The Power Station, The Damned look back

‘The Power Station DLX’

The Power Station, the commercially successful side project of Duran Duran’s Andy and John Taylor, gets a shiny new reissue with The Power Station DLX.

DLX is the latest deluxe edition of the supergroup’s 1985 debut, released to celebrate its 40th anniversary (now 41st in ‘Durantime’). The album is a true deluxe reissue, at least the CD box, which includes a liner notes interview with the Taylors, the band’s only surviving members, as well as the studio album, raw instrumentals, remixes and live performances. Buyers of the LP will have to shell out again on Record Store Day, when Power Mad: Live At The Spectrum drops on vinyl.

The funk-infused rock of The Power Station is on full display on the remastered studio album (the first disc), and the group’s performance at Live Aid and their contribution to the soundtrack of the movie Commando, ‘Somewhere Somehow Someone (We Fight For Love),’ are highlights of the second disc. By then, singer Robert Palmer had left to embark on the most commercially successful period of his solo career, and the Taylors and Chic drummer Tony Thompson soldiered on for a bit with new vocalist Michael Des Barres.

The live show features Des Barres, who sounds better than remembered but sorely lacks Palmer’s blue-eyed soul swagger. As on the album, ‘Harvest For The World,’ featuring co-lead vocals from Andy Taylor, is a highlight. And the Duran covers, ‘The Reflex’ (played with ‘Communication’) and a rocked-up version of ‘Hungry Like The Wolf’ are fun, though Des Barres is a no Simon Le Bon either.

But DLX is worth it, especially on CD, and especially considering that the forthcoming Duran Duran reissues look to be bare-bones versions. But it’s still good that the brilliant The Wedding Album and the not-bad Thank You will finally be back in print.

The Damned ‘Not Like Everybody Else’

The Damned are also looking back these days in the wake of founding guitarist Brian James’ death last year. They pay tribute to him with their latest album, Not Like Everybody Else, a collection of covers that inspired James himself.

The Damned hammered out the LP in just five days following a tour last fall. It’s a bit rough around the edges at times, but that may be the point, as the band’s debut album with James, the opening salvo of English punk rock, was recorded in a similar spirit.

‘I know a lot of music these days can be done remotely, with participants sometimes on different continents,’ the band’s Captain Sensible told ClassicRockHistory.com. ‘But The Damned still do it in an old-school style in a big, old noisy room, all together. I think you can hear the excitement and fun of the sessions on the record.’

Captain Sensible moved from bass to guitar after James departed and hasn’t looked back. (James went on to form goth rockers Lords Of The New Church.) Here, Sensible delivers an album highlight with a cover of Pink Floyd’s ‘See Emily Play,’ taking on lead vocals. Elsewhere, Dave Vanian’s gothic drama takes center stage, particularly on the album’s strong second half, including The Lollipop Shoppe’s ‘You Must Be A Witch,’ The Animals’ ‘When I Was Young’ and The Stones’ ‘The Last Time,’ featuring James’ guitar from his last live shows with the band in 2022.

After James left The Damned in 1977, the band reformed and were never better, delivering the one-two punch of Machine Gun Etiquette and The Black Album, the latter with current members Vanian, Sensible, drummer Rat Scabies and bassist Paul Gray. Now with the addition of keyboardist Monty Oxymoron (who regretfully doesn’t appear in the new LP’s cover art), they’re a force, both live and on record.

Top five live shows of 2025

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, which hasn’t released a new album in over seven years and has played live only sporadically for the past few years, at last returned to the stage for a headlining tour to mark the 20-year anniversary of their third LP, Howl.

BRMC played the album in full, followed by some of their hardest rock songs, lighting up a crowd packed “like sardines” into the Summit Music Hall in Denver on Sept. 28.

The band, singers and multi-instrumentalists Robert Levon Been and Peter Hayes and drummer Leah Shapiro, impressed at every turn. 

Read more: BRMC return with a 'Howl'

The Damned

The Damned brought their “Black Album tour” to Dallas for an exhilarating show at the Granada Theater on May 18.

Although they did not play their 1980 masterwork in its entirety, they had all four members from the album’s lineup on board, including drummer Rat Scabies, who recently rejoined the band after too long a time away.

The Damned, along with TV Smith’s The Adverts, transported concertgoers back to the early days of UK punk. 

