The Damned have announced a farewell tour of Australia. The punk icons will return to Australia for the final time in March 2024, with the reunited classic lineup of Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies and Paul Gray set to rock the nation for the first time since 1989.
On the subject of being back together down under for the first time in 35 years, Rat Scabies comments "It seemed like the right time. We wanted to do this while we are all still upright, breathing and capable of doing it at a high level and challenge ourselves and each other for the fans. We will play the best of Machine Gun Etiquette,The Black Album and Strawberries album and chuck in all the other classics. Paul’s playing great (just did the Professor and the Madmen album thing with him), as is Captain and Dave’s singing great too so it’s going to be amazing to be back".
The Damned have always been brilliant in every iteration, but it's the classic lineup that people hold dearest to their punk rock hearts, so it seems a fitting way for the group, recognised as one of the first punk bands, to farewell their loyal antipodean fans.
Their classic hit New Rose has been acknowledged as the very first single by a punk band, coming out five weeks before the Sex Pistols Anarchy In the UK. They were also the first British punk band to tour the United States, inspiring the first wave of West Coast hardcore and punk. Their impact on the global punk scene is immeasurable. It's not often a band gets credit for starting a new genre, let alone three; The Damned were pioneers not only of punk, they also paved the way for Goth Rock.
Tickets for the final run which kicks off on Wednesday 20 March in Brisbane at the Tivoli before visiting rooms in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth will be on sale Thursday 7 December at 9 AM local time. A pre-sale will be held from Tuesday 5 December at 9 AM local time. Pre-sale sign-up and general ticket information are available via Metropolis Touring.
The Damned
1976 – 2024
Final Australian Tour
Wed, March 20: The Tivoli, Brisbane
Thurs, March 21: Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Fri, March 22: Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
Sun, March 24: Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide
Tues, March 26: Astor Theatre, Perth
Shop for Punk Merch
Listen to The Damned
