They are notable for being the first of the British punk bands to release a single, put out an album, and tour the United States. Their debut album, Damned Damned Damned, was released six months before The Sex Pistols' debut, Never Mind The Bollocks.
The Damned have dissolved and reformed many times, with singer Dave Vanian remaining the sole constant. They have incorporated many styles in their music, most notably garage rock, psychedelic music, the British theatrical rock of Screaming Lord Sutch and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, and New Romantic.
In addition to serving as inspiration for many of the young bands who created hardcore punk in the US, The Damned are also generally regarded as one of the founders of goth music.
Original members Dave Vanian (David Lett), Captain Sensible (Raymond Burns), and Rat Scabies (Chris Millar) were all members of the semi-legendary Masters of the Backside which included future Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde.
Original guitarist Brian James (Brian Robertson) was a member of the early punk band London SS, a unit that never played live, but whose members later found fame in bands including The Clash and Generation X. Rat Scabies was also tried as the drummer for London SS, but was rejected.
Maintaining the goth connection, between 1996 and 2004 the bass guitarist of the Damned was one-time the Sisters of Mercy / the Sisterhood / Gun Club member Patricia Morrison. Morrison married Dave Vanian in 1996 but left the band after the birth of their daughter Emily. She originally joined the band after bassist Paul Grey was injured during a concert.
Discography:
Damned, Damned, Damned – February 25, 1977 (# 36)
Music For Pleasure – November 18, 1977
Machine Gun Etiquette – November 2, 1979 (# 31)
The Black Album – October 20, 1980 (# 29)
Strawberries – October 1, 1982 (# 15)
Phantasmagoria – July 15, 1985 (# 11)
Anything – December 5, 1986 (# 40)
Not of This Earth – November 11, 1995 (Retitled I'm Alright Jack & The Beanstalk in the UK, Germany and Sweden)
Grave Disorder – August 21, 2001
So, Who's Paranoid? – October 28, 2008
Evil Spirits – April 13, 2018
Darkadelic - April 28, 2023
Fan Club
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling kind of thirsty, give me something that bites
Sure been hanging 'round here for much too long
All you crazy people waiting for my song, I said
Well, here I am
I'm just another one-night stand
Anyway, I don't know why I'm sad
Waiting for an autograph, well you must be mad
Standing in the pissing rain must be a drag
If that's what you wanna do, I won't say no
Wanna see more of me, see me after the show, I said
Well, here I am
I'm just another one-night stand
Anyway, I don't know why I'm sad
For my fan club
Well, you send me pretty flowers while I'm slashing my wrists
Read those little letters through my smashed-out mist
The dream I shock you is my nightmare
I'm the freak that's on display so stand and stare, I said
Well, here I am
I'm just another one-night stand
Anyway, I don't know why I'm sad
For my fan club
The Damned's song "Fan Club" revolves around the theme of a rockstar's relationship with their fan base, exploring the feeling of being exploited and isolated by the very people who adore them. The opening lines depict the singer's desperate need for a cigarette and something to drink, implying that the life of a rockstar is anything but glamorous. The singer expresses frustration with his fan club and their relentless hunger for his music, while feeling trapped by their expectations, leading to a sense of sadness or cynicism towards them.
The second verse of the song talks about the uncomfortable situation of dealing with overzealous fans who are willing to wait in the rain for an autograph, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. Here, the singer seems open to interacting with his fans but is still unhappy with the relentless and demanding nature of his fan base. In the final verse, the singer appears to be plagued by the darker side of his own celebrity, struggling with self-harm and mental health issues while still serving as a public spectacle for his fans.
Overall, "Fan Club" offers a unique perspective on the often-complicated relationship between musicians and their fan base, offering insight into the difficulties of balancing artistry with commercial success.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm craving for a cigarette, hey give me a light
I have an urge to smoke, could you please light one for me?
Feeling kind of thirsty, give me something that bites
I am in need of something to drink, preferably something with alcohol.
Sure been hanging 'round here for much too long
I've been here for way too long.
All you crazy people waiting for my song, I said
All the fans waiting for my song are a bit crazy.
Well, here I am
I'm here now.
I'm just another one-night stand
I'm just a temporary fling.
Anyway, I don't know why I'm sad
I don't even know why I feel sad.
For my fan club
It's because of my fans.
Waiting for an autograph, well you must be mad
You must be crazy to wait so long just for an autograph.
Standing in the pissing rain must be a drag
Standing in the rain must be tiresome.
If that's what you wanna do, I won't say no
If that's what you want to do, I won't stop you.
Wanna see more of me, see me after the show, I said
If you want to see more of me, meet me after the show.
Well, you send me pretty flowers while I'm slashing my wrists
You send me flowers while I'm harming myself.
Read those little letters through my smashed-out mist
I read the letters you send me while intoxicated.
The dream I shock you is my nightmare
The things that I do to shock you, are my own personal nightmares.
I'm the freak that's on display so stand and stare, I said
I am on display for all to see and be shocked by, so feel free to stare.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRIAN JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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DROP SOME BLUES = take some 3french blues3 pills -popular amphetamine and barbiturate drug since the '60's, see movie Quadrophenia