Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
The Damned has planned a joyous U.K. tour, 50 years after starting the British punk boom, as per Blabbermouth. They return to Britain in November and December 2026 for “Final Damnation 50” after a successful 50th anniversary performance at the OVO Arena Wembley in April and an upcoming global run that will feature the Sydney Opera House and a major North American comeback. It’s also an opportunity to see the legendary lineup of Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies, Paul Grey, and Monty Oxymoron, as The Damned is the first punk band from the United Kingdom to ever release a single, an album, and tour the United States.
Half a century on and who’d have thought we would still be upright and breathing? We never thought we’d make it this far, and neither did you! But here we are, a finely tuned engine. The Damned still has the power and finesse to excite, entertain and accelerate into our 50th year. – Rat Scabies
With 50 years of catalog to choose from, only the best songs from our checkered history will be performed, and with the passion and commitment all good music lovers deserve. You know we won’t disappoint. – Captain Sensible
50 years of The Damned also means 50 years of punk, with the explosion of 1976 hitting a half century. The band jump started the revolution, releasing the first UK punk single in “New Rose” and album “Damned, Damned, Damned”. Brian James wrote that debut single and was lead songwriter on the album. He left the group after the release of their second album, “Music For Pleasure” in 1977.
The band earned an ever-expanding fan base fueled by legendary live shows, while their dark lyrics and Dave Vanian’s rich baritone vocals catapulted them to the forefront of the Goth-Rock genre.
