The Damned returned to Oxford the first time in 14 years on Saturday and it appeared that all Oxford's hard-core punks had all emerged from their daytime hiding places, writes Nigel Webb.

The line-up may have changed with only Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible remaining from the band's punk origins but they were all in fine form as they took to the stage to the theme from TV's The Banana Splits.

With an immediate switch into New Rose, quickly followed by the excellent Wait for the Blackout and Discoman, the band set the tone for the night.

The whole venue, packed to capacity, came alive, generating enough energy to light the city.

New members Monty, Pinch and Patricia Morrison formerly of Sisters of Mercy fitted in very well, although Miss Morrison did seem slightly bemused by the proceedings from time to time.

The set continued with I Just Can't Be Happy Today! , Nasty, Looking At You the MC5 classic and a slightly heavier version of The Shadow of Love.

The first of three new tracks was premiered, with the band bringing the news that a new recording deal is almost secured with an American Indie label (rumoured to be Nitro).

The new tracks appear to be influenced by the American punk skateboard scene and were met with a mixed reaction from the band's long-serving followers, prompting the good Captain to share with us certain parts of his anatomy and an acoustic solo of Happy Talk before the others returned with classics Neat Neat Neat and Love Song.

An encore of Eloise and The National Anthem (in Jimi Hendrix style), sent the audience away happy.

Hopefully with a new deal soon, The Damned may not take so long to return to the city of squealing tyres.