 |
DAVID VANIAN
Vocals/Theramin
Born David Letts on October 12, 1958
Vanian has been the only official singer for The Damned since they formed in 1976. He is the only member
that appears on every studio release and to this day is still part of the new lineup. He is the voice and without him it would
and could never be The Damned. He's been widely credited as the Godfather of Goth and was known to loyally stick to his
vampire lifestyle on stage and off. Wickedly handsome yet extremely private he makes the perfect mysterious front man. His
personal life is definately not an open book by conscious choice, even avoiding contributing to The Damned biography "The
Light At The End Of The Tunnel". He also works on side projects, most notably The Phantom Chords.
CAPTAIN SENSIBLE
Guitar
Born Ray Burns on April 24, 1954 in Belham, London
Original founder who started on the bass but moved to guitar after the departure of Brian James. He appears
on all studio albums except three; "Phantasmagoria", "Anything" and "I'm Alright Jack and The Beanstalk". He had a number one
solo UK hit with the single Happy Talk as a side project during The Damned. He is known for his outrageous outfits and class
clown attitude that sometimes out shadows the other members. He is currently part of the newest lineup where only he and
Vanian are original members.
PATRICIA MORRISON
Bass
Born January 14, 1962 in Los Angeles, California
Started playing the bass at the age of 16 and joined her first band called Femme Fatale, which never played
live. Started the band The Bags in 1976 and departed in 1981 joining Legal Weapon. The Gun Club, formed in 1980 by Jeffrey Lee
Pierce and Kid Congo, was the next band Patricia joined in 1982 until 1984. Legendary Stardust Cowboy and Fur Bible were the
next two bands before joining the most commercial band to date, The Sisters of Mercy, at request of friend Andrew Eldritch. In
1988 The Sisters of Mercy had 3 songs put to video and reach the Top 40 singles chart; Dominion, This Corrosion and Lucretia My
Reflection. Years later in 1994 she released a solo album called Reflect On This by The Patricia Morrison Band. Patricia joined
The Damned in 1996 after Paul Gray quit. She is married to David Vanian.
ANDREW "PINCH" PINCHING
Drums
Previous bands include The English Dogs and Jansu Stark. Replaced Spike in September 1999.
MONTY OXY MORON
Keyboards
Previous bands include Punk Floyd and Dr Spacetoad Experience with Captain Sensible and during the 1980's released
a few solo projects. Joined the band in early 1996.
RAT SCABIES
Drums
Born Chris Millar on July 30, 1955 in Kingston Upon Thames
A founding member of The Damned he quit for a short time in 1977 and rejoined when they formed again in 1978. He is
the drummer for all studio albums except the most recent "Grave Disorder". He split with The Damned after a disagreement with David
Vanian over the release of the album "It's Alright Jack and The Beanstalk". He is a huge part of The Damned history and a major
contributing force musically and a personality not easily replaced or ever forgotten.
KRIS DOLLIMORE
Guitar
A member of The Major Setback band at the age of 16 Kris went on to become part of The Godfathers, Adam Ant and
more currently in Scottish band Del Amitri. He played guitars for The Damned during the "It's Alright Jack and The Beanstalk" album.
ALAN LEE SHAW
Guitar
Previously played with The Rings, The Physicals and Brian James and the Brains to name a few. He joined The Damned
along with Kris Dollimore and Moose in 1993 until January 1995. Contributed to the album "I'm Alright Jack and The Beanstalk".
MOOSE
Bass
Real name Jason Harris. Joined The Damned the same time as Kris Dollimore and Allan Lee Shaw in 1993 and left in
July 1995. Previous member of New Model Army, Atom Heart Mother and Pants.
BRYN MERRICK
Bass
Born October 12, 1958 in Barry, South Wales
A former member of the band Victimize, as was Roman Jugg, he was quickly hired to replace the vacant space left
by Paul Gray for their March 1983 club tour. Played bass on the studio albums "Phantasmagoria" and "Anything".
