Following the 1989 breakup of The Damned, singer Dave Vanian, guitarist Roman Jugg and bassist Bryn Merrick formed the Phantom Chords with Brendan Mooney (guitar) and Clyde Dempsey (drums), releasing a cover of the Geoff Goddard song 'Johnny Remember Me' as their debut single in 1990. An 11-track album (including 'Johnny Remember Me') was written and recorded, and Polydor had planned to release it, but they changed their minds and only two one-sided acetates of it now exist. A promotional cassette was later made available for purchase at some of the venues when the band toured the United States later in 1993. The band released another single in 1992, with 'Town Without Pity' appearing on Camden Town Records, and by 1995 Donagh O'Leary had replaced Bryn Merrick on bass, following a tour of Britain and the US. In 1995 they eventually released their actual debut album 'David Vanian And The Phantom Chords' on Big Beat Records, promoting it by performing 'This House Is Haunted' on VH1 UK, and 'Born To Be Wicked' on ITV's "It's Bizarre". Oddly, this last song was not on the album, as the official debut contained all new material, and 'Born To Be Wicked' was recorded for the shelved 1991 album. The band's lineup was always very variable, and a 1993 Damned reunion meant that The Phantom Chords became a side project for Vanian, and they've released nothing since 1995, but both their albums, official and unofficial, contain some fine rockabilly/goth rock songs.
Track listing
01 Someone Up There
02 Born To Be Wicked
03 Gunning For Love
04 Pretty Girl
05 Haunted Garage
06 Johnny Remember Me
07 After The Lights Go Out
08 Piece Of My Heart
09 King Of Fools
10 Time After Time
11 The Loveless And The Damned
12 Ghost Train
13 Relentless
