Ain’t That A Shame

Andy Blade pays tribute to The Damned’s Brian James with an EP of songs they co-wrote. The lead track is an instant classic. “Ain’t That A Shame” channels the bittersweet grandeur of classics like “Ain’t It Fun” by the Dead Boys, “Baby Baby” by The Vibrators, and “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory” by Johnny Thunders, alongside the melodic ache associated with The Only Ones. Sometimes you play a song, and it feels like you’ve known it your whole life. Nearly 50 years after it was first written, ‘Ain’t That A Shame’ finally emerges as the 24-carat earworm it was always destined to be – a lost punk era classic reborn. In 1978, during a late-night, alcohol-fuelled studio session, Andy Blade (formerly of Eater), Brian James (founding member of The Damned) and Mark Laff of Generation X came together for an all-star collaboration. The trio recorded two tracks of the four Blade/James songs they had written together – “Lying Again” and “Death Awaits” – showcasing a psychedelic new wave edge driven by James’ unmistakable guitar and Blade’s urgent vocal delivery. Shortly after the session, the short-lived union dissolved. James would later revisit one of the songs they’d worked on together “Ain’t That A Shame” (originally titled “I’m Not Taking All The Blame” with Blade’s lyrics) – reshaping it for his first solo single before going on to form The Lords of the New Church with Stiv Bators. For decades, that could have been the end of the story but in 2025 Andy Blade decided to re-record the original version with Billy King (John Mckay’s Reactor) playing Brian’s parts. The result is nothing short of a revelation – an irresistibly catchy song, driven by a nagging, poignant guitar coda and Blade’s characteristically emotive vocal. It is a fitting tribute to the late Brian James, complete with a solo that captures James’ distinctive, razor-sharp style. “I am sure Brian would approve. It is my tribute to him”, says Blade. Timeless in its appeal, “Ain’t That A Shame” feels equally at home in a sweaty club or blasting across a festival field – the kind of anthem that has crowds singing back, arms and phones aloft.