The Damned ... united and full of renewed energy
TOM EDEN CATCHES UP WITH THE DAMNED’S PAUL GRAY AHEAD OF TONIGHT’S GIG IN NEWCASTLE
“IS IT still mad as a box of frogs up there?” asks The Damned bass player Paul Gray.
Having rejoined the band towards the end of last year, Gray will be returning to Newcastle tonight with the band for the first time since 1982 – a gig that was released as a live album.
“There had been some delay getting to Newcastle,” remembers Gray.
“It might’ve been snow, it might’ve been the band jumping out the bus at the traffic lights to go to the pub, but we arrived at the very last moment with barely any time to have a drink so I think it was one of the more sober gigs we played.”
Not long after that show, Gray left The Damned – save for the odd gig or tour during his 35-year absence.
He has stayed in touch though, and was talked into returning by founding member and guitarist Captain Sensible to help make new album Evil Spirits.
“I feel back where I belong,” he says, adding that he feels humbled by the response to his return by band members and fans alike.
The latest album, after 10 years out of the studio, has been produced by Tony Visconti – well known for his decades of work alongside the late David Bowie.
Despite never having played alongside some of the band’s ever-evolving line-up, and with no rehearsals of the new tracks, Gray seems genuinely excited about the latest material.
“It just had such an exciting, vibe-y feel; everybody playing off each other was an absolute treat.
“The variety there harks back to the Strawberries and Black Album era, in that you don’t know what the next song is going to sound like, but it will sound like The Damned.
“It was an exciting album to record and it was all very much done on the spur of the moment, which gives it that kind of joie de vivre, which I hope comes across. I’m really pleased with it, and Visconti being a bass player got me a cracking bass sound so I’ve got no complaints on that score!”
With the album now complete and set for release in April, Gray’s sights are set on the UK tour that kicks off at Newcastle’s 02 Academy tonight.
“I can’t wait to do the gig,” he says. “Everything sounds fresh and I think there’s a real renewed energy. I can just feel the excitement around this tour.”
With a back catalogue spanning five decades, there is no shortage of material to choose from, but Gray revealed their set list is yet to be decided.
“We will see. It’s The Damned, so anything could happen.”
Tickets to tonight’s gig available at www. officialdamned.com/tour. The new album, Evil Spirits, is released on March 31.