Read more: The Damned go back to ‘Black’ in Dallas

The Faint with Plack Blague and Jeff in Leather

The Faint, a band instrumental in putting Omaha on the musical map, swung through the Midwest to close out their first US headlining tour in years with a show at Wooly’s in Des Moines on April 5.

They had also played other select cities, including their hometown, where they put on a sold-out concert at the Waiting Room on April 3. They capped a roster that also included fellow Nebraskans Plack Blague and Jeff in Leather.

Although the Omaha show was a sight to behold, the Des Moines concert was the best of the two. Later in the year, the band was back at it, playing Omaha again, with a standout gig at the Admiral on Nov. 9.

Read more: The Faint bring homegrown tour to Des Moines

Cold Cave 

I finally got the chance to see one of the newer bands I have been obsessed with the last five years, Cold Cave, and they didn’t disappoint with their show March 28 at the Gothic Theatre in Denver.

The opening artists, Buzz Kull and Kontravoid, helped build up the intensity with their heavy EDM beats. Then Cold Cave took the stage and played fan favorites from throughout their discography, like “Glory,” “Confetti” and “Underworld USA.” They leaned heavily on their latest album, Passion Depression, playing songs like “Shadow Dance” and “Blackberries” as well as tracks from the EP Fate In Seven Lessons in the encore with “Prayer From Nowhere” and the powerful show-ender “Promised Land.”

Be sure to check out Cold Cave, a band that records and distributes their own records and CDs via their label, Heartworm. —Christopher Windle

The Effigies

I was lucky to see The Effigies, a fantastic punk band out of Chicago, on May 16 at the Slowdown in Omaha. I have been a huge fan of theirs for a long time. 

While their lead singer, John Kezdy, passed away in 2023, their current singer, the energetic Geoff Sabin, helped make the show not only powerful but also a straight-out blast. The band played crowd favorites like “Below The Drop,” “Quota,” “Haunted Town” and “We’ll Be Here Tomorrow.”

If you’re a fan of punk music and have not heard of The Effigies, do yourself a favor and listen to them. Out of the many great Chicago punk bands, they’re one of the best. —Christopher Windle

Honorable mentions: ABC and Howard Jones, Clan of Xymox, Front Line Assembly, Laetherstrip

Photos by Christopher Windle and Karen Duran Windle

The Damned go back to 'Black' in Dallas

The Damned brought their “Black Album tour” to Dallas for an exhilarating show at the Granada Theater on May 18.

Although they aren’t playing their 1980 masterwork in its entirety, they do have all four members from the album’s lineup on board, including drummer Rat Scabies, who recently rejoined the band after too long a time away.

The Damned, along with TV Smith’s The Adverts, transported concertgoers back to the early days of UK punk. The opening band got the crowd riled up from the get-go with tracks like “No Time to Be 21” and “Gary Gilmore’s Eyes.”

Sensible and Gray. All photos by Christopher Windle.

But The Damned were a sight to behold, with sound to match, of course. Guitarist Captain Sensible was all smiles from the start, kicking his leg high into the air alongside early ’80s bandmate Paul Gray on bass. Vocalist Dave Vanian prowled the stage dressed in garb reminiscent of a mortician’s. Any longtime fan would expect nothing less.

Their set began with “Love Song” and its indelible bass line, not written by Gray but played with aplomb. The energy didn’t let up with “Machine Gun Etiquette,” the one-two punch from their punk masterpiece of the same name. Then it was on to The Black Album with “Wait for the Blackout,” “Lively Arts” and “The History of the World (Part 1).”

The Damned made room for deeper tracks, including “Is It a Dream” off the gothic Phantasmagoria, “Limit Club” (from the Friday 13th EP) and two from their latest album, Darkadelic, “Beware of the Clown” and “The Invisible Man.”

But they were truly in their element with their early ’80s material, including “Stranger on the Town” and “Ignite” as they were meant to be played as well as “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Vanian melting hearts with his croon. The singer gave plenty of attention to those in the front, dropping to his knees toward the end of the band’s smash cover of “Eloise” and encouraging the crowd to sing the trumpet part to “Alone Again Or.” The two tracks were among three covers in a set list of more than 20 songs. They also played “White Rabbit” during the encore, though another early ’80s track, such as “Under the Floor Again,” would have perhaps been better.

They added a tasteful tribute to founding guitarist Brian James, who passed away earlier this year, playing three tracks from debut LP Damned Damned Damned: “Fan Club,” “Neat Neat Neat” and “New Rose,” following a truncated version of “Curtain Call."

