THE DAMNED ANNOUNCE COVERS ALBUM
The Damned announce the release of Not Like Everybody Else, a deeply personal and celebratory covers album – dedicated to the memory of Brian James, the band’s legendary founding guitarist, who passed away on 6th March 2025. Recorded in a blistering five days of emotion and creative fire at Revolver Studio, Los Angeles, the album finds The Damned – Dave Vanian on vocals, Captain Sensible on guitar, Rat Scabies on drums, Paul Gray on bass and joined by longtime keyboardist Monty Oxymoron – reconnecting with the raw energy that started it all.
Kicking off with R. Dean Taylor’s ‘There’s A Ghost In My House’ and moving through classics like Pink Floyd’s ‘See Emily Play’ and The Animals’ ‘When I Was Young’, the album closes with a powerful farewell: ‘The Last Time’ by The Rolling Stones, featuring Brian James himself, taken from his final live performance with The Damned at Hammersmith and lovingly remixed for this release.
To celebrate the album, The Damned will play a one-off covers show at Albert Hall, Manchester on 28th January 2026 performing songs from Not Like Everybody Else alongside fan-favourite covers that have marked their career.
Fans who order the album through the Official Album Store starting 29th October will receive early access to release show tickets. In addition, three exclusive 7” vinyl singles featuring previously unreleased B-sides will be available for pre-sale in the store
The first single, ‘There’s A Ghost In My House’, reimagines R. Dean Taylor’s classic with The Damned’s unmistakable energy and dark charm. Driven by Captain Sensible’s urgent guitar and Dave Vanian’s atmospheric vocal delivery, the track perfectly blends Northern soul spirit and gothic rock swagger. It’s both a nod to Brian James’s love of raw, melodic power and a reminder of The Damned’s gift for turning familiar songs into something entirely their own.
The Damned have also announced a special 50th anniversary show at OVO Arena Wembley on Saturday 11th April 2026, marking five decades since the band first exploded onto the scene as one of the founders of British punk rock. The milestone celebration will also feature special guests The Loveless featuring Marc Almond, Peter Hook And The Light and The Courettes.
Set to coincide with The Damned’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Not Like Everybody Else is a heartfelt homage, and a testament to the enduring spirit of one of punk’s most pioneering bands.
Not Like Everybody Else is released 23rd January 2026, preceded by the release of single There’s A Ghost In My House for 30th October 2025.
The album will be available in CD Digipak, 1LP Gatefold (black, 180g) Ltd. Rainbow Sparkle 1LP Gatefold (180g).
Tracklisting CD/LP:
- There’s A Ghost In My House
- Summer In The City
- Making Time
- Gimme Danger
- See Emily Play
- I’m Not Like Everybody Else
- Heart Full Of Soul
- You Must Be A Witch
- When I Was Young
- The Last Time
Pre-save Not Like Everybody Else: https://damned.lnk.to/NotLikeEverybodyElsePR
Pre-save There’s A Ghost In My House: https://damned.lnk.to/TheresAGhostInMyHousePR
Tickets to the 50th anniversary show at OVO Arena Wembley: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/the-damned