The Damned Live Performances Index
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1979 1978 1977 1976
Naz Nomad & The Nightmares The Phantom Chords Captain Sensible
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The Damned: Live Performances - 1978
The list of shows for 1978 should be considered as 'work in progress'.
Sunday 24 December 1978 - The Greyhound, CroydonComments: CANCELLED - rescheduled as 'The Damned' for 7 January 1979.
Saturday 23 December 1978 - Electric Ballroom, Camden, London
Set included: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Ballroom Blitz, Love Song, Looking At You, Burglar, Problem Child, Second Time Around, Melody Lee, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up.
Comments: Last gig as The Doomed (though also seen advertised as The Damned). Gig re-arranged from 21 December. This gig sometimes incorrectly listed as 23 September 1978, 23 October 1978 or 23 January 1979. The partial set above is as per the actetate recording [An acetate is a transitional stage between a master tape and a finished vinyl record. An acetate looks like a vinyl record, but it is actually a metal plate covered in a layer of acetone] made of this show. Free copies of the single Love Song / Burglar given away at this gig and the gig on 14 January 1979. Support supposedly featured Paul and Steve from The Rods and Walso & The Wimps.
Thursday 21 December 1978 - Electric Ballroom, Camden, LondonComments: CANCELLED - re-arranged for 23 December.
Wednesday 20 December 1978 - Maida Vale Studios, LondonSet: Melody Lee, Love Song, Burglar, Looking At You.
Comments: Not a live gig - but still a live appearance, this session was recorded for The John Peel Radio Show and was first aired on 8 January 1979. All tracks from this session would later be made commercially available to purchase.
Tuesday 19 December 1978 - Barbarella's, Birmingham
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as The Doomed. A contributor to this site wrote 'Great gig but as with the 24 October show - not well supported.'
Friday 15 December 1978 - Clouds, Edinburgh
Set: unknown.
Comments: Gary Holton on vocals. There are references to the band playing as 'The Nightmares in The Dark' rather than 'The Doomed' for this show... but no supporting evidence has been found. Flyers for the gig show that they were certainly advertised as The Doomed (see also 14 December Dundee show comments). Tickets look to have stated 'Regular Music invite you to The Doomed's Christmas Party at Clouds on Friday 15th December, 8pm - Tickets £1.50'.
Thursday 14 December 1978 - College of Art, Dundee
Set: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Ballroom Blitz, Daytripper, Burglar, Help, Stab Your Back, Problem Child, She's No Angel.
Comments: Support from The Tools. Gary Holton on vocals. There are references to the band playing as 'The Nightmares in The Dark' rather than 'The Doomed' for this show... and this reference has made it into Damned folklore due to a bootleg of the gig being marked-up as such. A contributor to the site wrote 'they were definitely billed as The Doomed (confirmed by a poster of the show which clearly states 'The Doomed')... but... as the story goes... the promotor scrubbed out The Doomed and wrote 'Nightmares in the Dark' for the Dundee gig (and possibly some others?)' - this seems like a credible account of events. Trouble temporarily halted the show following 'Burglar' and when they resumed with 'Help', Gary Holton merrily sang the lyrics for 'Stab Your Back' for a while. It seems the show was brought to a halt after 'She's No Angel', probably by venue staff, but this is indistinct on the source recording that this set was taken from.
Thursday 14 December 1978 - Ruffles, AberdeenComments: Gig rearranged for 13 December.
Wednesday 13 December 1978 - Ruffles, Aberdeen
Set: unknown.
Comments: Gig rearranged from 14 December. Gary Holton on vocals. There are references to the band playing as 'The Nightmares in The Dark' rather than 'The Doomed' for this show... but no supporting evidence has been found (see also 14 December Dundee show comments).
Saturday 9 December 1978 - Russell Club, Manchester
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed.
Friday 8 December 1978 - Eric's, Liverpool
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed.
Sunday 3 December 1978 - McGonnagles, Dublin, Republic Of Ireland
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed.
Saturday 2 December 1978 - Arcadia, Cork, Republic Of Ireland
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed. Though this date was given in the music press at the time, a contributor to this site has stated 'I was working at The Arcadia in Cork in November 1978 and I met The Damned and chatted with Captain Sensible and other band members. The day was definitely a Wednesday, not a Saturday, so the Arcadia Cork [shown as 2 December] and Arcadia Portrush [shown as 29 November] dates may be the wrong way around'. However, another contributor has stated categorically 'I was the promoter of the Doomed gig at the Cork Arcadia and it was definitely on Saturday 2 December - I still have written records of all the gigs there.'
Friday 1 December 1978 - The Pound, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed.
Thursday 30 November 1978 - The Pound, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed.
