Legendary punks The Damned will play Aylesbury Friars club for the first time since 1979 on Thursday. 

The band's legendary line-up of Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Paul Gray and Rat Scabies will return to the Friars stage as one of the most requested bands among Bucks music lovers. 

 The Damned were the first UK punk band to ever release a single, ‘New Rose’ in 1976, and an album, ‘Damned Damned Damned’ in 1977. 

They were also the first UK punk rock band to tour the USA and over the years have enjoyed nine top forty singles ‘Love Song’ and ‘Smash it Up’ (1979), ‘Grimly Fiendish’, ‘The Shadow of Love’ and ‘Is it a Dream?’ (1985), their biggest hit ‘Eloise’ which reached No 3 and ‘Anything’ (1986), as well as ‘Gigolo’ and ‘Alone Again Or’ in 1987. 

Their biggest album was undoubtedly 1985’s ‘Phantasmagoria’ produced in New York by legendary David Bowie collaborator Tony Visconti. 

Friars co-founder David Stopps, said: "The Damned have only played Friars Aylesbury once before, on 1 Dec 1979, but it is remembered as one of the best Friars gigs ever. 

"It was with the original line-up of singer Dave Vanian, guitarist Brian James, bassist Captain Sensible and drummer Rat Scabies. The band had many break-ups and periods of key members not being present in the band but the big news is that Rat Scabies rejoined the Damned permanently in November 2023." 

The band were due to play Friars Aylesbury in May 2020 but sadly this had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.  Now Dave Vanian (vocals), Captain Sensible (guitar), long time bass player Paul Gray (who originally joined the band in 1980) and Rat Scabies are back.

David added: "From their first gig in July 1976 supporting The Sex Pistols at the 100 Club, The Damned have had a long and notorious career with involvement along the way from Chrissie Hynde, Lemmy, Nick Mason and Culture Club’s Jon Moss amongst many others.

"This will be a long overdue Friars homecoming for one of the most exciting and influential bands of the past forty years."  

There are still a limited number of tickets available for this very special show, and the band have even produced a one of limited edition t-shirt to mark the event, only available to fans attending on the night. 

Support at the show comes from psychedelic pop legends Doctor and the Medics, and Bowen. 

For tickets, visit https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-damned/aylesbury-waterside-theatre.