Live review: The Damned , The Dictators live at Concorde Music Hall

Chicago, IL – 02 Jun 2024

Punk’s rich UK and US legacy was on full display in the Windy City.

Another classic punk double bill, another trip to Chicago. This time it was for first wave UK punk legends The Damned and NYC proto-punks The Dictators. I’d seen The Damned a few times previously, mostly in the ‘90s when they were largely out of favor. Then five years ago I saw them (with X opening) put on a masterful performance that included the entire Machine Gun Etiquette (1979) album. The Dictators have been on my bucket list for quite a while. 

The show was at Concorde Music Hall. It’s not among my favorite Windy City venues, although I couldn’t exactly remember why. Then I ordered a 16 ounce PBR. It was bad enough that it cost $12, but then they added the indignity of pouring it into a plastic cup. We had been pregaming nearby, and I was in no mood to quit, so I repeatedly bit the bullet. Somewhere in time a young Tom is super pissed that I gave those bastards $48. 

The relatively non-descript upstairs room was fairly packed a half hour before show time. Not surprisingly, the crowd was older. Some of the legacy bands seem to draw multi-generational audiences, but that didn’t seem to be the case on this early summer Sunday evening. The Dictators started promptly at 8, and it was obvious from the get go that they were in fine form. I was a bit concerned that the current lineup doesn’t include original frontman Handsome Dick Manitoba, but my fears were quickly laid to rest. Musically the band was tight as a drum, and they were witty as always. If anything, they were a little less cartoonish without Manitoba. 

The NYC stalwarts are still led by OG bassist Andy Shernoff and guitarist Ross The Boss (also of Man-O-War). The new guy is vocalist/guitarist Keith Roth. He only joined the band a few years ago, but has an impressive pedigree, having played with the likes of David Johansen (New York Dolls), Cherie Currie (The Runaways) and Cheetah Chrome (Dead Boys). The current drummer is longtime Blue Oyster Cult timekeeper Albert Bouchard. After the obligatory “needs more cowbell” joke, he took lead vocals on the BOC song “Dominance and Submission”. The Dictators definitely put some extra punch in the 1974 prog-rock song, but it still felt like a wasted opportunity. Why not hit us with a crowd pleasing classic like “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”, “Burning For You” or even “Godzilla”?

Surprisingly, their set was dominated by newer material. Fortunately, songs like “Pussy and Money”, “Let’s Get the Band Back Together” and “Who Will Save Rock and Roll?” blend right in with the early stuff. Only three songs, “The Minnesota Strip”, “Faster and Louder” and “Stay With Me”, came from their trio of classic ‘70s albums. Still, it was a thoroughly enjoyable 45 minutes, and I’m glad I finally got to see them. The Dictators setlist: “New York New York,” “My Imaginary Friend,” “The Minnesota Strip,” “Pussy and Money,” “Let’s Get the Band Back Together,” “The Savage Beat,” “It’s Alright,” “Dominance and Submission,” “Faster and Louder,” “Who Will Save Rock and Roll?,” and “Stay With Me.”

This version of The Damned is as close as most of us will ever get to seeing the original lineup. Founding Singer Dave Vanian is as debonair as ever, in his black suit and white shirt with no tie. The black leather gloves and old fashioned microphone complete the ensemble. His voice has aged like a fine wine. Founding bassist turned guitarist Captain Sensible was wearing a red and black shirt emblazoned with Neat Neat Neat. His signature red beret sat on his mop of white hair. Original drummer Rat Scabies has only recently rejoined the fold. The band is rounded out by bassist Paul Gray (Eddie and the Hot Rods), who’s been around since ‘80, and keyboardist Monty Oxymoron who hopped aboard way back in ‘96.

I probably made a mistake assuming The Damned would mostly stick to their earliest material. Those expectations may have tainted my enjoyment of their performance. It was really a show for those who appreciate the band’s entire, vast catalog. After all, they are almost as well known for being goth pioneers as punk forerunners. There were even a couple of tracks from the band’s 2023 LP Darkadelic. The big punk hits came, but they were heavily loaded into the back end of the exceptionally long set. 

It really was long. Too long for a punk show. Or even a goth show. It may seem strange that the same guy who complained about the beer prices would complain about getting too much show for the money, but it’s true. The highs were high, but the lows could be a bit dull. I could have easily lived without the Motown inspired “Stranger on the Town” and the Captain sung “Life Goes On”. I guess they did serve to make “Love Song” and “New Rose” that much sweeter. On the bright side, the less interesting moments gave me a chance to catch up with the many Chicago friends and musicians I kept running into. 

I knew going in that The Damned would have a hard time matching the show I saw five years ago. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy. Still, I was glad I got the opportunity to see even a little glimpse of 1977. The Damned setlist: “Ignite,” “Wait for the Blackout,” “The History of the World (Part 1),” “Melody Lee,” “Generals,” “Stranger on the Town,” “Plan 9 Channel 7,” “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” “Beware of the Clown,” “Eloise,” “Life Goes On,” “The Invisible Man,” “Shadow of Love,” “Noise Noise Noise,” “Love Song,” “Machine Gun Etiquette,” “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today,”” “Neat Neat Neat,” “Smash It Up.” Encore: “Curtain Call,” “New Rose,” and “Looking at You.”

Confessions of a merch whore: There was very limited merch. The Damned had some $40 T-shirts and $55 long sleeve Ts. They weren’t terribly exciting. There were some cool posters and maybe a keychain. The Dictators had a single T-shirt design at a mere $30. I didn’t get anything. I already confessed that I (literally) pissed my money away on overpriced beer.