The Damned Live Performances Index
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The Damned: Live Performances - 1979

The list of shows for 1979 is believed to include all shows with the exception of the June / July US dates which are still unclear (lists for some years are very much 'work in progress').


Saturday 29 December 1979 - Colston Hall, Bristol

Comments: This date is now thought to be erroneous - see Comments for Bristol Colston Hall on 11 December for further details.

Saturday 22 December 1979 - Electric Ballroom, London

Set: Love Song, Second Time Around, I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Plan 9 Channel 7, Noise Noise Noise, Melody Lee, Looking At You, Born To Kill, Liar, Smash It Up, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, Neat Neat Neat, New Rose.

Comments: Support from Security Risk and The Satellites... Splodgenessabounds may also have appeared but do not feature on advertising for the show. More than one attempt at 'Liar' and a short piece of 'Public Image' played following 'So Messed Up'. The set seems to have been played straight through with no encore break (from listening to the bootleg recording of this gig) - however, apparently a review in the New Rose fanzine of years gone by [haven't seen this myself] states that (at least) 'Burglar', 'Ballroom Blitz' and another run-through of 'Love Song' actually finished the show.

Monday 17 December 1979 - Eric's, Liverpool

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Victim.

Sunday 16 December 1979 - Rock Garden, Middlesbrough

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Victim.

Saturday 15 December 1979 - City Hall, Hull

Set included: Neat Neat Neat.

Comments: Support from Victim and The Odds. One contributor to this site wrote 'The Damned came on played about 4 songs then there was a bit of a riot, fire extinguishers were set off and the stage was so wet the band couldn't play anymore. The Captain wanted to carry on but wasn't allowed, so Scabies smashed up his drums for us and handed some of it out into the crowd, my mate got a cymbal and stand. He was wankered he'd been wandering around before hand drinking spirits. A good night more memorable than if it had gone to plan'.

However, another wrote 'Your contributor must be having memory lapses. Granted, the whole thing went by in speeding blur of violence and decibels, but it was certainly not a 4 song set! They got pretty much all the way through and it was during Neat Neat Neat that things came to a head. During the rest of the evening chairs had been thrown, fights started, burning cigarette packets were thrown at one of the support bands etc etc, a part of a light was thrown down from the City Hall balcony into the pogoing throng below (it landed just behind me and so, at the age of just turned 14, it could easily have been my last gig as well as my first!). Once the sprinklers came on and the stage was wet, that was it. The drums got trashed and Vanian really lost his temper. He swung the microphone and stand into Scabies drumkit with a look like death on his face and off they went. Marvellous'.

The members of The Damned and Victim were apparently arrested when they came off stage and, after a night in the cells at Hull Police Station, charged with criminal damage of a hotel.

Friday 14 December 1979 - Porterhouse, Retford

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Victim.

Thursday 13 December 1979 - University of Aberystwyth

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Victim.

Tuesday 11 December 1979 - Colston Hall, Bristol

Set: Love Song, Second Time Around, I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Plan 9 Channel 7, Noise Noise Noise, Looking At You, Melody Lee, Smash It Up, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, Neat Neat Neat, New Rose. encore 1 - Problem Child, Feel The Pain, I Feel Alright, Liar, Summer Nights, Ballroom Blitz, I Feel Alright (reprise). encore 2 - Love Song, Pretty Vacant.

Comments: Support from Victim (Slaughter & The Dogs were indicated on some flyers for this show but are not believed to have played. They were certainly crossed out on tickets for the 9 December Wolverhampton show. It seems likely that they were the intended support when the tour was originally planned to begin on 3 November). This set was originally held as being from Bristol Colston Hall on Saturday 29 December due to a bootleg tape dated 29 December being in circulation. However, another Bristol date in December has always seemed unlikely and nothing has come to light to suggest a cancellation or rescheduling of this 11 December show. I now maintain that this set IS from the 11 December show, because during the reprise of 'I Feel Alright', Dave Vanian can clearly be heard deliberately singing an altered lyric of "out of my mind on a Tuesday night", rather than the usual "out of my mind on a Saturday night" - effectively confirming that the gig took place on a Tuesday. Afterall, it wouldn't have been 'clever' to change this lyric if the show had been on Saturday 29th.

Monday 10 December 1979 - The Apollo, Manchester

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Victim.

Sunday 9 December 1979 - Civil Hall, Wolverhampton

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Victim. A contributor to this site stated 'The tickets for the gig also stated that Slaughter and the Dogs were on the bill, but they didn't play. The tickets actually had a pencil line crossing out Slaughter's name!' Another contributor wrote – ‘This was the first non-pub gig I went to. The only songs I knew [by The Damned] were ‘Love Song’, I Just Can’t Be Happy Today’ and ‘Smash It Up’, however, they did ‘Overkill’ by Motorhead in the encore’.

Friday 7 December 1979 - New Theatre, Coventry

Setlist: Love Song, Second Time Around, I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Melody Lee, Plan 9 Channel 7, Noise Noise Noise, Looking At You, Liar, Smash It Up, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, Neat Neat Neat, New Rose.

