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
Thrill Kill
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All still
Stealth calls
Cold kill
Night gloves
Black gown
Job done
Quit town
We're just having some fun
Messing round with a gun
Don't get excited
I'm just killing some time
It's a fantasy crime
And I'm living it again
Cops swarm
The scene
Detective
Is keen
Autopsy
The clue
Strobe flashing
Persued
The Damned's song "Thrill Kill" is a darkly poetic commentary on the nihilistic spirit of the late 1970s punk scene, where violent and reckless behavior often served as a form of escapist entertainment. At its core, the song is about the thrill of danger and how it can become addictive, as well as the consequences of such behavior when it inevitably goes too far.
The first verse sets the stage for a sinister night-time operation, with the singer donning black gloves and a gown as they prepare to carry out a "cold kill". There is a sense of detachment and cool calculation in the way they describe their actions, suggesting that this is not their first time carrying out such a task. The repeated refrain of "we're just having some fun" reinforces the idea that this is all done for the sheer thrill of it, with no moral or political agenda behind it.
As the narrative unfolds, the tone shifts from one of detachment to one of dread, as the police arrive on the scene and the singer realizes that they are in serious trouble. The imagery of the strobe light flashing and the detective's scrutiny add to the feeling of being caught in a trap. The final line, "living it again", suggests that this is a recurring story, that the singer and their associates have been involved in similar situations in the past and will likely continue to do so in the future.
Overall, "Thrill Kill" is a powerful example of punk's ability to confront societal taboos and explore the darker side of human nature. It's a song that is at once thrilling and disturbing, capturing the sense of nihilistic rebellion that characterized much of the punk scene in the late 70s.
Line by Line Meaning
Black night
The darkness of the night sets the mood for the events that will unfold.
All still
There is no movement or sound, adding to the eeriness of the atmosphere.
Stealth calls
The person is making quiet, secret telephone calls.
Cold kill
The murder is emotionless and calculated.
Night gloves
The person is wearing gloves, further emphasizing the secretive nature of their actions.
Black gown
They are dressed entirely in black and are going to commit a crime.
Job done
The task has been completed successfully without detection.
Quit town
The person leaves the area without being noticed or caught.
We're just having some fun
The person tries to minimize their actions and make it seem like a casual game.
Messing round with a gun
The person is playing with a dangerous weapon as part of their game.
Don't get excited
The person warns others not to overreact and take their game too seriously.
I'm just killing some time
The person has nothing better to do and is using this as a source of entertainment.
It's a fantasy crime
The person is pretending to commit a crime as part of their game.
And I'm living it again
The person has done this before and is enjoying reliving the experience.
Cops swarm
The police arrive in large numbers.
The scene
The location where the crime was committed.
Detective
The person in charge of solving the crime.
Is keen
The detective is determined to catch the person responsible.
Autopsy
The examination of the victim's body to determine what caused their death.
The clue
A piece of evidence that helps the police solve the crime.
Strobe flashing
Police lights flashing to indicate that they are pursuing someone.
Pursued
The person is being chased by the police.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@steviestewart3310
Brilliant track from a brilliant album,
@michelleguillen3969
this whole album is awesome
@Calichenao
Superb live performance !!
@allotmental.
Super album 😍
@daviddyer202
Awesome!
@miguelgutierrez2324
Audience in trance.......
@kenhughes484
Superb!
@birrafanclub8774
Where and when is this?
@ErictheACKACKTOR
..I'm A Serial Killer
@alexgiafis2719
Where the fuck is the second guitar💣😐