COLUMBUS, OH- You must go see The Damned whenever they come to a town near you. They’re one of the only bands I’ll consistently travel for. I’ve seen them in several states over the years and will continue to do so as long as they keep touring. So when they announced the show at The Bluestone in Columbus, I knew I was going to be there—especially when The BellRays were announced as the opener.
The Damned will forever be ingrained as a (new) rose in my musical garden. I’ve seen them many times now, covered them for Blurred Culture on multiple occasions, and every single time, they are the best show around. Legendary? Most definitely—especially with the Black Album/Strawberries lineup, which is my favorite lineup in the history of the world. They continue to ignite a flame and set me alight with their legendary music. To say I’m a fan is a huge understatement to the lunacy of my fandom.
It’s not often that I get to cover my friends now that I’ve moved to the east side of the country, but my hometown heroes, The Mighty BellRays, opened the show with an electrifying set spanning much of their 30-plus-year career. Led by the supersonic duo of Lisa Kekaula and her powerful vocals, and Bob Vennum on his equally powerful guitar, they were joined by longtime drummer Craig S. Waters and bassist Nico Miles, bringing the thunder and lightning. They released Heavy, Steady, GO!!, their 11th studio album, in August 2024 and have been touring Europe, a stint with Social Distortion, and more Europe before bringing the “Rock Show” to the first half of this tour.
“Blues for Godzilla” kicked off their 11-song set. They spent a good amount of time on tracks from Heavy, Steady, GO!!, including “I Fall Down,” “California,” “Hard Drive,” and “Shakes,” before taking a trip down to “Pinball City” from their Hard, Sweet and Sticky album (which is my favorite album of theirs). Their punked-up rendition of The Temptations’ “Ball of Confusion” followed—it’s much faster than the original or even the Love and Rockets version, and it fit perfectly into their high-octane set. “Black Lightning” has been a fan favorite since its release in 2010 and is now a staple in their live shows. They typically close with “Startime,” a unique number where Lisa introduces each band member as they take solos—bringing each to the forefront before a final collective blowout.
They are the purveyors of Maximum Rock and Soul. They blow up the stage with electric dynamite every time. They’re one of those bands that just gets better with each show. Since “blues is the teacher and punk is the preacher,” The BellRays are the evangelists spreading the gospel of punk, rock, and soul. They head to the UK in June for a string of dates before rejoining The Damned in September for the next North American leg (which includes a stop in Cincinnati—I’ll be there) and then back to Europe in October. They show no signs of slowing down, which makes me very happy.
As for The Damned… what else can I say? I love The Damned. They’re one of my absolute favorite bands of all time. It’s been over a year since Rat Scabies returned to the fold in 2024 after the original four reunited for a few UK dates. Sadly, Brian James passed away in March, but what an amazing legacy he left us. They performed “New Rose” as a tribute to him, inviting all of us to join in.
Each member took the stage in their usual fashion—Monty first, then Paul Gray, followed by The Captain and Rat Scabies, who walked out in front of his kit to greet the crowd, and finally Dave Vanian. They launched into “Love Song” to kick off their 22-song set. Without a doubt, they are punk rock icons through and through. They still play with youthful vigor, interact and entertain, and welcome their audience like old friends every time.
Their set was well-curated, covering their entire discography—from classic hits to newer material and deep cuts. Machine Gun Etiquette and The Black Album were heavily represented with five songs each. Set staples like “Love Song,” “Neat Neat Neat,” and “Stranger on the Town” delivered as always. Their covers—Barry Ryan’s “Eloise,” Love’s “Alone Again Or,” and Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit”—were show highlights, especially the latter, which fits surprisingly well with Vanian’s smooth baritone. Tracks from Darkadelic, like “Beware of the Clown” and “Invisible Man,” held their own alongside the classics. And when they played my favorite song, “Ignite,” they extended it into a powerful sing-along moment—those “Whoa-oh-ohs” hit every time. Rat’s drum solo into “New Rose” was just absolute perfection.
Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible’s onstage banter is always a treat—more like old friends chatting than a typical rock show. Paul Gray, who rejoined in 2017, locks in beautifully with Rat; they’re a dream rhythm section. And let’s not forget Monty Oxymoron—his keys add an ethereal layer to the darker cuts like “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and “Is It a Dream.”
The tour may be on a break for now, but as The Captain said in a social media post: “The band played great and we’re still talking to each other too… blimey how did it all go right?” I don’t know—but I’m glad it did. After a quick breather, The Damned return in September with The Bellrays again in tow. They’ll be playing Nebraska (my birth state), Cincinnati (I’ll be there), and a slot at Chicago’s Riot Fest. If you’ve never seen The Damned before, just know this: they’ve still got it, and the current lineup is absolutely worth seeing—again and again.
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LIVE CLIPS