Comments: Support from Victim. Note that the information given above is the setlist and that the actual set played may have varied.

Thursday 6 December 1979 - St. George's Hall, Bradford

Set: unknown.

Comments: Resheduled show that was originally intended for 5 December 1979 [see comments for 5 December]. Support from Victim. Although the set for this show is unknown, a contributor to this site wrote - "Think they opened with 'Love Song'. Encored with 'Pretty Vacant', for which Rat and Captain swapped instruments, as I recall".

Thursday 6 December 1979 - King's Hall, Derby

Comments: This show may be erroneous as it did not appear on later tour advertising - possibly one of the originally announced gigs that were cancelled because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments.

Wednesday 5 December 1979 - St. George's Hall, Bradford

Comments: This show was rescheduled for the following night - believed to be so that The Damned could attend at the London studio for the recording of 'I Just Can't Be Happy Today' which aired on Top Of The Pops the next day.

Tuesday 4 December 1979 - Apollo Centre, Glasgow

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Victim.

Saturday 1 December 1979 - Friar's, Aylesbury

Set: Love Song, Second Time Around, I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Melody Lee, Plan 9 Channel 7, Noise Noise Noise, Looking At You, Liar, Smash It Up, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, Neat Neat Neat, New Rose.

Comments: Support from Victim and The Beez. The above set is taken from the Friar's website - however, there is no evidence to suggest where the set was sourced from or its authenticity.

Friday 30 November 1979 - The Rainbow, London

Set included. Love Song, Second Time Around, I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Plan 9 Channel 7, New Rose, Born To Kill, Stretcher Case, Noise Noise, Noise, Looking At You, Liar, Smash It Up, Ballroom Blitz, I Feel Alright.

Comments: Support from Victim, Splodgenessabounds and Auntie Pus. Gig ended with some 'exposure' by Captain & Rat, a few seats ripped and thrown by the audience, CS throwing equipment back at the audience.

Friday 30 November 1979? - location unknown

Set: I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Smash It Up (parts 1, 2 and 3).

Comments: Not a live gig - but still a live appearance, this session was recorded for Capitol Radio.

Wednesday 28 November 1979 - Top Rank, Brighton

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Victim.

Monday 26 November 1979 - Top Rank, Sheffield

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Victim. Although precise set details are not known, a contributor to this site who attended the show wrote 'Most of Machine Gun Etiquette was played that night as they were promoting its release.

Monday 26 November 1979 - Fiesta, Plymouth

Comments: CANCELLED - Sheffield announced for that date instead.

Sunday 25 November 1979 - Top Rank, Cardiff

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Victim.

Saturday 24 November 1979 - Wirrana Stadium, Peterborough

Set possibly included: Love Song, Melody Lee, Plan 9 Channel 7, Noise Noise Noise, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, Summer Nights, Turkey Song.

Comments: Support from Victim.

Friday 23 November 1979 - Corn Exchange, Cambridge

Set: possibly included: Love Song, I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Help, Teenage Dream, Ballroom Blitz, Mew Rose, Neat Neat Neat, Pretty Vacant.

Comments: Support from Victim. The Misfits sound checked but did not play... leaving the tour. A contributor to this site wrote - 'I went to the show but didn’t have a ticket (not unusual in those days). The concert was sold out and at least 50 people (including myself) were trying to get in without tickets. There were several threats from the security trying to make us leave the area and threatening us with arrest if we didn’t move (there may have been police there as well). I didn’t get in, but parked my car at the top of the multi-storey car park which is next to the venue, where you could clearly hear the band play their set. After the band finished, I went to leave the car park but had no change to get past the barrier, so reversed in order to park and go and find some change, unfortunately, I reversed straight into a brick pillar and badly damaged the back of my car.'

Friday 23 November 1979 - Mayflower, Manchester

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Thursday 22 November 1979 - De Montfort Hall, Leicester

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from The Misfits and Victim. Gig known to have taken place. Demos tape stolen from this venue.

Wednesday 21 November 1979 - Tiffany's, Great Yarmouth

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Tuesday 20 November 1979 - Unity Hall, Wakefield

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Sunday 18 November 1979 - Top Rank, Sheffield

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Saturday 17 November 1979 - Essex University, Colchester

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Friday 16 November 1979 - Maida Vale Studios, London

Set: Plan 9 Channel 7, I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Noise Noise Noise, Drinking About My Baby.

Comments: Not a live gig - but still a live appearance, this session was recorded, in theory, for The Mike Read Radio Show. However, only 'Plan 9 Channel 7' and 'Drinking About My Baby' were aired on The Mike Read Radio Show, 'I Just Can't Be Happy Today' and 'Noise Noise Noise' actually being aired later on a different radio show. All tracks from this session would later be made commercially available to purchase.

