By 1982's Strawberries, Captain Sensible apparently began to feel that he was casting pearls before swine, and he brought forth two novelty pop singles ("Happy Talk" and "Wot"), as if to prove that he could top the charts. He left the Damned in 1984.
What were the other members of The Damned to do? Once again, they defied expectations by creating what was purported to be the previously unreleased soundtrack album for a lost Sixties film called Give Daddy The Knife, Cindy. This soundtrack was allegedly performed by a mysterious group called Naz Nomad and The Nightmares.
Dave Vanian led the group as Naz Nomad, Rat Scabies became Nick Detroit, bassist Bryn Merrick was rechristened Buddy Lee Junior, and Roman Jugg did double duty as guitarist Sphinx Svenson and keyboardist Ulla.
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| Naz Nomad photographed by Pere-Ake Warn |
The Damned's next two albums, 1985's Phantasmagoria and 1987's Anything, were written and performed by Scabies, Vanian, Jugg, and Merrick. The latter three then started a new band called The Phantom Chords.
This post is recycled from a contribution I made to the late and lamented Willard's Wormholes blog. If you recall, Willard used to create "Faux Deluxe" expanded versions of his favorite albums. I was led by his example to pair Give Daddy The Knife, Cindy with the original songs covered by Naz & Co. Two live covers (of the Doors and the MC5) round out the set.
For more of Pere-Ake Warn's photography, visit his website. Sounds gave Roman Jugg the knife in the photo above. Thanks to the Aural Sculptors blog for sharing the live Naz tracks from 1987's Acid Daze festival. Surfadelic recently shared more music by Big Boy Pete, author of my favorite Naz Nomad track, "Cold Turkey".
http://www.mediafire.com/file/0hb628rscmc6hv5/NazNomad%2526Friendz.zip/file
ReplyDeleteVery cool idea! Thanks! - Stinky
ReplyDeleteAnd thank YOU! I've got a couple more "Faux Deluxe" features planned.
DeleteThe Phantom Chords debuted with a 1990 single (a cover of "Johnny Remember Me" b/w a Vanian original called “Ghost Train”), and released a second single in 1992 (with versions of "Town Without Pity” and “She’s A Bad Motorcycle”). They recorded an 11-track album, but Polydor has never released it. Cassettes were sold on tour, and a bootleg eventually appeared. An official album of new songs (David Vanian And The Phantom Chords) came out in 1995 on Big Beat Records, the same label that put out the Naz Nomad album. There's even a book about the Phantom Chords, "After The Lights Go Out" by Barry Hutchinson.
ReplyDeleteI downloaded the bootleg from RYP’s Twilight Zone blog, and added the songs from the second single. I wonder if the Phantom Chords learned "Bad Motorcycle" from Tav Falco's version?
http://www.mediafire.com/file/v3qzxe2t6wuc48n/PhantomChords1990-92.zip/file
Yes! This needed to be done. Great post, you have been really nailing them Jonder! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeletehttps://dataneverdies.blogspot.com/2020/05/blog-post_80.html
Thanks back at ya! H.W.'s link (above) is to the 1995 album by David Vanian And The Phantom Chords. Collect 'em all!
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