In the late 70's early 80's if you were a punk fan you knew the Damned, if you were not a punk fan but were a rock fan post 1976 The Damned probably had some inlfuence on the band you were listening to. I was a fan of the Sex Pistols before the Damned but found out about them through the old Hit Parader magazine. Little known fact, in October of 1976, the group’s first single “New Rose” beat the release of the Sex Pistols’ “Anarchy in the UK,” thus earning the Damned its spot in history as the first punk group to release a single. Guns and Roses did a version on The Spaghetti Incident? He formed The Lords of the New Church in 1981 after leaving The Damned. Brian James definately was a founder of punk guitar.
I got to see The Damned in Atlanta 1991 with my wife who is a huge Damned fan. The band was little older but same spit and vinegar. Funny enough, Nirvana was playing the same venue about two weeks after the release of Nevermind. Wasn't a Nirvana fan so I passed on the show, kinda wish I had gone.
The Damned are doing a US tour in May, so I will see them one last time.
1976 promo video
2022 original band live with Brian James