for October 1, 2002


Be Damned
by Stiffy Biceptz

Some time back in the eighties, I met and fell in love with the Buzzcocks. Unfortunately, by then, they had long since faded away into history. I labeled their brand of punk as "Masturbatory Speed Pop", which I thought about for a long time and felt was the best possible way to characterize what they did. Then miraculously, they reformed sans the original drummer and went on tour in 1989. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have a chance to see one of my favorite bands, and I proceeded to do so at City Gardens in Trenton with the "Lonely Guy" of past and present WRSU fame, currently known as El Hombre Solo.
 
They did not disappoint. Although a little rusty, they still projected that wound up post-adolescent energy, the kind of energy that makes you want to shake your body as fast and as violently as possible while leaping through the air. Other than "Orgasm Addict", (which regrettably, their new drummer hadn't learned yet) they gave us all the favorites and it felt like 1979 all over again. Here was punk/new wave history, and I had gotten a chance to enjoy it. There's nothing like seeing the original band, and I swore I would never miss a chance to see legendary bands when they reformed.
 
That time has come again. Another pioneering punk band, The Damned, is currently touring the US with Captain Sensible and Rat Scabies. They came around in 1999, but I was unable to see them for domestic reasons. The Damned spontaneously appeared on the scene with the Buzzcocks, the Clash, and Siouxsie and The Banshees, in the wake of the Ramones' groundbreaking tour of England in 1976. This is the real deal, and if you love the original English punk movement, you shouldn't miss this show. You never know if you'll ever get the chance again. (These guys can't afford to be cloned.)
 
I plan on attending the Philly show at the Trocadero with El Hombre Solo on October 12th, so here's your chance to rub biceps with Stiffy and discuss UV A vs. UV B tanning techniques. The Damned are also playing in NYC on the 11th at the World.
 

©2002 Stiffy Biceptz