Friday 16 November 1979 - Wirrina Stadium, Peterborough

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Tuesday 13 November 1979 - Locarno, Portsmouth

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Sunday 11 November 1979 - Locarno, Bristol

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Saturday 10 November 1979 - University, Nottingham

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Friday 9 November 1979 - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Thursday 8 November 1979 - Tiffany's, Coventry

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Wednesday 7 November 1979 - Civic Hall, Digbeth, Birmingham

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Tuesday 6 November 1979 - Rock City Studios?, Shepperton

Set: Smash It Up (part 2 only), I Just Can't Be Happy Today.

Comments: Not a live gig - but still a live appearance to a studio audience, The Damned appeared on BBC TV's Old Grey Whistle Test programme hosted by Annie Nightingale. This show was recorded early in the evening for transmission later in the evening. 'I Just Can't Be Happy Today' was curtailed following an equipment failure and the subsequent trashing of some of the equipment by Captain Sensible and Rat Scabies.

Tuesday 6 November 1979 - Winter Gardens, Cleethorpes

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Sunday 4 November 1979 - Locarno, Bristol

Comments: Rearranged for Sunday 11 November.

Saturday 3 November 1979 - Eric's, Liverpool

Comments: CANCELLED (said to be because of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' re-mixing commitments).

Saturday 27 October 1979 - The Nashville Pub, London

Set: unknown.

Comments: Pursey's Package (acts produced by Jimmy Pursey) were due to appear but The Damned were announced as replacements - playing as The School Bullies.

Friday 26 October 1979 - The Nashville Pub, London

Set: unknown.

Comments: Pursey's Package (acts produced by Jimmy Pursey) were due to appear but The Damned were announced as replacements - playing as The School Bullies.

Monday 22 October 1979 - Maida Vale Studios, London

Set: I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Smash It Up (parts 2 and 3), Liar, I'm So Bored.

Comments: Not a live gig - but still a live appearance, this session was recorded for The John Peel Radio Show and was first aired on Monday 29 October. 'I'm So Bored' was a reworking of Cream's 'I'm So Glad' and part way through morphs into a comic version of 'Cars' by Gary Numan. I'm So Bored' would soon (1980) be released on vinyl by Big Beat Records as part of the b-side of the Lively Arts 10-inch single. All tracks from this session would later appear on other comercially available releases (though not necessarily together as a full session).

Sunday 21 October 1979 - The Nashville Pub, London

Set: unknown.

Thursday 4 October 1979 - xx, England

Set: unknown.

Comments: Although there is info for this gig, it seems highly suspicious. Bad Brains were to tour with The Damned but were not allowed into the UK due to improper paperwork.

Wednesday 3 October 1979 - xx, England

Set: unknown.

Comments: Although there is info for this gig, it seems highly suspicious. Bad Brains were to tour with The Damned but were not allowed into the UK due to improper paperwork.

Friday 7 September 1979 - Bridge House, London

Set: Love Song, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Ballroom Blitz, Second Time Around, Born To Kill, Looking At You, New Rose, Noise Noise Noise, Problem Child, Neat Neat Neat, Summer Nights, Neat Neat Neat (reprise), Jet Boy Jet Girl, Pretty Vacant.

Comments: Appeared as The School Bullies. Supported by the Cockney Rejects and (probably) The 4-Skins. Due to time limitations, there was no actual encore - 'Jet Boy Jet Girl' and 'Pretty Vacant' being tackled after only a short pause from 'Neat Neat Neat'.

Tuesday 28 August 1979 - The Factory, The Russell Club, Manchester

Set: unknown.

Comments: Intended support was Nightmares in Wax. The Damned played the Russell Club on a number of occasions during 1979. Whilst the set for this date is unknown, it is known that for one of their 1979 appearance the written setlist was - Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Suicide, Melody Lee, Ballroom Blitz, Burglar, Looking At You, Problem Child, Noise Noise Noise, Second Time Around, Love Song, Born To Kill, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, New Rose, Neat Neat Neat.

Saturday 25 August 1979 - Temple More Sports Complex, Derry

Comments: CANCELLED gig that was to have seen The Damned on the same bill as The Clash and The Undertones (amongst others).

Monday 9 July 1979 - Whisky A Go-Go, Los Angeles, California

Set: unknown.

Comments: Gig know to have been played.

Sunday 8 July 1979 - Whisky A Go-Go, Los Angeles, California

Set included: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Great Big Tits, Rich Kids, Born to Kill, Looking At You, New Rose, Suicide, Noise Noise Noise, drum solo (Led Zeppelin), Do You Think I'm Sexy improvisation, Problem Child, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, Love Song.

Comments: The 'Fuck Off And Die' show. Support from The Flyboys. The set above is taken from audio cassette which cuts out just as 'Love Song' opens - hence, correct running order, but more numbers may have been played.

Saturday 7 July 1979 - The Cuckoo's Nest, Costa Mesa, California

Set: unknown.

Comments: Though the set remains unknown, there is photographic evidence 'out there' to indicate that this gig went ahead as planned.

Friday 6 July 1979 - Old Waldorf, San Francisco, California (2 Shows)

Set 1: unknown.

