The Damned Honour Founding Guitarist Brian James With Powerful Covers Album
“Not Like Everybody Else” lands January 2026, featuring a career-spanning tribute and a rare studio reunion.
The Damned have announced Not Like Everybody Else, a new covers album packed with heart, fire, and punk history. Set for release on 23rd January 2026 via earMUSIC, the record is a tribute to the band’s original guitarist and founding member Brian James, who passed away in March 2025.
Recorded in a whirlwind five-day session at Revolver Studio, Los Angeles, the album sees the classic lineup — Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies, Paul Gray, and Monty Oxymoron — reunited in the studio for the first time in four decades. The result is a blazing tribute that captures both the raw urgency and unshakable legacy of one of punk’s most influential bands.
PRE-SAVE HERE
From Northern Soul to Psychedelic Rock
The album kicks off with a reimagined take on R. Dean Taylor’s There’s A Ghost In My House, powered by Captain Sensible’s razor-edged guitar and Vanian’s haunting vocal presence. The band channels everything from the swagger of The Animals (When I Was Young) to the kaleidoscopic tension of Pink Floyd (See Emily Play), finally closing with The Last Time by The Rolling Stones — featuring Brian James himself, captured during his final live performance with The Damned at Hammersmith and lovingly remixed for this release.
The first single, There’s A Ghost In My House, arrives on 30th October, complete with a music video directed by Gilbert Trejo and shot during the band’s explosive U.S. tour, including their CBGBs Festival set in Brooklyn. Pre-saves are now open.
One Night Only: Covers Show in Manchester
To mark the release, The Damned will perform a one-off covers show at Albert Hall, Manchester, on 28th January 2026. Fans can expect tracks from Not Like Everybody Else alongside beloved covers from the band’s live history. Early access to tickets will be available to fans who order the album from the Official Album Store starting 29th October.
Three limited 7” vinyl singles featuring exclusive B-sides will also be made available for pre-sale.
50 Years of Punk: Wembley Arena Blowout
The album forms part of a wider celebration of The Damned’s 50th anniversary — and by extension, the 50th anniversary of punk itself. The band, who released the UK’s first punk single (New Rose) and album (Damned, Damned, Damned), will mark the occasion with a massive show at OVO Arena Wembley on Saturday 11th April 2026.
The celebration will feature a stacked lineup of special guests, including The Loveless featuring Marc Almond, Peter Hook And The Light, and The Courettes.
Tickets to the 50th anniversary show at OVO Arena Wembley HERE
Not Like Everybody Else – Tracklisting
Side A
- There’s A Ghost In My House
- Summer In The City
- Making Time
- Gimme Danger
- See Emily Play
Side B
6. I’m Not Like Everybody Else
7. Heart Full Of Soul
8. You Must Be A Witch
9. When I Was Young
10. The Last Time