By the time they ended the show with “Smash It Up (Parts 1 and 2),” it was clear that the band is still at their best. Despite hints on social media that this tour could be among their last, it’s hard to believe that they’re ready to give up the road entirely. Sensible and Gray displayed the energy of much younger men, Scabies appeared to be truly touched by the warm welcome back from fans and, well, Vanian just seems to be ever-ageless. Rounded out by the energetic Monty Oxymoron on keys, they don’t appear to be ready to hang it up just yet.

Indeed, days after planning our trip to Dallas, The Damned announced more tour dates later in the year, including a stop in Omaha, so watch this space for the review!

2020 was a dark year for music, but there were bright spots

Early in 2020, it looked to be a dazzling year for live music.

Bands like the Strokes, the Psychedelic Furs, and Duran Duran were planning to deliver long-awaited studio albums, with tours likely to follow. By March, around the time COVID-19 took hold in the U.S., there were already tours announced by the likes of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and dates by the reunited Bauhaus (we had tickets for both). Early in the year, I’d already seen two concerts, one by 69 Eyes and another by The Reverend Horton Heat with the Buttertones.

But live music soon came to a screeching halt amid the global pandemic. Bands like Duran Duran shelved their albums. Others went ahead with their releases, giving music fans much-needed hope during a dark time.

These are some of the great albums of 2020:

The Psychedelic Furs could have waited another year; after all, the band’s previous studio album came out nearly 30 years ago. But the Furs finally delivered “Made of Rain.” The band couldn’t back the critically lauded album with live shows, but the music will be just as fresh when a return to the stage is possible. Read the review.

The Strokes ended a seven-year hiatus with “The New Abnormal,” and there wasn’t a more fitting album for its time. The New York band combined all its classic sound with a dose of ’80s flair: the track listing included writing credits for Billy Idol and the brothers Butler (of the Furs). The Strokes released a batch of stunning videos, launched a Zoom series, performed on “Saturday Night Live,” and earned their first Grammy nomination. Read the review.

The Buttertones released ”Jazzhound,” showing all the promise that had propelled them to their status as perpetual up-and-comers. About three months later, the Los Angeles band imploded amid allegations of sexual abuse (Read more). Some fans declared the band unfairly canceled, but the silence of lead singer Richard Araiza only raised questions. After more than a month, he and guitarist Modeste Cobian released a video statement on Instagram. The duo’s denial of wrongdoing and promise of a comeback in 2021 mostly failed to resonate with the band’s core fans. 

Also in 2020: Muzz, a “supergroup” led by Interpol vocalist Paul Banks, released a self-titled effort, its debut no less. When he couldn’t tour, Nick Cave recorded the haunting “Idiot Prayer,” alone with a piano at Alexandra Palace. The Damned tided fans over with “The Rockfield Files” EP. Read the review.

As for Duran, the band wants to support any new release with live shows. While that’s not possible now, at least in a conventional way, Duran opted to largely stay quiet in 2020. John Taylor delivered an entertaining round of bass tutorials and interviews after recovering from COVID. Simon Le Bon also endured a bout with the virus and carried on with his Spotify podcast. Optimistically, the band has announced live shows for next summer.

Along with an annual list of top live shows, I also won’t be compiling Duran Duran’s top moments of the year for the first time since 2011. If Duran's 2021 concerts are able to take place, its 15th studio album may finally materialize. But it appears that a true 40th anniversary celebration for the band may be falling by the wayside due to COVID. 

True, there are more important things than music in these times. But it sure would have been nice to have had one more bright spot during a dismal 2020. 

New record review: The Damned 'The Rockfield Files'

The Damned must be feeling nostalgic of late.

First, the British punk icons released a new EP, "The Rockfield Files." It's described as a "return to the scene of the crime," Rockfield studios, where the band's groundbreaking "The Black Album" was recorded some 40 years ago. The four-song collection promptly debuted at No. 1 on the British vinyl singles chart.

A few days later, the Damned did something that some expected would never happen: The band got its original lineup back together with plans for a U.K. reunion tour.

While "The Rockfield Files" (Spinefarm) is a nod to the band's past, the EP continues in the vein of modern-day Damned music. 