Wednesday 29 November 1978 - Arcadia, Portrush, Northern Ireland
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed. Though this date was given in the music press at the time, a contributor to this site has stated 'I was working at The Arcadia in Cork in November 1978 and I met The Damned and chatted with Captain Sensible and other band members. The day was definitely a Wednesday, not a Saturday, so the Arcadia Cork [shown as 2 December] and Arcadia Portrush [shown as 29 November] dates may be the wrong way around'. However, another contributor has stated categorically 'I was the promoter of the Doomed gig at the Cork Arcadia and it was definitely on Saturday 2 December - I still have written records of all the gigs there.'
Sunday 12 November 1978 - Bleville Festival Hall, Le Havre, France
Set: unknown.
Comments: Presumably appearing as as The Doomed, though a gig flyer from the time indicates The Damned. Matinee performance. Support was advertised as Olivenstein's.
Friday 10 November 1978 - Bataclan, Paris, France
Set possibly: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Born To Kill, Burglar, Ballroom Blitz, Looking At You, Help, Stab Your Back, Anti-pope, Stretcher Case, New Rose, Problem Child, Neat Neat Neat. encore - New Rose, Neat Neat Neat, Born To Kill.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed, Algy Ward replaced Henry Badowski on bass.
Thursday 9 November 1978 - Volkshaus, Zurich, Switzerland
Set: unknown
Comments: Advertised support was Kleenex, and Dieter Meier with Fresh Colour. If this show went ahead as planned, this would be presumably be the earliest known show with Algy Ward instead of Henry Badowski on bass.
Sunday 29 October 1978 - The Greyhound, Croydon
Set: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Born to Kill, Burglar, Ballroom Blitz, Looking At You, Help, Stab Your Back, Antipope, Stretcher Case, New Rose, Problem Child, Neat Neat Neat. encore - New Rose, Neat Neat Neat.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed - last show with Henry Badowski on bass. Support from Snivelling Shits and The Cowards. The Cowards played 'Antipope' during their set earlier in the evening - Captain's brother Phil, being a member of The Cowards and the writer of 'Antipope'.
Tuesday 24 October 1978 - The Mayfair, Birmingham
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed. Support from The Fashion. Rearranged gig, originally intended for a new venue on 5 October (The Gig), that was not to required council standards by the time it was due to open. A contributor to this site wrote 'Great gig but hardly anyone was there as it was billed as the Doomed'.
Saturday 21 October 1978 - The Focus, Peterborough
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed.
Friday 20 October 1978 - The Mandalla Hall, Sussex University, Brighton
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed. Support from The Molesters and Smeggy & The Cheese Bits.
Thursday 19 October 1978 - Royal College of Art, London
Set included: Teenage Dream, Second Time Around, Problem Child, Burglar, Ballroom Blitz, Looking At You, Help, Stab Your Back, Antipope, New Rose, Jet Boy Jet Girl, Stretcher Case, Neat Neat Neat.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed. The Members, The Softies and The Crack also on the bill. Mike Rossi (ex of Slaughter & the Dogs) joined the Doomed on stage. There was a false start to 'Neat Neat Neat' and the number immediately begun again. It is possible that further numbers were played after 'Neat Neat Neat', but this can't be confirmed from the source cassette tape.
Saturday 14 October 1978 - Rock Garden, Middlesborough
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed. Gig confirmed as having taken place.
Friday 13 October 1978 - Mayflower, Manchester
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed on the reopening night for The Mayflower. Support from The Straits and Johnny G(?) or Ivor Biggun(?).
Thursday 12 October 1978 - The Foundry, Canterbury
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed.
Tuesday 10 October 1978 - Fan Club - Brannigan's, Leeds
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed. Support from Xpelaires.
Saturday 7 October 1978 - Polytechnic, Leicester
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed.
Friday 6 October 1978 - The Porterhouse, Retford
Set included: Burglar, Help, New Rose, Neat Neat Neat, Teenage Dream, Arnold Layne, Jet Boy Jet Girl.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed. Included a short rendition of 'We're All Going Down The Pub'.
Thursday 5 October 1978 - The Gig, BirminghamComments: This new venue had to have its opening delayed as it was not 'to council standards', hence this gig was rearranged for 24 October at The Mayfair.
Wednesday 4 October 1978 - The Stowaway, Newport
Set: unknown.
Comments: Support was probably Victimize. Appeared as as The Doomed (Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies & Henry Badowski). There are pictures 'out there' indicating that this gig did take place.
Tuesday 3 October 1978 - The Gig, BirminghamComments: Although there was some advertising for The Doomed at this venue on 3 October (rather than the more widely advertised 5 October) it is presumed to be erroneous as 'New Wave' night was always on a Thursday.
Saturday 30 September 1978 - Focus Youth Club, Peterborough
Set: unknown.
Comments: Advertised as 'Next Saturday - September 30, 7:30 pm - The Damned - Reformed and known as The Doomned (their misspelling] - Members £1.50, non-mambers £2:00).'
Friday 29 September 1978 - Metro, Plymouth
Set: unknown.
Comments: Appeared as as The Doomed (Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies & Henry Badowski).