ROMAN JUGG
Keyboards/Guitar/Vocals
Born July 15, 1957 in Caerphilly, South Wales
An acquaintance of Paul Gray he was originally hired late 1981 recording various projects for
The Damned. In 1982 Roman, along with Dave Vanian, Rat Scabies and Bryn Merrick created Naz Nomad & The Nightmares
releasing the single "Just Call Me Sky" for a compilation called The Whip. A full album by Naz was recorded
during 1983/1984 covering 60's tunes and called "Give Daddy The Knife Cindy". Roman's alias during his Naz gigs
was Sphinx Svenson.
After Captain left the band in 1984 Roman moved from keyboards to main guitar and became a full member on the studio
albums "Phantasmagoria" and "Anything".
After the 1989 breakup of The Damned he continued to work with Dave Vanian and Bryn Merrick forming The Phantom Chords.
A studio album called "David Vanian and the Phantom Chords" was released in 1995.
After an absence of 9 years Roman has returned in May 2004 and released a new solo album called "Papa Loco".
PAUL GRAY
Bass
Born August 1, 1958 at Rochford, Essex
Recruited from Eddie and The Hot Rods early 1980 to replace Algy Ward on bass. Contributed to two albums,
"The Black Album" and "Strawberries" but abruptly left the band in February 1983 due to discontent and the desire to do
something different. After The Damned he joined UFO and remained until their split in 1987.
ALASDAIR "ALGY" WARD
Bass
Born July 7, 1959 in Croydon
Hired late 1978 at the age of 19 to play bass when Captain Sensible returned to lead guitar now that Brian
James wasn't returning. Only contributed to the album "Machine Gun Etiquette" and was let go after the November/December
1979 British tour due to problems with Rat and a slipping ability to play well.
ROBERT "LU" EDMUNDS
Guitar
Born September 24, 1957 in Welwyn, Herts
Hired August 1977 as a second guitarist by Brian James amid protests of the rest of The Damned. Only appeared on
one studio album, Music For Pleasure, and toured with the band in support. When the band split in early 1978 he, along with Brian James,
didn't return for the next lineup.
BRIAN JAMES
Guitar
Born February 18. 1955 (or earlier) in Hammersmith, London
A founding member, Brian played lead guitar and wrote all the lyrics for the first two studio albums, except the
covers songs of course. His control over all the song writing began to alienate the rest of the band. After the 1978 breakup he
never returned to the lineup.
JON MOSS
Drums
Previous drummer with Eskimo Norbert, briefly with The Clash and then the band London. But most notable for his stint with Culture Club.
Filled in on live shows after Rat quit in late 1977 and before the first band breakup early 1978.
LEMMY KILMISTER
Bass
A friend of the band he filled in on bass during The Doomed period. Most notable for his band Motorhead.
GARY HOLTON
Vocals
Filled in on vocals for late 1978 Scotland gigs after Dave Vanian didn't turn up the day the band were due to leave.
The band made it through these gigs by telling the audience that Vanian had died and the gigs were a memorial to him. This made the
crowds more willing to see The Damned without it's singer.
HENRY BADOWSKI
Bass
A friend of Captain Sensible, Henry played bass for a dozen or more Doomed gigs around Britain but quit the band after
never fully fitting in. Prior to The Doomed he played with Chelsea, Wreckless Eric and King.
PAUL SHEPLEY
Keyboards
Toured on the Phantasmagoria tour on keyboards.
ROBERT FRIPP
Guitar
Guitarist for King Crimson and collaborated with The Damned on Fun Factory that was originally intended to be released
as a single for Bronze.
LOL COXHILL
Sax
Brought in to play sax on the track "You Know" from the "Music For Pleasure" LP and various live gigs. A legend in
the jazz world he had played with musicians like Evan Parker and Anthony Braxton.
SPIKE SMITH
Drums
Replaced Garrie Dreadful in 1999 on drums but left The Damned at the end of the year to play for Morrissey.
GARRIE DREADFUL
Drums
Replaced Rat Scabies in 1996. Garrie was replaced in March 1999 by Spike Smith.
|
|
|
