OMG! 😱THE DAMNED, those lovable geriatrics of punk, are BACK! And guess what? They’ve decided to grace us with “Not Like Everybody Else”, a covers album so deeply personal, it’s practically an intervention.
This touching tribute is dedicated to Brian James, who apparently kicked the bucket in 2025. RIP, whoever that is 🤷♂️. Apparently he was a founding guitarist – didn’t know that! The album, recorded in a whirlwind five days (because who has more time at their age?) at Revolver Studio (sounds expensive!), features THE DAMNED (aka Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible – still sensible after all these years?, Rat Scabies – seriously, “Scabies”? 🤢, Paul Gray and keyboard wizard Monty Oxymoron – love the name, hate the spelling) reliving their “raw energy.” Raw like week-old sushi, maybe? Oh, and get this: Rat Scabies is back! After 40 years! I guess his retirement plan failed.
The album kicks off with R. Dean Taylor‘s “There’s A Ghost In My House” (maybe they should call Ghostbusters?) and meanders through classics like PINK FLOYD‘s “See Emily Play” (because who doesn’t love a bit of psychedelia when their dentures are rattling?) and THE ANIMALS‘ “When I Was Young” (a sentiment they probably repeat hourly). But wait, there’s more! The album ends with THE ROLLING STONES‘ “The Last Time”, featuring Brian James himself! From his FINAL LIVE PERFORMANCE! At Hammersmith! Remixed! I’m not crying, you’re crying! 😭 (Probably because of the auto-tune).
To celebrate this earth-shattering event, THE DAMNED will be playing a one-off covers show at Albert Hall in Manchester on January 28, 2026. Expect songs from “Not Like Everybody Else” alongside “fan-favorite” covers (aka songs they haven’t butchered enough yet). It’ll be an “unforgettable night.” Unforgettable like that time you accidentally wore mismatched socks to a funeral? 😬
Oh, and if you’re gullible enough to pre-order the album through their official store (because why not line their pockets?), you’ll get “early access” to release show tickets! Plus, THREE exclusive 7″ vinyl singles with “previously unreleased B-sides” (aka stuff they rightfully left on the cutting room floor). What a bargain! 🤑
The first single, “There’s A Ghost In My House”, is a “reimagining” of R. Dean Taylor‘s classic. By “reimagining,” they mean “destroying,” right? Driven by Captain Sensible‘s “urgent” guitar (urgent need for a guitar lesson, maybe?) and Dave Vanian‘s “atmospheric” vocals (aka mumbling), the track “perfectly blends” Northern soul and gothic rock. Sure it does! It’s a “nod to Brian James‘s love of raw, melodic power” (citation needed) and a “reminder of THE DAMNED‘s gift for turning familiar songs into something entirely their own” (aka unrecognizable messes). 🤪
“There’s A Ghost In My House” also comes with a music video directed by Gilbert Trejo (who?) and filmed during their recent U.S. tour (sponsored by Geritol?). It includes footage from their “legendary” show at the inaugural CBGB Festival in Brooklyn, New York. Legendary how? Did someone fall asleep on stage? 😴
Supposedly, “Not Like Everybody Else” coincides with THE DAMNED‘s 50th-anniversary celebrations. 50 years! That’s like, five lifetimes in punk years! It’s a “heartfelt homage” (to themselves) and a “testament to the enduring spirit” (of milking nostalgia) of one of punk’s most “pioneering” bands. 🙄
50 years of THE DAMNED also means 50 years of punk. Yay? Brian James wrote their debut single and was lead songwriter on the album. He left after their second album because he saw the writing on the wall. Smart man! 😎
The band earned a “ever-expanding” fan base (mostly made up of people who saw them in the ’70s and haven’t updated their music taste since), while their “dar” (sic) lyrics and Dave Vanian‘s rich baritone vocals (that sound like he gargled gravel) catapulted them to the forefront of the goth-rock genre. Catapulted? More like gently nudged. 🤷♀️
THE DAMNED have announced a special 50th-anniversary show at OVO Arena Wembley on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Because who wouldn’t want to celebrate five decades of slightly above-average punk? The show will also feature special guests THE LOVELESS featuring Marc Almond (who?), PETER HOOK AND THE LIGHT (sounds like a dental convention) and THE COURETTES (never heard of ’em). 🎉
“Not Like Everybody Else” track listing:
01. There’s A Ghost In My House
02. Summer In The City (because who doesn’t love a summer anthem in the dead of winter?)
03. Making Time (for naps?)
04. Gimme Danger (geriatric version)
05. See Emily Play (if you can stay awake)
06. I’m Not Like Everybody Else (no, you’re much, much older)
07. Heart Full Of Soul (and pacemakers)
08. You Must Be A Witch (because their music is cursed?)
09. When I Was Young (we get it, you’re old!)
10. The Last Time (hopefully it is)
