Evil Spirits

Album: Evil Spirits (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title track of The Damned's 11th album is a riposte to the inertia of the UK's two main political parties. Guitarist Captain Sensible commented to Louder Sound: "Whoever you vote for, nothing changes. Labour or Tory, two cheeks of same bum."
  • The song finds the former punks exploring a progressive rock sound with echoes of late '60s The Who. Vocalist Dave Vanian said:

    "The Who are never far away from The Damned's sound. We've had some big noses in this band, too. I suppose there are some parallels between us, because they were a high-energy band, too, but then Pete started writing his rock-opera stuff, stretching out, looking for different ways of writing. Queen did the same sort of thing as well – we're one of those bands whose music can cover different genres of music, within one song."
  • The Damned entered the UK album chart in the top 10 for the first time in their 41 year career when Evil Spirits debuted at #7 on the listing.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.