“It was 40 years ago today” (roughly) that The Damned became the first British punk rock band to release a single – not any old rubbish but the still thrilling classic ‘New Rose’. They followed this with the first album ‘Damned Damned Damned’ (which is being played in full before a greatest hits set), and were also the first UK punks to brave an American audience.

Move forward to the present day and there’s a new crowdfunded album on the way, a new greatest hits release, a massive 40th anniversary tour and definitely no plans for retirement. While singer Dave Vanian has retained his mysterious persona, you can often see fellow original member Captain Sensible and long term keyboard player Monty Oxymoron knocking around Brighton. Founder member and chief songwriter Brian James is also a Brighton resident but anyone that has seen the excellent documentary Don’t You Wish That We Were Dead will know there is little chance of there ever being a full reunion of the original line up.

I got a feeling inside of me that this is going to be a hugely enjoyable celebration of a great band who enjoy their gigs as much as their fans.

Bob Grover’s local heroes The Piranhas have been confirmed as support.

Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Thursday 24th November 2016

Ticketholders also receive half price entry to a new exhibition of punk photography at Brighton Museum on 24th and 25th November.