The Damned talk ahead of Birmingham gig: We behave ourselves these days - well, most of the time

They kick-started 2018 by announcing extra dates on their Evil Spirits tour; due to popular demand the band has announced an extra London date in addition to their headline performance at The Forum on February 17. They will now also play Koko on February 16. Main support on the tour is from fabled Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom, while American operatic-punk performer Kristeen Young will open the show at Koko.

Also joining the tour is former The Damned bass player Paul Gray, he takes over from Stu West. Paul was part of the band for two albums during the early-80s and has also played with legends such as Eddie And The Hot Rods, Johnny Thunders, UFO and Rob Tyner from the MC5 throughout his career.

News of his reunion with the band was greeted with much excitement from The Damned’s dedicated fanbase.

“I wasn’t the best bassist in the band . . . by a long way,” laughs Captain Sensible, the lead guitarist.

“That was Paul, The Damned, Eddie & The Hot Rods, UFO; listen to that playing, the bloke is a master of his instrument and it’s great to have him back for the tour.”

Having last released new material in 2008 with their So, Who’s Paranoid? album, 2018 will see the unveiling of a hugely-anticipated new album.

It was recorded in New York with legendary producer Tony Visconti, who has worked with David Bowie, T-Rex, Morrissey, U2, The Stranglers, Iggy Pop and Thin Lizzy to name but a few. The band has signed a new deal with Search And Destroy/Spinefarm Records and is set to impress fans once again with their dizzying blend of high-energy punk rock, creative psychedelic pop and classic songwriting.

“Our new Tony Visconti produced album, as with all previous The Damned records, very much has its own sound,” continues Captain Sensible. “We’re looking forward to having an element of that mixed in with the old faves.”

The Damned will play Birmingham’s O2 Academy on Thursday as part of their tour. It’s a city that Captain loves.

“I remember Rebecca’s and Barbarellas . . . we had some good times at those venues. Steve Gibbons would be in attendance to help us drink the dressing room booze – I recall some fairly wild gigs.

“That was punk’s heyday, of course, we behave ourselves these days. Well, most of the time anyway. I eventually got fed up with getting thrown out of hotels at some ungodly hour and spending the rest of the night in the cells. Somehow it just seemed normal at the time.”

The band remains enduringly popular and the Captain finds it remarkable that they have enjoyed such longevity.

“We were making it up as we went along. I guess after our founder Brian James left in 1978 we were considered to be sunk. But amazingly Dave, Rat and myself found we could all write songs. Well, we were desperate and penniless and that focuses the mind. I certainly didn’t fancy going back to cleaning toilets with Croydon Council, despite the regular wages.

“No, a band like The Damned should’ve crashed and burned after making the first album, died or something; become instant legends. But we didn’t, we are still here and enjoying what I see as our job spreading a bit of joy around this daft and occasionally depressing old planet.

“We’ve got nothing to prove anymore, but I’d certainly not like to be quitting while The Stones are still on the road. That would be a letdown of massive proportions for punk rock.”

Captain has enjoyed solo success, most particularly with Happy Talk, during a remarkable career. He’s glad for everything.

“Well, if avoiding ever having to go back to doing an honest day’s work for a living was my goal then Happy Talk was a blessing.

“Mornings were never my thing, I could never get to work on time. But on the other hand I came alive in the evening – finding I was particularly good at causing a bit of chaos. So thus was in pole position when punk came along.

“A few years later, armed with a cassette full of demos, The Damned-rejects basically, I surprised myself by getting a solo record deal. And unbelievably within a few weeks I was on Top Of The Pops.

“With Sensible solo success at its mid-80s height, it became physically impossible to do that and while working with my The Damned colleagues I quit the punk scene for a while but had a good run at the pop game and made the most of it while it lasted.”