British punk rock icons The Damned are on course to enter the UK album chart in the top 10 for the first time in their 41 year career. Their Visconti produced album Evil Spirits is actually sitting in the Top 5 in today’s midweek numbers.
Despite scoring numerous chart-topping singles, their highest charting album, ‘Phantasmagoria’ in 1985, just missed the top ten spot and peaked at number 11. History is in the making this week, however, with the Friday the 13th release of the critically-acclaimed Evil Spirits, the band’s first full album release in ten years, as its mid-week sales show it racing into the top ten.
‘It hasn’t really sunk in yet,’ laughs frontman Dave Vanian. ‘But it feels great to finally get there as it’s been a long time coming. We’ve had lots of top ten singles but never an album. Even when ‘Eloise’ was a big hit we were pipped to the number one spot by a novelty song by (British comedy actor and singer) Su Pollard! This time we’ve had Kylie and the Manics to compete with. A huge thanks to the fans, of course, without whom this record would never have been made. It feels amazing to finally get it out there.’
Today the band release a new video for new single, Look Left, filmed at the legendary Camden venue, Koko. Look Left is The Damned at their most epic and grandiose; a sweeping sugar-coated mind-grenade, addressing post-millennial society’s “media-induced coma” over lush vocal melodies and show tune theatrics. Written by drummer Pinch as a love song to the human race, the lush balladry holds a heavy lyrical theme within.
Evil Spirits is out now via Search And Destroy/Spinefarm Records available on digital download via Spotify and i-Tunes, on CD and 180g vinyl available in record shops and online at https://thedamned.lnk.to/evilspirits
You can catch the band live in the UK next in June when they tour as support to the Hollywood Vampires (Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp) at the following dates:
June 16th Birmingham Genting Arena
June 17th Manchester Arena
June 19th Glasgow The SSE Hydro
June 20th London The SSE Arena, Wembley
And at the following headline shows in August:
August 22nd Southampton, 02 Guildhall
August 23rd Holmfirth, Holmfirth Picture House
August 24th Warrington, Warrington Parr Hall
August 25th Belfast, Belsonic Festival