The Damned - Tiki Nightmare: Live In London [2CD Set] (2003)

It was Tiki Night at the Shepherds Bush Empire, so nobody was surprised when the Captain wheeled out the dreaded 'Happy Talk'. Well, at least he had the good grace to apologise.

Nothing else that night in July 2002 required an apology, however. The 21st century Damned are a startlingly hot rock 'n' roll band, steeped in their own very surreal mix of punk, goth, psychedelia, prog and general mayhem - as befits such an influential and trailblazing group.

The Damned were the first group on the 70s UK punk scene to release a single, an album, tour the States and appear on TV. A long and chequered career has produced in some of the most exciting and collectable records in rock. Presented for the first time as an audio-visual package, Tiki Nightmare is a spectacular demonstration of theatricality, menace, humour and rock n roll brilliance from a line-up featuring founder members Dave Vanian (vocals) and Captain Sensible (guitar) alongside Patricia Morrison (bass), keyboard player Monty Oxy Moron and drummer Pinch. Whether performing tracks from their recent (at the time) Grave Disorder album or belting out fan favourites like 'New Rose', 'Neat Neat Neat', 'Smash It Up' and 'Eloise', The Damned have rarely been more compelling.