Devil's Gate Music
Related Articles
It’s no secret at this point in their career – The Damned have always loved smashing out a good cover or ten.
They’ve covered some of rock’s most prestigious and notable tracks. On their debut 1976 single New Rose (released half a century ago now!), a faster and heavier cover of Help! by The Beatles was its B-side. On their 7th album, Anything, the band took a gothic spin on the classic Love track Alone Again Or. And who could forget their 1986 cover of Barry Ryan’s classic Eloise, which gave the band its highest-ever UK singles chart entry at #3? What’s amazing is that this isn’t even the full list of songs that they have covered in their time – these are just 3 of my personal favourites, if anything!
For their 13th album, The Damned have decided to take a left turn and put out an album made ENTIRELY of covers from other bands, titled Not Like Everybody Else. Recorded in just 5 days in Los Angeles, and dedicated to founding guitarist Brian James, who sadly passed away in March of last year, it’s the first Damned release in 3 years, and also the first time that we get the pleasure of hearing the legendary Rat Scabies behind the drumkit in 30 years! In keeping with the band’s love for 60s rock, the album cover is a psychedelic flush of colour, with an edgy, yet trippy, logo to match. Captain Sensible, Dave Vanian, Rat Scabies, and Paul Gray are all posing in front of a large, looming Brian who looks onwards into the horizon – a heartwarming tribute to the man who introduced Britain to punk music.
There are some standout tracks on this; some songs that sound as if, had they had been a band in the 60s, they could easily have written and released. One such example is Summer in the City, originally by The Lovin’ Spoonful, which keeps the original track’s psychedelic nature, but lays down a punk infusion, thanks to Rat’s pounding drums and Dave’s gothic vocals. Monty Oxymorron shines especially on this track, delivering exceptional keys and a brilliant solo. On the album’s title track, Dave and co. channel the same angst and rebellion that The Kinks channelled on their 1966 original – creating a tune for the outsiders, the misfits. It’s only fitting that they do this cover, seeing as their earlier albums, such as Damned Damned Damned and Music for Pleasure, were released at a time when punk rock was starting to break out in the UK, so the misfits at the time would’ve found a companionship with their songs. It all comes full circle, doesn’t it?
The album’s finale, a cover of The Last Time by the Rolling Stones, is an incredibly emotional one. Not only is it a heavy track lyrically, but it’s equally as heavy when you realise that Brian is actually playing on the track. It’s taken from his final performance with The Damned in Birmingham, 2022. His guitar work on the song is as raw and gritty as it was on their 1977 debut, and the foursome sound just as frenzied and heavy. When doing the band introductions at the end of the track, Captain Sensible loudly calls out Brian’s name and goes on to say “without whom, no one would be here tonight” to really emphasise his importance in not just The Damned, but in punk rock. Having this performance serve as an outro to the record was a fantastic choice, and one that will no doubt warm the hearts of fans everywhere. It certainly did for me!
Not Like Everybody Else serves as an album that shows fans the fun and looser side of The Damned. They aren’t afraid to spend less than a week in the studio and smash out 10 covers instead of creating a new album. Given the fact that they are now 50 years into their career, it’s safe to say that they’ve earned the right to do whatever the fuck they want, whenever the fuck they want! And to mark the half-century occasion, what better place is there to celebrate the milestone than by playing Wembley Arena? Because that’s where they’re headed in April, alongside The Loveless, Peter Hook and the Light, and The Courettes – so get your leather jackets and shades on, and flock to London to commemorate punk’s O.G. heroes in style.
Not Like Everybody Else is available now via earMUSIC, more information HERE.
Review – Joe Richardson
Photo credits – copyright earMUSIC credit to Soledad Amarilla
Backstage image – copyright earMUSIC credit to Sacha Lecca
The Damned are heading out around the UK with a series of instore appearances and signings:
Saturday 24th January:
HMV Birmingham Bullring Instore signing 12-2pm.
Rough Trade Liverpool QandA and signing hosted by PhilAlexander 7pm Tickets & Info: HERE
Monday 26th January:
HMV Manchester instore signing 1-3pm
Thursday 29th January:
Resident Brighton Q and A and signing hosted by Pat Gilbert 6pm Tickets & Info: HERE
Upcoming “One-Off” Covers Shows:
28th Jan 2026: Albert Hall, Manchester
1st Feb 2026: Bataclan, Paris
3rd Feb 2026: Essigfabrik, Cologne
Tickets for Covers Shows: HERE
Tickets to the 50th anniversary show at OVO Arena Wembley, HERE