Opening track "Keep 'Em Alive" is a bad ass track about the modern-day plight of the bumblebee. One can imagine "Manipulator" to be about the president of the U.S., at which several lyrics on the band's 2018 album "Evil Spirits" were also squarely aimed. "The Spider and the Fly," perfectly delivered by singer Dave Vanian, is about the seductive dance between predator and prey. And "Black is the Night" appeared on the band's recent career-spanning compilation of the same name. 

The lineup for "The Rockfield Files," recorded last year, included Vanian, founding guitarist Captain Sensible, "Black Album"-era bassist Paul Gray, longtime keyboardist Monty Oxymoron, and now-former drummer Pinch.

The lineup will look a little different next summer, pandemic permitting. The four original Damned, Vanian, Sensible, Brian James and Rat Scabies, held a socially distanced press conference, the first in the U.K., to announce the reunion. The tour presumably will be only for five shows.

Sensible isn't likely to want to play second fiddle to James on guitar for more than those few gigs. But there's a tantalizing possibility that Scabies could fill the band's permanent opening on drums. Scabies has expressed a desire to get back with the band and even collaborates with Gray in Professor and the Madman.

Whatever the future holds, it's great that the Damned have a chance to reunite the original band. From there, one can imagine a version of the band touring the world in late 2021 or 2022. Hopefully, Gray will be there ... and maybe even Scabies. 

Top five live shows of 2019

The Damned and X

Two bands that have been around for more than 40 years, the Damned and X, proved that they're still going strong at their show at Chicago's House of Blues in May. X, with its lineup of four original members, played several of its best-known songs while sounding great and having fun. The Damned's Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible, the two original members of the band, were joined by bassist Paul Gray to play the masterpiece album "Machine Gun Etiquette" in its entirety. The band ventured on to a second set of well-known songs and rarities, playing 22 tracks and two encores in all. It's rare to see not one, but two, bands that have been around for more than 40 years. To see two such bands that appear to still be having a blast doing it, well, that's pretty amazing.
Read more: The Damned and X show their punk rock staying power

Photos by Christopher Windle.

The Faint with Closeness

The Faint returned to its hometown of Omaha for a packed show at the Waiting Room in May. Closeness (pictured), Faint frontman Todd Fink's group with his wife, Orenda Fink, warmed up the audience. The Faint later stormed onstage, playing songs from new album "Egowerk" as well as the best of its back catalog of six other studio albums. The show was an intense, high-energy thrill ride, and the audience didn't want it to end.
Read more: The Faint displays the best of Omaha

The Psychedelic Furs

The Psychedelic Furs' touring machine roared into the Truman in Kansas City in May, and it was clear that the band was there to show the crowd a good time. Though the Furs got a bit political with "President Gas," the show was mainly a time to party. Like the best first wave '80s artists, the Furs offer music that fans can escape to. And the world could use an escape right now. So the Furs delivered, playing hits like "Heaven" and "Pretty in Pink." The band has since added new music to its live show and has a long-awaited new album on the way in 2020.
Read more: The Psychedelic Furs at the Truman

Clan of Xymox

The U.S. government shutdown early this year had effects that reverberated through all walks of life, including the goth/darkwave community, when Clan of Xymox was forced to postpone its U.S. tour because of delays in processing the band's visas. But the tour dates set for this past spring finally happened, with the U.S. stint by the Germany-based band beginning in Denver and hitting Omaha in November. The band proved that its delayed U.S. tour was well worth the wait. Bolstered by opening band the Bellwether Syndicate, Clan of Xymox had the crowd dancing, singing along, and even laughing to frontman Ronny Moorings' droll insights.
Read more: Clan of Xymox, at last, brings show back to U.S.

L7

The all-female grunge band brought its powerful live show to Omaha in June. The crowd at the Slowdown was treated to a 21-song set of hits and fan favorites from the band's longest-standing lineup of Suzi Gardner, Donita Sparks, Dee Plakas, and Jennifer Finch. Gardner, Sparks, and Finch took turns singing lead, performing songs like "Andres," "Dispatch from Mar-a-Lago," "Shitlist," and "Pretend We're Dead."

Honorable mentions: T.S.O.L., Interpol, the Descendents, Wilco.

New record review: The Damned ‘Black Is the Night’

The Damned, in its fifth decade of existence, didn’t have an official best-of anthology until early this month. But “Black Is the Night: The Definitive Anthology” (BMG) is finally here, and it’s magnificent.

