The Damned return to NZ after 25 years

Reformed UK punk band The Damned return to NZ to play The Powerstation on January 25. Photo / Supplied

English punk stalwarts the Damned (pictured) return to New Zealand for the first time in more than 25 years.

The current line-up includes founding members Dave Vanian (vocals) and Captain Sensible (guitar, pictured) who formed the band in London in 1976 and proceeded to crank out songs like first single New Rose, the rough and ready Neat Neat Neat, and the sulky punk of I Just Can't Be Happy Today.

They were last here on the tour in 1986 for the album Phantasmagoria, which included the catchy-yet-ghoulish single Grimly Fiendish, and around the same time they had a hit with Eloise.

They play the Powerstation on January 25.

And there is good news for Sisters Of Mercy fans, with the Andrew Eldritch-led band rescheduling their Auckland show after being forced to cancel when Australia's Soundwave Revolution was called off.

However, the band are now on the bill for the separate Soundwave 2012 festival, also across the ditch, and play the Powerstation on February 22.

The godfather of psychedelic rock, Roky Erickson, formerly of Texan psyche garage rockers 13th Floor Elevators, plays for the first time in New Zealand at the Powerstation on March 7.

And returning to Auckland are storming and unhinged garage rock quartet the Black Lips, who were last here for the inaugural New Zealand Laneway festival in 2010, and play the Powerstation on February 28.

Tickets to all shows on sale from Ticketmaster on October 27.

Also playing a New Zealand side-show off the back of Soundwave are American metallers Lamb of God, who will be at the Studio in Auckland on March 7.

-TimeOut