Fifty years on from their explosive debut single “New Rose”, THE DAMNED have evolved from punk pioneers to national treasures. But as a new album pays tribute to Brian James, their fallen co-founder, bandmates Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible and Rat Scabies – along with sundry eyewitnesses and ne’erdo-wells – recall the volatile beginnings, creative vision and incorrigible spirit of The Damned’s groundbreaking first act. “It was CID, villains and the Captain in a nurse’s outfit,” hears Peter Watts

Rat City Rockers TEE PEE

From The Bottom Of An Old Grandfather Clock (reissue, 2004) DEAD OCEANS

Featuring tributes to curry and fantasy battles involving… rats?! here are all the records our critics loved this year

London Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Black And Blue UMC/POLYDOR