Spanning two discs, or four LPs, the anthology features 39 songs, from the first British punk rock  single, “New Rose,” to the band’s most recent single, “Black Is the Night.” The new song is a sweetener for seasoned fans; other than that track, “Disco Man,” and “Fun Factory,” the other songs are all available on the band’s studio albums or rereleased version of those records.

Still, there’s a lot here to like for fans new and old. I fall somewhere in between, having gotten heavily into the Damned a few years ago and promptly purchasing the band’s entire studio discography. For music fans feeling curious about the Damned but not knowing where to start, “Black Is the Night” is the perfect gateway.

The anthology lays out how the Damned is best enjoyed. Instead of a chronological track listing, the album is more like a playlist arranged by tempo and mood. The first disc is composed of early songs that helped define punk and post-punk: “Love Song,” “Wait for the Blackout,” “Ignite,” and “Smash It Up” among them. A “newer” song “Democracy?” fits right in, with a timely political message to boot. The Brian James years are neatly compartmentalized on disc one.

While the first disc captures the rapid-fire energy of the band’s live show (The Damned shows punk rock staying power in Chicago), disc two shows the Damned’s theatrical and artistic side. “Eloise” still sounds as amazing as when the band was climbing to near the top of the pop charts, and “Grimly Fiendish” deliciously marks the band’s foray into goth. The centerpiece is the majestic “Curtain Call,” all 17 minutes and 10 seconds of it demonstrating that the Damned was a true musical force, one that could still be kicking around four decades later.

The band shows that it’s survived, and thrived, with recent single “Standing On the Edge of Tomorrow” and the “Black Album”-tinged title track. Both are written by singer Dave Vanian, at a creative peak of late.

Who know what’s next for the Damned? The band brought “A Night of a Thousand Vampires” to the London Palladium, and Vanian (who shaved his head mid-set to portray Nosferatu) has hinted the band may hit the road with a version of that show.

Longtime drummer Pinch departed the band after the show. But with Vanian, dynamic guitar and bass duo Captain Sensible and Paul Gray, and the ever-entertaining Monty Oxymoron onboard, it’s not a stretch to say the Damned might be around to celebrate its 50th anniversary in a few years. It’s a thrilling thought, indeed.

The Damned and X show their punk rock staying power in Chicago

The Damned and X, survivors from two of punk rock's original scenes, teamed up for a concert at Chicago's House of Blues on May 30.

Both bands have been going strong for more than 40 years. The Damned, from the U.K. punk class of 1976, still has three of four members from its heyday. X, a band out of the Los Angeles punk scene, boasts a lineup of four original members.

X. All photos by Christopher Windle.

X, with vocalist Exene Cervenka, bassist/vocalist John Doe, guitarist Billy Zoom, and drummer D.J. Bonebrake, showed why it has incredible staying power. The band performed a rather lengthy setlist for an opening act, playing several of its best-known songs, sounding great, and having fun. When Exene straightened the collar and wiped the face of her onetime husband, John Doe, he playfully proclaimed, "That's true love." 

Tracks like "In This House That I Call Home," "I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts," and "Nausea" offered a chance for the band to showcase its energy, an energy often lacking in bands decades younger. 

The Damned is also a band that looks and sounds younger than its years. Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible, the two original members, have long outlasted their contemporaries from the class of '76, the Sex Pistols and the Clash. 

Also onboard for the summer U.S. tour is Paul Gray, who played on the Damned's "Black Album" and "Strawberries." He also happens to be the Damned's all-time best bassist. With drummer Pinch, the two formed a rhythm section that lent an exciting intensity to the show.

This tour, the Damned is also playing its best album, "Machine Gun Etiquette," in its entirety. Though the band usually performs most of the album in its live show, this time, it delivered the songs how they were meant to be heard. 

The 35-minute, rapid-fire album provided barely a second for a breather. After the five-song opening salvo of "Love Song," "Second Time Around," "Just Can't Be Happy Today," "Melody Lee," and "Anti-Pope," Vanian donned a clown nose and unleashed some diabolical laughter on "These Hands." The other lesser-played songs, MC5 cover "Looking at You" and "Liar" (with Vanian getting an assist from a lyrics sheet), were also much appreciated by the crowd.

After zipping though "MGE," the band ventured on to a second set of well-known songs and rarities. The band played deep "Black Album" tracks like "Twisted Nerve" and "13th Floor Vendetta," as well as the "Black" B-side and Jefferson Airplane cover "White Rabbit," which closed the show.

