Photo of Captain Sensible by Dod Morrison
Legendary U.K. punk outfit The Damned will enter the studio next month with famed producer Tony Visconti to record their first new album in a decade — news that was accompanied by the announcement that early-’80s bassist Paul Gray is rejoining the band.
The new, as-yet-untitled album, due out in 2018, will be The Damned’s 11th since 1977, and first new record since 2008’s So, Who’s Paranoid? The group — led by co-founders Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible — are due to enter a Brooklyn studio with Visconti (David Bowie, Morrissey, T.Rex, The Stranglers) in October.
Along with that announcement, The Damned revealed that bassist Stu West, who joined in 2004, has left the band. He’s being replaced by Gray, who played in The Damned from 1980 to 1983, and again in 1989 and 1996, and performed on The Black Album and Strawberries.
The band said in a statement:
“We had a great time with Stu on this long journey. We have infinite respect for him and are forever grateful for his contributions to The Damned. As a result of this mutual understanding, we respect his decision, support him wholeheartedly and wish him the best of luck and success.”
The Damned will embark on a 16-date U.K. tour in January; see dates below.
The Damned ‘Evil Spirits’ U.K. tour dates:
Jan. 26: O2 Academy, Newcastle
Jan. 27: Caird Hall, Dundee
Jan. 28: O2 Academy, Glasgow
Jan. 30: O2 Academy, Leeds
Jan. 31: Academy 1, Manchester
Feb. 1: O2 Academy, Birmingham
Feb. 3: O2 Academy, Leicester
Feb. 4: Rock City, Nottingham
Feb. 6: Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
Feb. 7: Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
Feb. 9: Great Hall, Cardiff
Feb. 10: O2 Academy, Bristol
Feb. 11: O2 Academy, Bournemouth
Feb. 13: O2 Guildhall, Southampton
Feb. 14: De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhilln
Feb. 17: O2 Forum, London
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- The Damned drafts T.S.O.L. for short ‘Hallow-East Tour’ of U.S over Halloween
- Video: The Damned rehearses 1980’s ‘Black Album’ for this fall’s 35th anniversary tour
- Damned playing ‘Damned Damned Damned,’ ‘Black Album’ on 35th anniversary tour
- The Damned cancels U.S. tour after failing to obtain visas for October concerts
Wot!
This is great news.
Just keep Captain away from the front of the stage this tour. PLEASE. Ray’s so worried about not hurting his hands to prevent him from playing the guitar yet he almost broke every other bone in his body, the silly sod.