1976 was an auspicious year for many. Malcolm Fraser was PM in Australia and James Callaghan became PM in Britain, the Apple Computer Company was founded by Steve jobs and Steve Wozniak, the film ‘Rocky’ was released and Nadia Comaneci was making gymnastics history at the Montreal Olympic Games. It was also in 1976 that a soon to be legendary punk band was formed. Who could have predicted that The Damned would still be rocking out 35 years on?

They have been through some shaky times. David Letts (aka Dave Vanian) got the gig as vocalist because Sid Vicious didn’t turn up for the audition. Captain Sensible (who is anything but sensible) departed at one point. There have been a parade of bassists and a few keyboard players, and it’s only in contemporary times that a sense of stability has settled around this iconic punk act. What has never changed however, is the music.

The Damned has survived because it is more than Vanian, Captain sensible and other band members past and present. The songs transcend time, generations and, perhaps sadly, situations. On this busy Melbourne night, fans made the pilgrimage to the unlikely punk music venue ‘Billboard’ to see their heroes.

Unfortunately we were present to catch Dr El Suavo, the smutty magician who managed to insult many with insinuations of grey pubic hair and old age. Even considering that it was a novelty act, didn’t forgive him the poor jokes that hinted at his sexist and ageist attitudes. He wasn’t in the least funny. Thank goodness then for The Damned with their irreverent, tongue-in-cheek attitude and their experienced approach to all things music.

Described by many as belonging to the ‘gothic punk’ genre, the band is atypically melodic. Vanian vocally smooches his way through many of the band’s better-known numbers. Even when they’re playing hard n’ fast, Vanian doesn’t sound like your typical punk-rocker. In his suit and cravat, he could very well be a tougher version of Bryan Ferry. The set presented here included a timeline of songs. How they chose what to perform we’ll never know because their discography is extensive and there are just so many brilliant songs to play. Punters were delighted with their selection of 20 numbers that represented different eras of The Damned.

The excitement was palpable as the first strains of “Blackout” filled the venue. Would they still be able to carry it off? Was there any doubt? Each fan was on edge as they attempted to discern the first few notes of their favourite Damned song. Soon all songs would be a favourite as the band ripped through hit after hit. “New Rose”, the very first punk single from a London band, “Feel the Pain”, dedicated to old friends and former band members, “Love Song”, “Nasty” (which the band performed on the ‘Young Ones’ TV series), “Eloise” which was the Barry Ryan remake and “Smash It Up”, the song made popular amongst a new generation by The Offspring. We know why Captain Sensible was wearing his ‘freak’ outfit, because any group that can play with such passion after such a long time is freakish, in the best way possible. Sometimes a gig is just a gig but at other times punters feel that they have witnessed something much more. Long live The Damned.