After the concert drew to an end without a Sensible-sung track, it seemed as if the guitarist would come back out to play a solo song, but it wasn't to be.

A Sensible solo song may have been the only thing the show lacked. The band played 22 tracks spanning from "New Rose" (with a manic dance from keyboardist Monty Oxymoron) and "Neat Neat Neat" off the band's debut, "Damned Damned Damned," to recent single "Standing on the Edge of Tomorrow." The Damned also played two encores, Sensible threw his trademark beret into the crowd, and he and Vanian even jousted with microphone stands. 

It's rare to see not one, but two, bands that have been around for more than 40 years. To see two such bands that are still going strong and appear to be having a blast doing it, well, that's pretty amazing.

Top five live shows of 2018

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at the Slowdown

It's rare to be truly blown away by a band's performance, but Black Rebel Motorcycle Club managed to do just that in Omaha on May 17.

We were actually there to see Pete International Airport, the Dandy Warhols guitarist Peter Holmstrom's other band. While the openers were great, we weren't prepared for BRMC, who stormed onstage with a 22-song set of its biggest tracks as well as ones off its latest album, "Wrong Creatures." (Along with PIA's "Safer With the Wolves," "Wrong Creatures" is one of the best albums of the past year or so.)

If there was a show that topped all shows in 2018, this was the one. While we ranked our list last year, we couldn't come to much agreement this year. It's lucky that BRMC is first alphabetically, which just happens to be how we're presenting the list this year.

Robert Levon Been and Peter Hayes commanded the stage, seamlessly trading off vocals, and sometimes bass and guitar. In a time when musical acts often rely on backing tracks or even offstage musicians, it was refreshing to see a three-piece band with a huge sound playing with little, if any, help in that department. BRMC put on just that type of impressive show. (Read more: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club leaves an impression.)

All photos by Christopher Windle, from top: BRMC, as
shared on Facebook by the band itself, and the Buttertones.

The Buttertones at the Slowdown

The Buttertones won fans on tour in the Midwest last year and were back to melt hearts once again on a cold autumn evening in Omaha.

With the fall tour, the band capped a bit of a whirlwind year: playing South by Southwest, debuting at Coachella, and putting out a new album, "Midnight in a Moonless Dream."

On Oct. 1, the Buttertones played highlights from each of the band's four timeless albums while displaying the members' multiple facets in an 18-song set.

Singer Richard Araiza charmed the crowd, and guitarist Dakota Böttcher and drummer Modeste Cobian even took the lead on a few songs. (Read more: The Buttertones melt hearts on fall U.S. tour.)

Clan of Xymox at the Oriental Theater

Clan of Xymox mesmerized the sold-out crowd in Denver on March 16 with its ethereal sound.

The band played 19 songs from 11 of its impressive discography of 17 studio albums, starting with "Days of Black," the title track from its newest album.

From there, it kept coming in waves, with fan favorites like "Louise," "Emily," "Hail Mary," and "Jasmine and Rose," to name a few.

But the highlights for the crowd were the goth classics "Muscoviet Mosquito" and "A Day!" With everyone dancing and singing along (not loudly), the show kept going and going in such a good way. (Read more: Clan of Xymox puts on ethereal show in Denver.)

The Damned at the Gothic Theatre

The Damned, riding a wave of success from "Evil Spirits," a new album more than 40 years into the band's career, brought its energetic live show to Denver on Oct. 25.

The band was back in town for the second time in a year and half, playing the "appropriately named" Gothic Theatre. Although the Damned are known for putting on great concerts, there was a new energy in the band less than a week before Halloween.

Singer Dave Vanian prowled the stage and hit every note in a "Black Album"-heavy set. Guitarist Captain Sensible was his usual wisecracking self, appearing to truly be having a blast, along with the rest of the band. (Read more: The Damned conjures evil spirits in Denver.)

The Dandy Warhols at Ophelia's Electric Soapbox

The Dandy Warhols of Portland, Oregon, were right at home in Denver during a two-night stand on July 12 and 13.

The band showed off its depth of talent at the Thursday night show in the cozy venue packed with dedicated Dandys fans. It was a cool scene that was perfect for the Dandys, with surroundings seemingly straight out of one of the band's videos.

