The Damned, pioneers of UK punk, have unleashed a raw, electrifying cover of ‘Summer in the City,’ marking 50 years of rebellion and honoring their late guitarist Brian James with their upcoming album Not Like Everybody Else.
Fifty years after sparking the UK punk explosion, The Damned continue to redefine musical boundaries with their latest release—a gritty, high-energy cover of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s 1966 classic, “Summer in the City”. This track, now infused with the band’s signature punk intensity, serves as the final preview of their upcoming album, Not Like Everybody Else, set to drop on January 23 via earMUSIC.
The album is more than a collection of covers; it’s a tribute to the late founding guitarist Brian James, who passed away in 2025. James, a pivotal figure in the band’s early sound, penned their debut single “New Rose” and shaped their groundbreaking first album. His legacy looms large over this project, which reunites the band’s current lineup—Dave Vanian (vocals), Captain Sensible (guitar), Paul Gray (bass), and Monty Oxymoron (keyboards)—with drummer Rat Scabies, marking his first studio appearance with the band in four decades.
A Tribute to Punk’s Roots and Rock’s Legacy
Not Like Everybody Else is a sonic journey through the band’s influences, featuring reimagined tracks from Pink Floyd, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones, and more. Recorded in just five days at Revolver Studio in Los Angeles, the album captures the raw, unfiltered energy that defined The Damned’s early years. Each song reflects the band’s deep connection to rock history, proving that punk wasn’t about rejecting the past but reinventing it.
The tracklist is a testament to the band’s eclectic tastes and enduring impact:
- “There’s A Ghost In My House” (R. Dean Taylor)
- “Summer in the City” (The Lovin’ Spoonful)
- “Making Time” (The Creation)
- “Gimme Danger” (Iggy & The Stooges)
- “See Emily Play” (Pink Floyd)
- “I’m Not Like Everybody Else” (The Kinks)
- “Heart Full of Soul” (The Yardbirds)
- “You Must Be a Witch” (The Lollipop Shoppe)
- “When I Was Young” (The Animals)
- “The Last Time” (The Rolling Stones)
Why This Album Matters
This release arrives as The Damned prepare to celebrate a monumental milestone: 50 years since their formation and the birth of UK punk. As the first British punk band to release both a single and a full-length album, their influence is immeasurable. Not Like Everybody Else isn’t just a nod to their past—it’s a declaration that their spirit remains unbroken.
By covering “Summer in the City” alongside tracks from their rock heroes, The Damned bridge generations, showing how punk’s rebellious energy is rooted in the very music it once sought to disrupt. The album is a reminder that great music doesn’t age—it evolves, and The Damned are still leading the charge.
For fans, this album is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of punk. It’s a must-listen for anyone who believes music should challenge, inspire, and never fade into the background.
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