On their fifth album from 1982 (originally titled “Strawberries For Pigs”, which also explains the motif on the cover), The Damned underwent a number of changes. Captain Sensible discovered his talent as a singer, which can be heard on the tracks “Life Goes On” and “Don’t Bother Me”.

Hugh Jones (Simple Minds, Echo & The Bunnymen) produced the album in a pop direction and also oriented himself towards the emerging New Wave sound. Paul Gray left the band after the recordings and Captain Sensible followed suit immediately after the subsequent tour. Singer David Vanian transformed himself into a vampire on stage, anticipating the goth image that would accompany The Damned in the following years.

Despite all the changes, “Strawberries” is an astonishingly cohesive work that occupies a prominent status in The Damned’s discography.

CD1
1. Ignite
2. Generals
3. Stranger On the Town
4. Dozen Girls
5. The Dog
6. Gun Fury (of Riot Forces)
7. Pleasure and the Pain
8. The Missing Link
9. Life Goes On
10. Bad Time For Bonzo
11. Under the Floor Again
12. Don T Bother Me