The Dandys played a well-curated set of 14 songs spanning its breakthrough album, "The Dandy Warhols Come Down" to its most recent, "Distortland."

The new year will mark the band's 25th anniversary and bring a new album, "Why You So Crazy?" (Read more: The Dandy Warhols at Ophelia's Electric Soapbox.)

Honorable mentions: Gary Numan at the Slowdown; Beck at Pinewood Bowl; Psychedelic Furs at the Surf Ballroom; GBH at Lookout Lounge; and Closeness with Digital Leather at the Slowdown.

The Damned conjures evil spirits at the Gothic Theater

The Damned, riding a wave of success from a new album more than 40 years into the band's career, brought its energetic live show to Denver on Oct. 25.

The band was back in town for the second time in a year and half, playing the "appropriately named" Gothic Theater. Although the Damned are known for putting on great concerts, there was a new energy in the band less than a week before Halloween.

In 2017, bearded singer Dave Vanian's arm was in a sling, and guitarist Captain Sensible would soon be relegated to sitting on a toilet "throne" onstage after suffering an injury of his own. (The Damned at Summit Music Hall in Denver) This time, Vanian prowled the stage and hit every note, even inadvertently breaking his mic stand in two at one point. Sensible was his usual wisecracking self, singing only one song solo (there would be no "Happy Talk") but lending his able backing vocals to most of the rest.

Captain Sensible. All photos by Christopher Windle.

That one song was "Silly Kids Games," one in a series of "Black Album" tracks the band broke out. Perhaps the recent presence of "Black Album"-era bassist Paul Gray inspired the band to revisit the album. (Though Gray isn't on tour with the band in the U.S., the spot is open for him, with longtime road crew member John Priestly looking genuinely thrilled to be filling the role currently.)

The Damned played six tracks off "Black," including the smash "Wait for the Blackout," "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde," and "History of the World, Part 1."

And oh, that new album. The band played three tracks from "Evil Spirits," produced by Tony Visconti thanks to a Pledge Music campaign. The band picked those tracks wisely, with "Standing on the Edge of Tomorrow," "We're So Nice," and "Devil in Disguise" fitting in nearly seamlessly with the older material. The latter track was especially well-received, the churning pit in the crowd none the wiser that the song wasn't one of those old hits.

Unlike most bands' live shows, there isn't a clear break in which to talk, grab a drink, or visit the restroom during a Damned concert. The crowd was held rapt by the opus "Curtain Call," which opened the first encore, before going bonkers as the band launched into one of its liveliest tracks, "Ignite."

For the second encore, the Damned once again showed its range, playing the goth gem "Street of Dreams" followed by the punk anthem "Smash It Up."

But the best part of the show was watching a band truly having a great time onstage.

The Damned always defy expectations: helping create one genre of music, then another. Releasing an album 42 years after its first and 10 years after its last and then having it promptly hit the U.K. top 10.

A Damned show is always great, but the band is really on fire at the moment. Catch the Damned on tour if you can; you won't regret it.

Top five live shows of 2017

1. The Damned

The heart and soul of the band, goth god singer Dave Vanian and lovable goofball Captain Sensible on guitar, are still touring in top form and visited the Summit Music Hall in Denver in April. The Damned managed to touch on nearly every era of its career, from the first punk single, "New Rose," to "Alone Again Or," a cover of a Love song that was a hit in the late '80s. In all, the band played 23 songs, several more than many acts years younger manage to play. But 40 years on, the Damned is not the typical band just rolling through the hits. A new album is coming soon; the band recently previewed new song "Standing on the Edge of Tomorrow" live.

All photos by Christopher Windle.

2. The Buttertones

The Buttertones, a sharp-dressed five-piece with a ton of musical talent, brought a riveting live show to Omaha's Slowdown in August. Although the Los Angeles group reminds one of a certain band in the '80s at times, instead of Chic and Roxy Music, The Buttertones' musical style has been described as Johnny Kidd and the Pirates meets The Gun Club. The band played a slick and energetic set of songs off current album "Gravedigging" as well as tracks from further back in its six-year career. The band proved with its live show that it's the next big thing, and it will be exciting to see what's next. The review of this show also had the honor of being our most-read blog of the year, thanks to Facebook likes from "The Butterdads." Our comparisons to Duran elicited a "Well done, boys!"

