No one can blame Dave Vanian for being bummed out about his band the Damned being overlooked.

The only consolation is that many recording artists, the Dambuilders, the Posies and Redd Kross, just to name a few, never scored deserved attention.

But thats how it goes in the music world. The Damned is one of those acts that has received the shortest straw over the years. The British band emerged the same year, 1976, as the much more celebrated Sex Pistols. The Damned caused a stir with its initial hit, The New Rose, but other British acts such as the Clash and Motorhead attracted a larger fan base.

I never understood it, Vanian said. The Damned have been so overlooked.

Vanian is correct but the silver lining is that, unlike the Clash, Sex Pistols and Motorhead, the Damned still exist four decades after the group formed in London. The act, with its fast-paced sonics and its edgy attitude, is not just a seminal punk act but it has also impacted the Goth world with Vanians dark lyrics and vampiric costumes.

Weve heard again and again over the years that weve influenced bands, Vanian said. Thats great but whats most significant is making the fans happy. Were a working band. Being in this band enables us to make a living doing what we love.

The Damned, which will perform Sunday at the Theatre of Living Arts, is on its 40th anniversary tour. Vanian, a singer with a commanding presence, is proud of the fact that his band has never compromised.

We do everything on our own terms, Vanian said. We couldnt do it any other way. I would rather struggle and do what I want to do artistically rather than creating something simply because it might make us money.

Ten albums and nine singles that cracked the UK Singles Chart Top 40 is impressive. Weve never given up, he said. Were always thinking that we can still be successful when it comes to new songs. It helped that we had some success. We know what were capable of. I love looking back on what we accomplished.

Vanian doesnt sound like anyone else with his croon, which is punctuated by his creepy theatrical approach.

When it comes to making music and playing live, its work but its a great time, Vanian said. Weve always put so much effort into the live shows. We try to make great albums. With (guitarist) Captain Sensible playing like he does, theres always hope that well make some great pop songs. He and I work really well together. I love being in a band with him.

The Damned, which also includes keyboardist Monty Oxymoron, bassist Stu West and drummer Pinch, is looking ahead after all of this time.

We still believe that we can come up with some great material, Vanian said. We have a future but we dont ignore the past when we perform. The fans appreciate what we do and I appreciate that they have stayed with us all of these years. We never became this massive band but there is something cool about being able to stay together doing this all these years.

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Underheralded The Damned is far from cursed when it comes to ... - Burlington County Times