The Damned and Britain’s First Punk Single

Episode 17 explores how The Damned’s debut single “New Rose” broke into the UK market, becoming Britain’s first punk record on a major independent label. From cramped rehearsal spaces in Soho to a rushed recording session at Decca, the episode traces the DIY ingenuity, street‑grown sound and underground distribution that turned a low‑budget 7‑inch into an icon of early punk culture. It also looks at how Stiff Records’ business model and the band’s touring ambitions set a blueprint for future British acts.

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