THE PIANO PLAYS ’TIL MIDNIGHT
Monty Oxymoron Plays the Music of the Damned

HOW THE ALBUM CAME TO BE

This album was born out of lockdown. Before the pandemic, I was playing solo gigs in the US when a few kind friends there first suggested the idea. I tucked it away in the back of my mind for a while. Then suddenly, COVID hit, and we were all locked down, imprisoned in our homes, unable to meet or play. The Damned management suggested we make some videos to keep the fans happy and so I played “Under the Floor Again” (appropriately!) in the dark with the keyboard on the bed (as I have to due to lack of space for a real piano). Lockdown lifted briefly, and I was invited to do a short spot supporting Johnny Moped in London (meanwhile the band were able to record “Darkadelic”). This gig went well and it was after that Ian of Damaged Goods Records approached me to make an album. Seemed like a great idea and so I found a studio in Seaford with a really lovely grand piano to realise it on (far better than my electric piano!) The others seemed intrigued by the project: Dave Vanian liked what I played him! I’m hoping the album will further highlight the song writing talent of the band and help create a buzz toward the 50th year anniversary next year.

THE MUSIC

On some of the songs I have developed arrangements: “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today” for example (what do you do with a song produced by a whole electric ensemble when it’s stripped down to piano alone?). Other’s such as “The Dog” lend themselves to some crazy improvisation, which I love doing! Elsewhere I’ve let the songs speak for themselves. I hope I’ve done them justice as they are classics!


“Do what you can, while you can!”

Monty Oxymoron July 2025