Songfacts, which has been bringing you the stories behind the songs since 1999, now has a podcast. On the Songfacts Podcast, host Stephanie R. Myers speaks with songwriters and other music makers to learn about their own songs (which they often perform on the show) and explore the music that influenced them. On this fun and enlightening musical journey, you'll discover new songs across a range of genres and take a deep dive into some you know - how they're structured, what they mean, how they make us feel. Proud part of Pantheon - the podcast network for music lovers.
https://www.songfacts.com/
episode 13: The Damned Founder Rat Scabies
Before the Sex Pistols, there was The Damned, but as Rat Scabies (Chris Millar) points out, the pioneers get the arrows, the settlers get the gold.
Scabies formed The Damned in 1976 with guitarist Brian James, bass player Captain Sensible, and lead singer Dave Vanian. Their first album, released in 1977, is the punk landmark Damned Damned Damned, which as Scabies explains, took them from opening act to headliners very quickly. That year, they became the first British punk band to tour America.
In this episode, Scabies, who was with the band until 1995, recalls the London scene in the dawn of punk, when fisticuffs (sometimes encouraged by Scabies, who would leave his kit to trade blows with audience members) were a byproduct of the energy and excitement.
The Damned never tore up the charts, but they left quite a legacy with their look, sound, and performance style. They're still extant, led by Vanian and Sensible, while Scabies has moved on to a number of other projects, including the bands Professor And The Madman, and The Sinclairs.
This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.
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