There are interviews that begin with a bang… and then there are interviews that begin with the entire street losing power two minutes before you hit record. Sitting in near-total darkness with only the glow of the phone light and a rapidly dying laptop for company felt strangely fitting for a conversation with Rat Scabies — the legendary heartbeat of The Damned. After all, chaos has always followed The Damned like a shadow.
As the backup power held and the laughter started flowing, Rat reflected on an astonishing fifty years of one of the most influential and unpredictable bands in rock history. From detonating the UK punk scene with New Rose and Damned Damned Damned to becoming pioneers of goth, punk and alternative rock, The Damned remain a band utterly untouched by convention — still theatrical, still dangerous, still gloriously alive.
We talk about the upcoming Australian tour, the madness and longevity of the band, surviving half a century of punk rock excess, Wembley memories, and why The Damned still sound as urgent now as they did in 1976.
Through it all, Rat remains exactly what you’d hope for: sharp, funny, anarchic and completely uncompromising. And if this really is The Final Damnation, they’re making sure they go out louder than anyone else. THE DAMNED – THE FINAL DAMNATION 50th ANNIVERSARY TOUR Iconic British punk pioneers, The Damned will bring their legendary live show to Australia and New Zealand as part of their 50th anniversary farewell celebrations.
Formed in 1976, the trailblazing group released the UK’s first ever punk single New Rose and its first album Damned Damned Damned which ignited the global punk revolution. They are, indisputably one of the most enduring and influential bands in punk, goth and alternative rock. With their dark lyrics and Dave Vanian’s rich baritone vocals, The Damned have spent five decades pushing musical boundaries. From raw, anarchic punk anthems on their groundbreaking debut to gothic rock explorations and psychedelic influences, the band has remained a vital force in rock music.
Their songs defy time and sound as vital as the day they were released. “Half a century on and who’d have thought we would still be upright and breathing? We never thought we’d make it this far and neither did you! But here we are. a finely tuned engine. The Damned still has the power and finesse to excite, entertain and accelerate into our 50th year…” – Rat Scabies
“With 50 years of catalogue to choose from, only the best songs from our chequered history will be performed – and with the passion and commitment all good music lovers deserve. You know we won’t disappoint…” – Captain Sensible
The 50th anniversary shows will be a career defining celebration, drawing from their extensive catalogue that includes classics like New Rose, Neat Neat Neat, Love Song, Smash It Up, Eloise and so much more with an epic 25 song set list delivered at the first of these shows at a sold our Wembley Arena in London on April 11. This special Australian tour built around a landmark show at The Sydney Opera House marks a major milestone for the band, which continues to deliver chaotic, theatrical, and unforgettable performances. The most definitive show of their career
THE DAMNED AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND
SEPTEMBER 2026 TOUR DATES
Tuesday 8th September AUCKLAND, Powerstation
Thursday 10th September SYDNEY, The Opera House
Friday 11th September BRISBANE, The Tivoli
Sunday 13th September MELBOURNE, The Forum
Tickets from: thephoenix.au/the-damned-2026