3. Blondie

Blondie, with an assist from Garbage, a fellow band that helped define music over four decades with its fierce, age-defying female singer, came to a steamy Stir Cove in Council Bluffs in July. Despite the new songs, the reason to see Blondie live are the timeless originals: "One Way or Another," covered and used in commercials to the point that it's forever in the public consciousness. "Dreaming," a slice of '50s-inspired pop perfection. "Atomic," a keyboard-driven opus that helped inspire new wavers like Duran Duran. And "Rapture," a tour de force live, during which Debbie Harry hit the high notes and strutted to the front of the stage for the first and best female-led rap. At 72, it's clear that Harry, and Blondie, have still got it.

4. Wilco

Wilco, led by original members Jeff Tweedy and John Stirratt, came back to Nebraska for the first time in a decade to usher in fall on a summerlike September evening in Lincoln. While there were songs left unplayed, "War on War" and "Bull Black Nova" especially missed, Wilco proved that it's no slouch. The band touched on nine of its 10 studio albums, playing 26 songs and two encores, connecting with the audience on every level, encouraging cheers, sing-alongs and even boos.

5. X

The seminal punk band played Omaha just a few months after John Doe and Exene were in town to open for Blondie and Garbage. But the show at the Waiting Room was all X, and the Los Angeles band impressed with an extensive set list and boundless energy. Though guitarist Billy Zoom now sits on stage, that’s the only clue that the band members aren’t a young and hungry punk outfit.

Honorable mentions:

Echo and the Bunnymen, the Black Angels, Combichrist (opening for Lords of Acid), Ohgr (opening for KMFDM), Revolting Cocks and Frontline Assembly

The Damned in Denver

It has been more than 40 years since the Damned burst onto the British punk scene with the first single, album, and U.S. tour. The heart and soul of the band are still touring in top form and visited the Summit Music Hall in Denver on April 19.

The heart and soul, of course, are goth god singer Dave Vanian and the lovable goofball Captain Sensible on guitar. Vanian's voice is even stronger now than on that pioneering punk album, "Damned Damned Damned." The band released the album "Music for Pleasure" before songwriter Brian James exited and Captain moved from bass to guitar. The Damned then came back with its masterpiece, "Machine Gun Etiquette." The band performed eight songs off that album, including opener "Melody Lee," singalong classic "Noise Noise Noise," and "Smash It Up."

All photos by Christopher Windle.

The band managed to touch on nearly every era of its career, from that first punk single, "New Rose," to "Alone Again Or," a cover of a Love song that was a hit for the band in the late '80s. Along the way, there were highlights "Ignite" off "Strawberries" and "Wait for the Blackout" off "The Black Album" (another first: the Damned were the earliest band to have a Black Album). In all, the band played 23 songs, several more than many bands years younger manage to play.

But 40 years on, the Damned is not the typical band just rolling through the hits. Vanian and Captain have said in interviews that they still feel hungry. After the tour, the plan is to record another album. But for a band with only 10 albums over a 40-year career, it's clear the Damned don't just record albums to go through the motions. There has to be a purpose to it.

Vanian, his arm in a sling after he dislocated a shoulder on a previous tour date, not only sounded great but had all the stage moves. He spun around and dropped to his knees for "Eloise," the Barry James cover that was a No. 1 British single for the band.

Captain was nonstop with the stage banter, offering his opinions on Phil Collins, the Beatles, and the Sex Pistols, all to be taken with a grain of salt. He played guitar solos behind his head and balanced his guitar on his head. He's a ham, sort of a dual frontman of the Damned, and even took lead vocals for "The Last Time," a Rolling Stones cover, and "Jet Boy Jet Girl." He refused to play his '80s solo hit "Happy Talk," but happily obliged the crowd with a request for "Fan Club" after he proclaimed in the second encore that the band were running out of songs to play.

It's a natural move for the sort of fan liaison, who will take photos with fans before the show and invite them all to the pub across the street afterward. Apparently, he only draws the line at playing "Happy Talk," though the pub did play most of the album "Women and Captains First."

Monty Oxymoron provided the keyboards, and the dancing, during "New Rose."

Damned fans are a mix of young and old, fans of punk and goth. One could tell from the fan reactions to certain songs just why they were there. While the punks turned out for "New Rose" and "Neat Neat Neat," there were also strong reactions for goth-era songs like "Street of Dreams."

By the time the band closed the show with a blistering version of "Anti-Pope," it was clear the Damned had left the entire crowd satisfied.