Wednesday 27 September 1978 - Bones, Reading
Set included: Teenage Dream, Antipope, Problem Child, Looking At You, New Rose, Burglar, Machine Gun Etiquette, Arnold Layne, Ballroom Blitz, Stretcher Case.
Comments: Advertised as Rat Scabies, Johnny Sensible, Dave Vanian + guests. Support from The Infra Red Helicopters. The set above is in the correct running order, but 'Teenage Dream' may not have been the opening numbers, and there was almost certainly more following 'Stretcher Case'.
Tuesday 5 September 1978 - Electric Ballroom, Camden, London
Set: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Stretcher Case, Antipope, Second Time Around, Problem Child, Silver Machine, Burglar, Looking At You, Neat Neat Neat, Help, Kill, Stab Your Back, City Kids, New Rose, I Feel Alright. encore - Neat Neat Neat.
Comments: Support from The Softies and Rudi. Gig originally billed as 'Les Punks' but later as The Doomed - Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible (now on lead guitar), Rat Scabies and Lemmy on bass. Some reporting from the time suggests that 'Don't Cry Wolf' was also played, but there is no evidence of this on the sourced recording. There was a false start to 'Stab Your Back' prior to 'Kill', and a false start to 'Looking At You', which was immediately begun again.
Saturday 22 July 1978 - Volkshaus, Zurich, SwitzerlandComments: CANCELLED - presumably arranged prior to the break-up of The Damned. Intended support was Dieter Meier and Kleenex.
Saturday 8 April 1978 - Rainbow, Finsbury Park, London
Set: I Fall, You Take My Money, Stretcher Case, Dont Cry Wolf, Fan Club, Neat Neat Neat, Help, Sick Of Being Sick, Fish, You Know, Problem Child, Creep, Politics, So Messed Up, New Rose. encore - I Feel Alright, Born To Kill .
Comments: Althought the band had officially split, they reformed for a farewell gig. Dave Vanian had left to join The Doctors of Madness, Rat Scabies had formed The White Cats, Lu & Jon Moss had a project called The Edge, Brian James formed Tanz Der Youth, Captain Sensible was playing with Johnny Moped and with The Softies. A contributor to this site wrote 'Captain opened the gig with a competition to see who could spit in his mouth! He also wore a Nazi armband for the gig (something he is ashamed of today).' Rat Scabies was in the crowd and invited by Captain Sensible to join the band on stage to play a second drum kit - for half the set and the encore, Rat Scabies and Jon Moss drummed together. Additionally, Lol Coxhill joined them to play on a long version of You Know. Support from The Soft Boys, Johnny Moped and Prof and The Prophets.
Sunday 19 February 1978 - LondonComment: Presumably CANCELLED?
Friday 17 February 1978 - Barbarella's, BirminghamComment: CANCELLED (press comment...because they are concentrating all their energies on developing what they call "a radically new act").
Tuesday 14 February 1978 - Victoria Hall, KeighleyComment: CANCELLED (press comment...because they are concentrating all their energies on developing what they call "a radically new act"). Some advertising for the time shows Nikkers Club but more specific Nikkers advertising indicates it was actually intended for Victoria Hall.
Saturday 11 February 1978 - College of Further Education, Oxford
Set: unknown.
Comments: Gig confirmed as going ahead, a contributor to this site wrote - 'I was at this gig. The Damned were the lead act supported by Japan and The Tourists. We also spotted Micky Most in the audience along with a number of security guards with alsations. A great evening and my first live punk gig - happy days!'
Monday 23 January 1978 - Castaways, Plymouth
Set: unknown.
Saturday 21 January 1978 - Technical College, Loughborough
Set: unknown.
Comments: Advertising for this show indicated that the intended support on the night was to be Japan.
Sunday 15 January 1978 - The Greyhound, Croydon
Set: I Fall, You Take My Money, Creep, Fan Club, Politics, Neat Neat Neat, Problem Child, Sick of Being Sick, Idiot Box, Stretcher Case, Don't Cry Wolf, Help, So Messed Up, New Rose. encore - I Feel Alright, Born To Kill.
Comments: Intended support from Johnny Moped and The Cowards, but Johnny Moped was apparently a no-show. Instead Captain Sensible, The Cowards and various members of the Johnny Moped band, took to the stage and played, supposedly, giving a half hour(ish) version of 'Hard Lovin' Man'. An NME music paper article of 14 January stated that John Moss would be replaced by Dave Burke for this single show following his serious car accident on New Years Eve - however, in a bootleg recording of this gig, the band is introduced prior to their set and John Moss is clearly indicated as playing drums. The Damned's set possibly finished with another playing of 'Don't Cry Wolf'.
The Damned Live Performances Index
The Damned - 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980
1979 1978 1977 1976
Naz Nomad & The Nightmares The Phantom Chords Captain Sensible
Selected Miscellany Unresolved issues Site updates
Page content last reviewed/updated on: 5 April 2018.
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