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The Damned and Hard-Ons in Sydney – photos and review

March 22, 2024

Sydney was treated to phenomenal show last night (21st March) as punk rock royalty from across the globe graced the stage of the Enmore Theatre.

Last night’s show was kicked off by legendary Australian punk rockers the Hard-Ons, who wasted no time in setting the tone for an unforgettable night of punk rock mayhem.

The Hard-Ons effortlessly commanded the attention of the auditorium with their frenzied energy, tight musicianship and stage magnetism. Serving as the supporting act in no way diminished the bands commitment to delivering a top tier performance that would leave an unforgettable mark on the crowd. Every single song was delivered with a ferocity that bordered on chaos, yet there was an irrefutable sense of tightness and precision to their performance.

The Hard-Ons proved once again why they are regarded as Australia’s most iconic punk rock bands. Their explosive live show and infectious energy are a testament to their enduring passion for their craft and music.

After the furious ruckus that was The Hard Ons the audience waited with bated breath for The Damned to come on stage. You could feel the anticipation in the venue for what would prove to be a momentous and heartfelt farewell.

The Damned are back together as their early 80’s line up of Dave Vanian (vocals), Captain Sensible (lead guitar), Paul Grey (bass), Monty Oxymoron (keys) and with the triumphant return of Rat Scabies (drums).

After a substantially influential career spanning decades, the legendary London punk rockers, were here play Sydney one final time and it was clear from the moment they stepped on stage that The Damned were determined to go out with a bang.

Vanian’s vocals have lost none of their potency captivating the room with a beautifully broad range from velvety smooth through to raspy and raw. Captain Sensible has evidently excelled his talent throughout the years effortlessly switching up his guitar work between blistering riffs and virtuosic, passionate solos. Paul Grey effortlessly wields his bass laying down iconic and timeless riffs that have become so synonymous with the genre.

Monty Oxymoron is an old hand with the keyboard and elevates the bands sound with his skill. After such a long time it was an absolute pleasure to see Rat Scabies back on the drums where he incorporates a healthy mix of precision and strength to create an extremely powerful sound.

Combined the band created an immensely raw, infectious sound that had the entire audience enthralled. From the punk anthem of their early days, “Neat Neat Neat”, to the gothic-infused ballad “Eloise”, the band illustrated the breadth and depth of their musical evolution.

As the song “Smash It Up” came on the audience begin to realise the evenings entertainment was drawing to a close. Suddenly throughout the venue you could sense a palpable feeling of both celebration and nostalgia in the air. New and old fans were witnessing The Damned’s farewell performance which came with a bittersweet reminder of the band’s surviving legacy and the profound impact they have had on the music industry and generations of music fans.

Words by Frank Pirrie, photos by Adam Davis-Powell.

Catch The Damned on tour at the following venues:

Fri, March 22: Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
Sun, March 24: Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide
Tues, March 26: Astor Theatre, Perth