Like a lot of early punk bands, The Damned seemed destined to flame out quickly. In fact, the London group first broke up in 1978, two years after forming, after the commercial and critical failure of its second album, Music for Pleasure, but reunited just a year later, the first in a long series of break-ups, hiatuses, reunions and line-up changes. Over the course of 40-plus years, the goth-punk band has featured a rotating roster of musicians, and always led by vocalist Dave Vanian.
Early on, The Damned were part of the first wave of U.K. punk, along with acts like The Sex Pistols and The Clash, but their sound evolved to include more melodic and gothic elements, and their influence on later goth bands is just as significant as their influence on the punk and hardcore scenes. Earlier this year, the band released its 11th studio album, Evil Spirits, featuring Vanian as well as fellow original member Captain Sensible, reaching the top 10 on the U.K. album charts for the first time. All things considered, that’s a pretty impressive feat for a band that once looked like it was on its way out after just a couple of years and a couple of albums.
House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, 8 p.m. Oct. 27, starting at $25 plus tax and fee, 18+. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
