I Just Read About That…

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 27, 2023] The Damned / Baby Shakes / Fucked Up

Once I started listening to The Damned after realizing I would miss this show I realized how much I do actually like them.  And here was one more opportunity to see them.

I don’t really like The Stone Pony–every time I’ve been there I’ve had a crowd I didn’t care for.

But it didn;t matter because my wife and I had tickets to see My Morning Jacket tonight and there was no way we were passing up that show.  Certainly not so I could run off to Asbury Park.

~~~

I saw the Damned in 1998 at Coney Island High (RIP).

I honestly don’t remember all that much about the show.  Although Setlist actually has the details from that show! (see below).

I was never really a fan of the band.  I like “Neat Neat Neat” but don’t know much else. When this new tour was announced I was mostly interested in seeing Fucked Up again. 

It would be fun to see The Damned again–25 years later.  But I’ve got a show the day before and the day after.  That’s a bit much.

Here’s some blurb about what they’ve been doing

Despite going through numerous lineup changes, the formation of Vanian, Sensible, keyboardist Monty Oxymoron, drummer Pinch and bassist Stu West had been together from 2004 until 2017, when West left the band and former bassist Paul Gray rejoined. The band is well known for being one of the first gothic rock bands and a major influence on the goth subculture with lead singer Dave Vanian’s vampire themed costume, baritone singing voice and dark lyrics being major influences. They are sometimes referred to as British punk’s “band of firsts,” having made accomplishments mentioned previously, as well as other “firsts” like the first punk band to break up and come back.

I’ve never heard of Baby Shakes and am somewhat surprised that they might be on before Fucked Up (the order is unclear).  Although their blurb suggests that  they are quite well known, just not to me.

Baby Shakes are a DIY rock n’ roll-punk band from New York City. With catchy melodic vocals over dirty guitars and a killer rhythm section, their influences range from The Ramones and Slade to Chuck Berry and 60’s Motown girl groups. Formed in 2005, they released 8 singles, a 10″ EP, 4 full-length albums, a digital singles collection and have toured the US, UK, Europe, China and Japan. Their songs have been featured in commercials, TV shows and indie films both nationally and internationally.   Baby Shakes have not parted with the pop sensibility that was the backbone of their previous releases, but they have successfully figured out how to incorporate the influences of all those glam records littering up their tiny New York apartments. Band Members: Mary – lead vocals/guitar Judy – lead guitar/vocals Claudia – bass/vocals Joey – drums.

They sound pretty fun.

I’ve seen Fucked Up only once and would like to see them again as their show is truly an intense experience.

With One Day, Fucked Up have delivered one of the most energizing and intricate albums of their entire career, a massive-sounding record that arrives in deceptively small confines. The Canadian hardcore legends have been known for their epic scale in the past, from towering concept albums to 12-hour performances—so it might be a surprise that Fucked Up’s sixth studio album is their shortest to date, written and recorded in the confines of one literal day (hence the title).

I have yet to listen to this new album yet, but it sounds exciting.

The Damned Setlist Feb 6 1988

1. Plan 9 Channel 7 ♦
2. Dozen Girls ⊗
3. Neat Neat Neat Ψ
4. Wait for the Blackout ♣
5. I Just Can’t Be Happy Today ♦
6. Disco Man ß
7. Shadow of Love ¶
8. Curtain Call ♣
9. Noise Noise Noise ♦
10. Melody Lee ♦
11. Looking at You (MC5 cover)
    encore
12. Drum Solo
13. New Rose Ψ
14. Eloise (Bryan Ferry cover)
15. Love Song ♦
16. Smash It Up ♦
    encore
17. 1970 (The Stooges cover)