, Castration Squad

    This profile is in development. Contributions?

  • The Damned

    Location: London, UK
    Active: 1976-current

    Part of the initial wave of the UK punk explosion amidst bands like the Sex Pistols, The Clash, Generation X and The Dark, The Damned are especially relevant to deathrock for their inclusion of brooding atmosphere, tongue-in-cheek dark humor and horror movie chic. The Damned remain in a class of their own as a punk band, often crossing over into goth and deathrock waters, be it in stand alone songs or the entire ‘Phantasmagoria’ and ‘Anything’ albums. Also central to their attribution to the gothic and deathrock moniker are frontman Dave Vanian’s iconic Bela Lugosi / Victorian vampire attire and makeup. The Damned are credited with the first UK punk record release, preceding the Sex Pistols by weeks in 1976. 

    Despite periods of inactivity, the Damned have never stayed split for long, and remain to be active to the current day. Dave Vanian also fronted Dave Vanian and the Phantom Chords. Founding member and songwriter of the Damned’s first two albums, Brian James left in 1977 and eventually worked with Iggy Pop. In 1981, James joined Stiv Bators (Dead Boys) to form Lords of the New Church. Captain Sensible departed The Damned prior to Phantasmagoria to develop his solo career, though he would eventually reunite with the band. During his initial absence, a release under the name Naz Nomad and the Nightmares was actually the Damned without Sensible in 1984 covering 1960s songs and original material in similar style. Dave Vanian contributed the track Tenterhooks to the gothic compilation LP ‘The Whip’ at this time alongside bands like Blood and Roses, Play Dead, Brigandage, the post-UK Decay/Furyo interim song “Slave Drive”, and Sex Gang Children.

    The 1996 era of The Damned saw Patricia Morrison (Bags, Gun Club, Sisters of Mercy) join the group, she also wed Dave Vanian. Captain Sensible also reunited with the band at this time. In 2000, ‘Grave Disorder’ was released, and as far as this writer is concerned, presented a refreshing, revitalized incarnation and sound that reintroduced The Damned as a major factor in gothic punk sound.

    Trivia: Glenn Danzig Wrote the the song Archangel for Dave Vanian who chose not to perform it. Instead, Danzig recorded the song himself on Samhain’s first album ‘Initium’.

    Related: Dave Vanian And The Phantom Chords, Naz Nomad and the Nightmares, Lords of the New Church, Captain Sensible, Brian James

    This profile is in development. Contributions?