When you say “Punk” you associate the term with lots of different bands, but pathfinders for this movement were and are The Damned.
They released their first album “Damned Damned Damned” and their first single “New Rose” back in 1976 and toured the same circuit as Siouxie and the Banshees, The Stranglers, Iggy and the Stooges and The Liverpool Explosion. Music was raw but it was that movement that made it real, no Simon Cowell in sight.
The Damned also knew how to diversify before musicians had to – Captain Sensible and his chart loving release of “Wot” was epic and my little Goth heart skipped a beat when they released “Eloise” (even mentioning that song, I will hum that melody all day). I also remember reading that Vanian and his wife had coffins for beds and I am dying to find out (pun intended) if Smash Hits made that one up….
Their new album "Evil Spirits" is testament to diversion, but it is fun and brilliant!
If you need proof watch their latest release “Look Left” from their new album here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7S1q4qU2Q
I am not sure that Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible ever stopped touring in the 40+ years, but the two of them along with their bassist John Priestley, keyboarder Monty Oxymoron and drummer Pinch Pinching are touring Germany in May. You would be a complete idiot to miss these legends.
17.05.2018 Frankfurt - Batschkapp
22.05.2018 München - Strom
23.05.2018 Berlin - SO 36
25.05.2018 Hamburg - Fabrik
26.05.2018 Oberhausen - Turbinenhalle (im Rahmen der New Waves Day)