Set 2: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Ballroom Blitz, Born To Kill, Looking At You, New Rose, Noise Noise Noise, Problem Child, Love Song, Neat Neat Neat. encore - Pretty Vacant, I Feel Alright, No Fun.

Comments: Advertised support - Tuxedo Moon. The Damned did not leave the stage between the end of the main set above and the, so called, encore numbers. A contributor to this website wrote 'I was at the Old Waldorf show and there was indeed two shows (sets). The second show was supposed to be a separate ticket, but it was announced at the end of the first show that we could stay for the second show for no extra charge. Unfortunately, my friend couldn't stay for the second show, so we missed it, but it's the one that was available on video a few years back, showing that the Captain had a little too much to drink between sets and was very vocal during the second show. The first show was great, we were right in front and before the show we got pictures and an autograph with Rat as he was finishing his dinner in the dining area. I asked Rat to sign the autograph for me saying we were best friends, he wrote "To Bill - I hate you - Rat Scabies". Perfect!'.

Wednesday 4 July 1979 - Bookies Club 870, Detroit, Michigan

Set: unknown.

Comments: The Sillies in support. Gig known to have taken place.

Tuesday 3 July 1979 - El Mocambo Club, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Set: unknown.

Comments: Gig confirmed as having taken place. The written setlist for one of the 2 nights at the El Mocambo was - 'Jet Boy Jet Girl', 'Teenage Dream', 'Stretcher Case', 'Ballroom Blitz', 'Second Time Around', 'Burglar', 'Born To Kill', 'Looking At You', 'Melody Lee', 'New Rose', 'Suicide', 'Noise Noise Noise', 'Problem Child', 'Help', 'Stab Your Back', 'Love Song', 'Neat Neat Neat'.

Monday 2 July 1979 - El Mocambo Club, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Set included I'm Stranded.

Comments: Gig confirmed as having taken place. The written setlist for one of the 2 nights at the El Mocambo was - 'Jet Boy Jet Girl', 'Teenage Dream', 'Stretcher Case', 'Ballroom Blitz', 'Second Time Around', 'Burglar', 'Born To Kill', 'Looking At You', 'Melody Lee', 'New Rose', 'Suicide', 'Noise Noise Noise', 'Problem Child', 'Help', 'Stab Your Back', 'Love Song', 'Neat Neat Neat'. Contributor to this site, Cram Savage, stated that during the encore numbers, The Damned definitely played 'I'm Stranded' by The Saints... bassist Algy Ward being an ex-member and she having talked about being a big fan of The Saints with members of The Damned earlier.

Sunday 1 July 1979 - Stage One, Buffalo, New York

Set: unknown.

Comments: Gig confirmed as having taken place.

Friday 29 June 1979 - Stars, Philadelphia, Pennysylvania

Set: unknown.

Comments: A gig flyer from the time shows The Damned were to perform at Stars at 21:00 and 23:30. Note that this club was sometimes referred to as Starz or Starr's.

Tuesday 26 June 1979 - Hurrah, New York

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from The Misfits.

Monday 25 June 1979 - Hurrah, New York

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support advertised as The Stimulators

Sunday 24 June 1979 - The Bayou, Washington DC

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Bad Brains - Bassist Daryl was thrown out by the bouncers and the band banned.

xx June 1979 - The Showplace(?), Dover, New Jersey

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from The Mad.

Sunday 17 June 1979 - Locarno, Bristol

Set included: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Ballroom Blitz, Second Time Around, Burglar, Born To Kill, Looking At You, Melody Lee, New Rose, Suicide, Noise Noise Noise.

Comments: A contributor to this site says "The set definitely also included 'Problem Child', a cover of Deep Purple's 'Black Night', as well as a cover of 'Pretty Vacant'. The band invited a member of the audience on stage to play drums. Although the crowd was very rowdy, regular disappearances from the stage were not due to audience behaviour. At one point, Captain Sensible just walked off for some time, as he needed to have a shit (so he claimed), and just left everyone in the lurch. At another point, whilst a dry-ice machine billowed out of control, Dave Vanian crawled through a hole under the drum riser, and simply disappeared for some minutes until finally re-appearing from backstage. The whole night was quite chaotic and there was general baiting from The Ruts throughout the Damned's set (although they had done the same to The Ruts). However, both bands came on stage at the end together to perform In A Rut (I think). Auntie Pus also compered and played one or two solo songs between bands. There was another support band as well, the then barely heard of, even in Bristol, 'Vice Squad'. Flyers for the gig stated The Damned, The Ruts, plus 'Local Heroes', so presumably throughout the tour various local band supported. Sensible gave a few of his trademark rants, no doubt including one against Joe Strummer [further comment - a reference to Captain Sensible singing 'I Hate The Clash' at one point during the set]. It goes without saying that Sensible was totally naked for part of the set (many comments were made about his lack of endowment!)".

Saturday 16 June 1979 - University, Leicester

Set included: Burglar.

