SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE DAMNED – NOT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE

THE DAMNED
NOT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE
EARMUSIC

The Damned formed in 1976 and featured Dave Vanian (vocals), Brian James (guitar), Raymond Ian “Captain Sensible” Burns (bass), and Christopher “Rat Scabies” Millar (drums). They were actually the first ‘punk’ band to release a record. Before The Clash, Sex Pistols, and all of the other 1976 ‘punk’ bands, The Damned did it first with “New Rose.” Since then, the band has gone through member changes, but they are still going with most of the original lineup, with the exception of Brian James, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Captain Sensible has taken on guitar duties, and recent additions of Paul Gray (bass, since 1980) and Laurence “Monty Oxymoron” Burrow (keyboards since 1996).

It is this lineup that has recorded their latest album, Not Like Everybody Else, their first studio album since 2023’s Darkadelic. Not Like Everybody Else is an unusual album for The Damned, in that it is all covers. The album is dedicated to Brian James and is a tribute to him. These songs were picked by the band to represent his influences and songs he simply loved. The Damned have covered many songs in the past, but the songs on Not Like Everybody Else seem to be a little more special to the band and their founding guitarist, James.

Although the music has The Damned edge and energy, these are not ‘punk’ versions of the classic 1960s rock and roll songs. The Damned are smarter than that, and rather than just thrashing out the song, they make their own by sticking close to the original versions. There really are no surprises here. Their version of Pink Floyd’s “See Emily Play” is powerful and dark (Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason produced the second Damned album, Music For Pleasure). They also take on other 1960s hits, such as “Summer In The City” and “There’s A Ghost In My House.” Both sound fresh, energetic, and fun.

Not everything on the album is extremely well-known. The Damned cover The Seeds’ “You Must Be A Witch,” which makes total sense. And they do a fantastic and spirited version of the song. The Creation’s “Making Time” was never a hit, but The Damned do it justice with their take on the song, which is closer to heavy metal than punk. The album closes with two emotional songs that serve as brilliant tributes: The Animals’ “When I Was Young” and a rocking “The Last Time,” which features a little bit of humour.

Once again, The Damned knock it out of the park with Not Like Everybody Else. The album not only serves as a tribute to Brian James but to the band as a whole. It gives the band a chance to revisit their influences and their past, and they do it so very well. The Damned have been through a lot of changes since they made their debut almost 50 years ago, and with this album, they tap into their roots. I’m Not Like Everybody Else is a brilliant album and a new chapter in their incredible career.

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