The Damned were the First to Release a UK Punk Single with “New Rose”

Is she really going out with him?

On October 22nd, 1976—The Damned released the first UK Punk Single “New Rose” on Stiff Records. The song, recorded in just one day, was produced by Nick Lowe at Pathway Studios in London.

“New Rose” was written by guitarist Brian James, and was also included on the group’s full-length debut album, Damned Damned Damned.

The unaffected tongue in cheek intro by singer Dave Vanian (“Is she really going out with him?”) was a send-up to the 1964 Shangri-Las song “Leader of the Pack”.

Watch the video, with a black lipstick clad Dave Vanian, below: