The Damned in Argentina: liturgy and frenzy punk, in an agitated Buenos Aires

Review. On the table of the punk heroes they feel few. Ramones, Sex Pistols and The Clashsure. Some will add to Iggy Pop, another will talk about Siouxsie. But those who started this game as such are those of “The Damned”.

What is punk as such? An aesthetic, cultural and political movement that reached its boom in the second half of the 70s, with London and New York as epicenters. There were those who opened roads, of course: The Stooges, MC5, and The Velvet UndergroundFor example. Until The Saicos They did their own, the heterodox will say. But they were disseminated experiences, without the power of communion.

The Damnedthen, marked Triple Check: First tour, first single and first album of the genre. Superb weapons for the English band, which found in music the escape to a gray and pacata society, without future or opportunities for youth (does it sound familiar?).

The Damned and a historic night for Argentine punk

Now, just a few blocks separate the group that composed anti-boiler from the pulpit in which Jorge Bergoglio gave Mass before being Francisco. So generosa is Buenos Aires.

They give the 21.15 when the curtain opens. The guitarist Sensitive captain He appears doing the goose pass, with his instrument on his shoulder, like a rifle. The singer follow him Dave Vanianthe bassist Paul Gray and the drummer Rat scabiesclassical quartet formation.

There is no time for pompous presentations. “Ladies and Gentlemen, How do?” They ask. Love Song opens the evening.

Captain Pela right away. Striped shirt and red beret, carries the carelessness as a banner. Vanian, vampire father, shakes his period microphone. Jopo in front, Texan shirt and sunglasses, the frontman of black gloves resembles a bastard by Elvis and Johnny Cash. Machine Gun Label, Wait for The Blackout and Lively Arts They close the initial quartet.

The band looks shape and sounds the same. Scables awakens interest. His return to the group after a long departure implies a fire test for a thirsty audience. However, it complies with Rajataba. Hits hard and fast; He did not lose the tricks. At the close of the show, it will even have one of your own, in which the dishes will even be encouraged to set fire. Such you see too much opulence for a group that made simplicity its registered trademark.

Gun Fury (of Riot Forces) ReGala the response moment, as if it had been written in the same Buenos Aires just days ago, while I can ‘just be happy today It exhibits some of The Damned Gothic, another of the ramifications in which they opened the game in the 70’s. Sensitive has its moment with a great interpretation of Life’s Goes On, whose climate wraps to the room. Doma, the net boys would say.

Fan Club and Ignite: Back to the rabid vein, by the hand of a guitarist who studied Chuck Berry in detail. The contrast between sensitive and van were surprising in the group dynamics. In the first there are colors, jokes and spastic movements; His partner, on the other hand, is committed to the solemnity of a master of ceremonies, two antagonistic faces whose splicing works. None invades the territory of the other.

That cocktail synthesizes the spirit of the set that inhabits parody. From classical horror cinema to rockabilly, it is possible to put together a puzzle with the different styles that the Damned knew how to wear in their 50 years.

Gray’s bass line introduces NEAT NEAT NEATproclaims furious that puts a lock to the show in the middle of another strong pogo of the monada. In those waters it is where the formation wins, because communion with the public, always friend of everything that emanates danger, is forged in that field.

Before, TV Smithof The Adverts, with his acoustic guitar in tow he had warmed people to pure muscle and trade. Sergio Rotman and his Dub Clash Orchestrawith classics such as Straight to Hell, Police and Thieves and Bankrobber, all evocations to the only band that matters. The premises Seed of evil They were those in charge of the tape in flowers.

Less than five minutes after having gone, The Damned returns to the stage. They sound Curtain Callfrom his album The Black Album. Scabies pays exam with a single single but pyrotechnic, with fire included, whose deriva is New Rosehymn of the band and gender. Chacha and drum in front, as if there were no tomorrow. Rock and roll is simple. 4-4-2 to get champion.

The Damned.jpg

The Damned at the Flores Theater.

Probably, many have known this topic through the SEVEN AGES OF ROCK DOCUMENTARY OF VH1, which raised an alternative vision of rock history and had it as the curtain of its seven chapters. All sum. The quartet is removed for the second time. The photo of Brian James, guitarist and founding member is on the screen, who died just days ago.

Therefore, when returning, sensitive launches white and red roses to the public in memory of your route partner, step prior to shooting the arpegio of Smash it up. The dance and playful combo marks the end. Now yes. It ended. It is time to join things, take the bondi and continue with other issues. For a while it didn’t matter what happened outside; For a while the underground of London planted flag in flowers.

Four adventurers, with an average of 70 years, succeeded. “I need a backward machine,” Walas sings on Massacre’s last album. There are those who say that young people are the future. Good luck with that.