Comments: Support from Auntie Pus, The Spiders and The Ruts. A contributor to this site states that he saw The Damned, 'definitely on a Saturday night, at Leicester Polytechnic sometime after 'Love Song' was a hit'. He also said, 'there doesn't seem any mention of this gig on the website, so could the Leicester University one have been switched to the Polytechnic?'. However, no futher evidence has yet come to light to suggest a change of venue from, the widely advertised, Leicester University. Of the gig he gave the following account - 'I had a spare ticket and sold it on the door, The Ruts were support but we missed them because we stayed in the bar downstairs too long. A fight broke out near the stage and Dave Vanian jumped off the stage and everyone heard the 'thud, thud thud' through the speaker system as Dave smacked one of the perpetrators whilst still holding the microphone in his fist. There was huge, and I mean huge, amount of dry ice. I have vague memories of various members of the band just walking off stage at odd times. The encore ended with the band and what we thought were their roadies, but it could have been 'The Ruts', throwing horse manure at the first few rows of the audience. At first the audience just tried to avoid being hit, but once they were covered in it they had a full pitched battle with the band and also decided to throw it over their heads and, fortunately over us in the middle, onto the people at the back of the audience.Towards the end of the gig the Captain was naked apart from his guitar. I remember coming away thinking it had been more of an event than a gig'. There are in depth accounts of this incident in the excellent book 'Love In Vain - The Story of The Ruts and Ruts DC' by Roland Link, but in a brief summary, pranks between Damned and Ruts members abounded during this tour and on the way to Leicester, members of The Ruts stopped and acquired pig manure. On arrival at Leicester University they were directed to The De Montfort Hall, where they stashed the manure for later. During 'Burglar' in The Damned's performance, members of the Ruts arrived on stage with a bag of swag (the manure), which they proceeded to dump on the stage. Some members of The Damned entourage found it hilarious - others were furious. Chaos ensued with the 'shit' being thrown around, first on stage, then ending up in the audience. Apparently, after the show, members of both bands were made to return to the venue and clear up the resulting mess… which others refused to do. Another contributor wrote - 'I've been remembering my old punk days and recalling a fantastic Damned gig at Leicester University that I went to aged 17, don't think anyone believes me about the manure thing, I got covered in almost a whole sack, I was at the side of the stage after being dragged out getting crushed at the front, Dave Vanian grabbed a sack and headed towards me, rather gleefully I may add, and emptied a load over my head! it was a complete riot and much fun, remains the best punk gig I ever went to'.

Friday 15 June 1979 - Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke

Set included: Burglar

Comments: Support from Auntie Pus, Discharge and The Ruts. In Roland Link's book 'Love In Vain - The Story of The Ruts and Ruts DC', Ruffy of The Ruts claims that 'There is one song in The Damned's set in which Rat sang lead vocals, 'Burglar'. Usually I did the band a favour and sat-in on drums for this song. It's was decided that I would wear a vicious looking thug / burglar mask while playing [at this show], thus taking the piss out of Rat's song behind his back'.

Thursday 14 June 1979 - King George's Hall, Blackburn

Set included: Love Song, Neat Neat Neat, New Rose, Suicide, Noise Noise Noise, Burglar.

Comments: Support from The Ruts, IQ Zero and Auntie-Pus. 'Pretty Vacant' may also have been played with the Captain on drums. A contributor to the site stated 'Captain Sensible did the encore completely nude, as I believe he did on every gig of this tour. Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, even this couldn't save them from being completely outclassed by The Ruts on this occasion'.

Wednesday 13 June 1979 - Civic Hall, Digbeth, Birmingham

Set: probably included: Second Time Around, Looking At You, Burglar, Suicide, Love Song, Neat Neat Neat, New Rose.

Comments: Gig known to have taken place. Support from Auntie Pus, Dung Beetles and The Ruts. A contributor to this site stated 'As well as the Ruts, Auntie Pus played a few songs and the Dung Beetles also played'.

Tuesday 12 June 1979 - Kinema Ballroom, Dunfermline

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from The Dialects, Activan and The Ruts - and a brief appearance from Auntie Pus. Activan were 'The Local Heroes'. 'The Local Heroes' was not the name of a particular band, it was merely an indication that a second support slot was available to a local band. Local bands were encouraged by The Damned (or their management) to write to the Dunfermline Press to offer their services and a random name was 'drawn from a hat'. In the case of this date, Activan were chosen. Dr D Wayne Love of The Dialects recalls that his group managed to blag first support and... 'The Kinema was a crazy place. They put a thin piece of string across the front of the stage and these really big lumps [the bouncers] just stood there. Not one punk touched that string or tried to get on stage'.

Tuesday 12 June 1979 - Tiffany's, Edinburgh

Comments: No longer clear where this information came from, other than a vague reference on a website containing gigs that supposedly took place at Tiffany's. However, knowing that The Damned played the Kinema Ballroom on this date, it is assumed to be a planned show that did not take place.

