Sometime DAMNED rhythm section Rat Scabies and Paul Gray have reunited on the new album by PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN.
The L.A. based act is built around singers, guitarists and songwriters Alfie Agnew and Sean Elliott, both from punk band D.I.
Apparently, Alfie and Sean were playing a Xmas gig, at which Scabies just happened to be in attendance, and the pair coaxed him onstage to join them on a cover of The Damned's 'Smash It Up'. They later roped him into recording a version of the track with them at Agnew's home studio. Eventually he agreed to play on their first two digital albums Elixir I: Good Evening, Sir! and Elixir II: Election, both released last year.
Gray, who'd previously been in EDDIE & THE HOT RODS before joining The Damned for The Black Album and Strawberries, was contacted by Scabies through Facebook, and although they hadn't communicated since a run of Damned runion shows in the early 90s, he agreed to join the project.
The album, Disintegrate Me, was co-produced by the band with English producer David M Allen, who worked on the notorious Damned album Not Of This Earth, as well as releases by THE CURE and SISTERS OF MERCY. It's scheduled for release on 23 February through FullerTone Records.
Check out 'Electroconvulsive Therapy'.
With Scabies and Gray based in the UK, Professor And The Madman have recruited a local rhythm section for US dates. It's hoped that the pair will join the band for shows on this side of the pond.
As previously announced, Gray has rejoined The Damned for a forthcoming new album being recorded with Tony Visconti.
Professor And The Madman on Facebook
Top pic by John Gilhooey