The Damned – First Avenue – Minneapolis MN – September 18th 2025

By Kyle Hansen 2 weeks ago

KFAI and First Avenue presents The Damned with special guests The Bellrays and Travoramo Fa Fa Fa

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

We missed the first band cause the times were mixed up so will have to catch them next time. Local dj and founder of Ramo records.

“Punk. Rock. Soul.” turned into a war cry in Minneapolis.

Opening for a legacy act like The Damned is no small task — but The BellRays didn’t just warm up the stage. They set it on fire.

From the moment Lisa Kekaula stepped onto the mic, the temperature in First Avenue rose. Backed by the ever-tight Bob Vennum on guitar, The BellRays delivered a blistering 40-minute set that had heads turning, jaws dropping, and a few fans wondering why they hadn’t heard of them before.

There’s no frontwoman in rock like Lisa. She doesn’t “sing” so much as command — every word felt like a challenge, every note like a celebration. Her vocals on “Blues for Godzilla” and “I Fall Down” were searing — a voice that mixes the bite of Tina Turner with the raw punch of Iggy Pop.

She didn’t just perform, she preached: pacing the stage, locking eyes with the crowd, fist in the air. The soul influence wasn’t watered down — it was weaponized.

Bob Vennum’s guitar tone was sharp, dirty, and full of swagger. Riffs tore through the room during “Hard Drive” and “Snakes”. The rhythm section was relentless — tight punk grooves blended with dirty garage rock and fuzzed-out soul energy.

They weren’t flashy — they didn’t need to be. Every moment was focused, lean, and burning with intent.

  • “Blues for Godzilla” — kicked off the set with thunderous grit

  • “California” — immediate crowd engagement; clapping, stomping

  • “Pinball City” — one of the most soulful moments of the night

  • “Changing Colors” — slinky and hypnotic, with a bluesy edge

  • “Ball of Confusion” — Kekaula’s high notes stunned the room

  • “Down on My Knees” — full punk-soul riot; highlight of the set

  • “Black Night” — closed things out with righteous fury

At first, the crowd was curious — maybe skeptical. But by the third song, people were fully engaged. Heads were nodding, fists pumping, and you could see a few fans mouthing along to choruses. Those unfamiliar with The BellRays were visibly impressed, and longtime fans were clearly having a moment. When Lisa shouted, “This is not a warm-up. This is a wake-up call!” — it didn’t feel like a line. It felt like gospel.

A raw, explosive, genre-defying set that left no room for indifference.
The BellRays proved, yet again, that rock doesn’t need saving — it just needs more bands like them. Equal parts punk energy and soul conviction, their performance was a battle cry for authenticity.

Minneapolis won’t forget this opener anytime soon — and more than a few people walked out of First Ave with a new favorite band.

The Damned came to First Avenue with a vengeance Thursday night, showing no signs of slowing down despite decades of wear, lineup changes, and genre pivots. What unfolded over 90+ minutes was a celebration not just of their legacy, but of their refusal to be boxed into it.

Captain Sensible, never one to play it straight, was in full cheeky form — red beret and all. Whether thrashing through “Love Song” or launching into playful banter about Minneapolis weather (“Feels like Victorian London with central heating!”), he provided the raw punk edge that balances Vanian’s theatrics. His guitar tone was sharp, crunchy, and unapologetically loud — exactly what the crowd wanted.

Paul Gray’s bass work was solid and forceful, carrying the darker numbers with the kind of low-end presence you feel in your chest. Rat Scabies on the drums were tight, with just enough chaos to keep the punk edge intact. “Ignite” and “Machine Gun Etiquette” had the pit heaving in approval.

Monty remains the band’s secret weapon. His swirling keyboard textures filled out the sound beautifully, especially on post-punk and goth-tinged tracks like “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde”. His stage presence — part mad scientist, part joyful spectator — brought levity and color.

Highlights

  • “Street of Dreams” – a grand opening; instantly atmospheric

  • “Neat Neat Neat” – still hits like a bottle to the face

  • “Eloise” – crowd sang every word; gothic melodrama at its best

  • “Beware of the Clown” – a newer track, surprisingly tight live

  • “New Rose” – pure punk nostalgia, loud and loose

  • “Smash It Up” (Parts 1 & 2) – saved for the encore, complete mayhem

  • Cover of “White Rabbit” (Jefferson Airplane) – Vanian made it eerie and cinematic

First Avenue was packed — a mix of black-clad lifers and younger punks discovering the band for the first time. The venue’s legendary acoustics served them well: the balance was crisp, with Monty’s keyboards and Vanian’s vocals never getting buried, even in louder moments. The pit got rowdy during the early punk material (“Anti-Pope,” “Melody Lee”), but respectful.

Audience interaction was strong — Vanian even stepped up to the front during “Curtain Call”, hand outstretched, soaking in the adoration. Captain Sensible, meanwhile, took a moment to poke fun at American beer before launching into a solo tease of “Happy Talk” to roaring laughter.

Still vital. Still theatrical. Still loud. The Damned didn’t just rest on their history — they made the case that aging punk bands can still evolve without compromise. The show was polished without losing edge, nostalgic without being stuck in time, and emotional without ever dragging.

If this tour is their last run at full throttle, Minneapolis got one hell of a ride.