Monday 11 June 1979 - Sheffield, Top Rank

Set: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Ballroom Blitz, Second Time Around, Burglar, Born to Kill, Looking At You, Melody Lee, New Rose, Suicide, Noise Noise Noise, So Messed Up, Love Song, Neat Neat Neat. encore - Pretty Vacant, I Feel Alright, Overkill, All The Young Dudes, I'm So Bored, I Feel Alright (reprise).

Comments: Support from Auntie Pus, Artery and The Ruts.

Sunday 10 June 1979 - Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Auntie Pus, The Nipple Erectors and The Ruts. Gig confirmed as having taken place. One contributor to this site wrote - 'I went and there was a bit of agro, mainly in the form of football chanting. I was standing centre stage a little way back when the crowd parted with loud football chants of “Luton” from one side and “Hemel” from the other side. Without moving, I came to be standing on my own with no one around me. The Damned were mid-set at the time, Vanian didn’t have a clue what was going on, and the track they were playing almost fell apart. Vanian then points at me and says “You with the glasses, get chanting”, while he looked around very nervously. Fortunately the crowd joined as one again, but there was some fighting in the bar area.'

Friday 8 June 1979 - Pavilion, West Runton, Cromer

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Auntie Pus, The Painkillers and The Ruts. Apparently Paul Fox of the Ruts played bass on 'Love Song' after Algy Ward stormed off.

Wednesday 6 June 1979 - The Rex Hotel, Whitley Bay

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Auntie Pus and The Ruts. Shaun Hailes on Facebook says this was a cancelled show (?) (due to Cap peeing on stage another night).

Monday 4 June 1979 - Routes, Exeter

Set included: Ballroom Blitz, Black Night (?), Jet Boy Jet Girl, Stretcher Case, New Rose, Love Song, Pretty Vacant.

Comments: Support from Auntie Pus and The Ruts - Malcolm Owen split his head open on a crash cymbal, when a 'headbutting the cymbal stunt' goes wrong and he hits the edge of the cymbal, resulting in a short set from The Ruts and hospital treatment for Malcom Owen. The Damned end-up dedicating 'Stretcher Case' to Malcolm during their set.

Sunday 3 June 1979 - Guildhall, Portsmouth

Comments: CANCELLED.

Friday 1 June 1979 - Village, Newport (Shropshire)

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Auntie Pus and The Ruts.

Thursday 31 May 1979 - Winter Gardens, Malvern

Set included: Pretty Vacant.

Comments: Support from Auntie Pus and The Ruts.

Monday 30 April 1979 - Moonlight Club, London

Set included: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Ballroom Blitz, Stab Your Back, Noise Noise Noise.

Comments: The band played as The School Bullies. Support from Lightning Raiders.

Sunday 29 April 1979 - The Greyhound, Croydon

Comments: Rearranged gig originally intended for 1 April - then rearranged again for 22 April!

Saturday 28 April 1979 - Puck Pool Leisure Centre, Ryde, Isle of Wight

Set included: Summer Nights.

Comments: Support from Pump House Gand and Thin Red Line.

Thursday 26 April 1979 - The Sandpiper, Nottingham

Set included: Help, New Rose, Da Ya Think I'm Sexy, Ballroom Blitz, Summer Nights.

Comments: Evidence that the gig took place supported by photographs taken at the time. The gig is believed to be the same date as a Nottingham radio broadcast. A contributor to this site wrote "The first support act was a local Nottingham punk band called Menticide - not the band from Iceland, but a much better earlier band from Southwell in Nottinghamshire. I was in that band. The second was a single bloke who stood up and played a guitar and his act was called something like Octopussy. Can't remember anything else about him apart from the fact that he used my guitar and got covered in gob!" [editorial note - assumed to be Auntie Pus].

Sunday 22 April 1979 - The Greyhound, Croydon

Set: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Ballroom Blitz, Problem Child, Burglar, Looking At You, Noise Noise Noise, Love Song, Second Time Around, Born To Kill, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, New Rose, Neat Neat Neat. encore - I Feel Alright, Black Night, Pretty Vacant, Shakin' All Over, New Rose.

Comments: Intended support from The Ruts. However, The Ruts are known to have played the same bill as Adam and The Ants and Essential Logic at The Lyceum on this night. It is assumed the confusion, and the dual advertising for The Ruts that night in the music press, came from the alteration to The Damned date (this show had been rearranged twice - originally intended for 1 April and later 29 April). There is a dedication to "The Piranhas out there" prior to 'Born To Kill', so it seems possible that band supported (though this could just be a red herring). Other information shows Auntie Pus and The Nips as the support. A short piece of Rod Stewart's 'Do You Think I'm Sexy' preceded 'Burglar'. There were problems during the gig with fighting breaking out and skinheads getting on stage.

Saturday 21 April 1979 - Witcombe Lodge, Gloucester

Set included: Pretty Vacant.

Comments: Though one contributor to this site suggested that The Ruts supported The Damned at this show, other contributors have stated categorically that support was from The Dead Airmen, English Subtitles and King of Dub Sound System... not The Ruts.

Thursday 19 April 1979 - Troubadour, Port Talbot

Set: unknown.

