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The Damned, review, KOKO, London: Devilishly good fun

The Damned perform live: The Damned, review, KOKO, London: Outrageously good fun
The Damned perform live: The Damned, review, KOKO, London: Outrageously good fun

70s gothic punk-rock stalwarts The Damned have become, if possible, more eccentric and outrageous as they grow older, with many of their live traits coming across as delightfully raucous.

At a 40th anniversary show at London’s Koko, taking place before a bigger night down the road at The O2 Forum in Kentish Town, they run helter-skelter style through tracks from their debut Damned, Damned, Damned along with music from their upcoming new album Evil Spirits.

They have a fantastic rapport with the crowd, so much so that each comment its two frontmen make seems like an in-joke between fans (mostly clad in black leather or ripped denim).

Dave Vanian, born David Lett, appears to possess a vampiric immortality, looking far younger than his 61-years as he prowls the stage in a long coat, black leather gloves and slicked-back hair.

He belts out lyrics with his impressively sonorous voice; resplendent on the darkly rousing “Street of Dreams”, while The Damned’s other original member Captain Sensible - Raymond Burns - channels Dennis the Menace in his trademark red beret and a stripy black and red shirt.

On Smash It Up” the crowd go particularly wild and the moshpit widens; men in their forties push and shove one another with childish abandon. Returning at the end of the set, just a little out of breath, for the outrageous "Jet Boy Jet Girl", they urge their fans onto one, rollicking final frenzy. It’s all devilishly good fun.