Comments: A contributor to this site has stated that The Ruts supported this night.

Wednesday 18 April 1979 - Town Hall, High Wycombe

Set: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Ballroom Blitz, Born to Kill, Burglar, Melody Lee, Problem Child, Looking At You, Love Song, So Messed Up, New Rose, Neat Neat Neat.

Comments: Supported by The Ruts, The Beez and Auntie Pus. No encore was played due to running out of time.

Tuesday 17 April 1979 - Market Hall, Carlisle

Comments: Intended date that was called off following a local council decision.

Saturday 14 April 1979 - Eric's, Liverpool

Sets: unknown.

Comments: Supported by Toyah.

Thursday 12 April 1979 - Talk of The Town, Ilfracombe

Set: unknown.

Thursday 12 April 1979 - Grannies, Cardiff

Comments: Gig rearranged for 3 April.

Wednesday 11 April 1979 - 400 Club, Torquay

Set: unknown.

Comments: A contributor to this site wrote "I was 15 at the time, I can remember support was from Auntie Pus, he got badly treated by the local punks and received a hail of gob for his efforts. After a few songs he got fed up and exposed himself to the audience, to cheers of appreciation. The Damned were extraordinary live, a blistering set, so much energy and great songs. Finished off with some Sex Pistols numbers, Pretty Vacant and Anarchy In The UK. I heard later that the band went for a midnight swim with some fans in the sea afterwards."

Tuesday 10 April 1979 - Barbarella's, Birmingham

Set included: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Pretty Vacant.

Comments: A contributor to the site wrote 'The night started with Captain Sensible singing Jet Boy Jet Girl (wearing yellow fireman's trousers and a union jack as I recall)' and another 'The place was heaving as it was advertised as the Damned (rather than previous 'Doomed' shows) and the Peel session had been aired for a second time and 'Love Song' was about to be issued. Another contributor has stated that The Ruts supported this night.

Wednesday 9 April 1979 - Smartyz, Chester

Set included: Jet Boy Jet Girl, New Rose, Neat Neat Neat, Stab Your Back, Problem Child, Stretcher Case, Summer Nights, Burglar, Pretty Vacant, Love Song, Melody Lee.

Comments: Intended support from Amsterdam. Opening number was 'Jet Boy Jet Girl'. Set also believed to have included 'Looking At You'. The soundcheck included 'Watching The Detectives' and 'Love Song'.

Sunday 8 April 1979 - Lyceum, London

Set: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Ballroom Blitz, Melody Lee, Suicide, New Rose, Looking At You, Problem Child, Love Song, Born To Kill, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, New Rose, Neat Neat Neat, I Feel Alright.

Comments: Also on the bill - The UK Subs & The Specials. Evidence from a bootleg recording of this show suggests that there was no original intention to play 'New Rose' twice, but it was played again due to sound problems when initially performed.

Saturday 7 April 1979 - The Factory, The Russell Club, Manchester

Sets: unknown.

Two performances - 'Kids Show 5.30-7.00', 'Big Kids 8.30-1.00'. Support from The Ruts. The Damned played the Russell Club on a number of occasions during 1979. Whilst the set for this date is unknown, it is known that for one of their 1979 appearance the written setlist was - Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Suicide, Melody Lee, Ballroom Blitz, Burglar, Looking At You, Problem Child, Noise Noise Noise, Second Time Around, Love Song, Born To Kill, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, New Rose, Neat Neat Neat.

Friday 6 April 1979 - Porterhouse, Retford

Set: unknown.

Comments: Intended support was The Void.

Thursday 5 April 1979 - Star and Garter, Yarmouth

Set included: New Rose, Neat Neat Neat.

Comments: The similarity between named venues for this Yarmouth gig suggests that the gig was not rearranged but, instead, corrected. A contributor to this site wrote 'This gig was organised by the Yarmouth college students union. I remember the SU secretary checking a list of bands with me for gigs to book and I recommended The Damned and telling him it would sell out - it did! It was a fantastic gig including 'New Rose' and 'Neat Neat Neat' and Rat Scabies doing a drum solo with his head!'. Another contributor wrote 'I can confirm the date given for the gig at the Star & Garter (later named Rosie's) on the seafront as correct - I have an autographed ticket £1.75'.

Thursday 5 April 1979 - Stars & Stripes, Yarmouth

Comments: Later announced for the Star and Garter.

Wednesday 4 April 1979 - Crocs, Raleigh

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from The Vicars. Likely that this Crocs gig was the one where they opened with a cover of Lulu's 'Shout', then Captain's amp blew up.

Tuesday 3 April 1979 - Grannies, Cardiff

Set included: Melody Lee, Summer Nights, Pretty Vacant.

Comments: Support from Victimize. Show originally intended for 12 April but rearranged. Gig stopped temporarily by the police as the noise was disturbing the customers in the porn cinema downstairs.

Sunday 1 April 1979 - Greyhound, Croydon

Comments: CANCELLED - rearranged for 29 April.

Saturday 31 March 1979 - Rock Garden, Middlesbrough

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Basczax.

Friday 30 March 1979 - College of Education, Hull

Set: unknown.

Thursday 29 March 1979 - Northbreck Castle, Blackpool

Comments: CANCELLED.

Monday 12 March 1979 - The Bridge House, Canning Town, London

Set: unknown.

Comments: Appeared as The School Bullies. Support from The Tickets.

Saturday 10 March 1979 - Railway Hotel, West Hampstead, London

Set: unknown.

Comments: Appeared as The School Bullies. Support from The Tickets.

Friday 23 February 1979 - Edgehill College, Ormskirk

Set: unknown.

Monday 19 February 1979 - Winter Gardens, Cleethorpes

Set: unknown.

Comments: 1) Basczax in support. Apparently, the blue fluffy jumper worn by Captain Sensible on the 'Love Song' single sleeve and numerous TV appearances, was stolen from the Basczax dressing room. 2) Exit (later became The What) supporting.

Saturday 3 February 1979 - The Factory, Russell Club, Manchester

Set: unknown.

Comments: The Damned played the Russell Club on a number of occasions during 1979. Whilst the set for this date is unknown, it is known that for one of their 1979 appearance the written setlist was - Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Suicide, Melody Lee, Ballroom Blitz, Burglar, Looking At You, Problem Child, Noise Noise Noise, Second Time Around, Love Song, Born To Kill, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, New Rose, Neat Neat Neat.

Friday 2 February 1979 - Polytechnic, Wolverhampton

Set: unknown.

Comments: Support from Radio Stars. Apparently the set opened with 'Pretty Vacant' as a tribute to Sid Vicious who had been found dead earlier that day.

Friday 2 February 1979 - Rollerdrome, Wolverhampton

Comments: Although the gig was originally intended for the Rollerdrome, it was switched to the Polytechnic.

Saturday 27 January 1979 - Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow

Set: unknown.

Friday 26 January 1979 - Sandpiper, Nottingham

Set: unknown.

Saturday 20 January 1979 - Erics, Liverpool (2 performances)

Set included: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Ballroom Blitz, Problem Child, Love Song, Looking At You, Born To Kill, Melody Lee, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, Neat Neat Neat, New Rose. encore - I Feel Alright, Black Night.

Comments: Two shows were played... a matinee being included for teenagers. Support was intended to be Malchix - but whether for both performances, or not, is unclear. Set believed to be incomplete because members of The Damned are discussing "what can we do?" [ next ] as the taped recording finishes. Although the set above is known to have been played, in that order, it is unclear whether this is the afternoon or the evening set or whether the set was identical for both performances.

Sunday 14 January 1979 - Foxes At The Greyhound, Croydon

Set included: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Teenage Dream, Stretcher Case, Ballroom Blitz, Problem Child, Love Song, Looking At You, Born To Kill, Second Time Around, Melody Lee, Help, Stab Your Back, So Messed Up, Neat Neat Neat, New Rose. encore - Pretty Vacant, Burglar, Black Night, I Feel Alright.

Comments: Advertised support was The Heroes. Gig originally intended to be 24 December 1978 but rearranged first to 7 January 1979 and finally 14 January. Free copies of the single Love Song / Burglar given away at this gig and the last 'Doomed' gig (23 December 1978). The set given above is in the correct running order, but the tape this was sourced from cuts out before the end of 'I Feel Alright', and it is therefore possible that further numbers were played.

Friday 12 January 1979 - Porterhouse, Retford

Set: unknown.

Thursday 11 January 1979 - Hope & Anchor, London

Set: unknown.

Wednesday 10 January 1979 - Hope & Anchor, London

Set probably included: Jet Boy Jet Girl, Stretcher Case, Problem Child, Fan Club, Help, Black Night, Pretty Vacant, Public Image, Stab Your Back, New Rose.

Comments: Support from The Nipple Erectors.

Sunday 7 January 1979 - The Greyhound, Croydon

Comments: Rearranged gig from 24 December that was also subsequently cancelled (due to venue redecorations) and then rearranged for 14 January.

Saturday 6 January 1979 - The Venue, London (Speedball Benefit)

Set included: Jet Boy Jet Girl (opener), Teenage Dream, Born To Kill, New Rose, Pretty Vacant, I Feel Alright and Summer Nights (ended the set).

Comments: Benefit show for French promoter Marc Zermati - the man behind the Mont De Marsan gigs. Venue originally intended to be The Electric Ballroom. Gig advertised as The Damned, Dave Edmunds' Rockpile, Tyla Gang and Dr Feelgood members, amongst others. On the night, Ducks Deluxe opened but even with the additional hour that was available due to the change of venue, the Tyla Gang and Dr Feelgood did not play due to time limitations.

Saturday 6 January 1979 - Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Speedball Benefit)

Comments: 'Speedball' benefit show for French promoter Marc Zermati - the man behind the Mont De Marsan gigs. Location changed 'at the last minute' to The Venue.


The Damned Live Performances Index
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