Captain Sensible
Captain Sensible is the stage name of Raymond Burns, a singer and guitarist from Balham, United Kingdom, born in 1954. He is associated with new wave and rock, and is also known for playing bass at times. He founds and plays in the punk band The Damned, which he forms in 1976.
Career
After leaving The Damned, Captain Sensible develops a new-wave solo identity with a self-aware, rebellious image. His solo work includes the singles “Wot?”, “Happy Talk”, “One Christmas Catalogue” and “Glad It’s All Over”. “Happy Talk” reaches number one in the UK and is recorded with backing from Dolly Mixture.
In 1980 he travels to the Netherlands and plays drums for Cheap’n’Nasty when their drummer is unavailable. He also tours with his solo project Punk Floyd, a spoof of Pink Floyd.
With The Damned and other projects
He rejoins The Damned in 1996 after Rat Scabies leaves, and co-writes Grave Disorder, the band’s first new studio album in 12 years, in 2001. He remains active with the band. He is also a member of Dead Men Walking, a super-group with Mike Peters of The Alarm, Kirk Brandon of Spear of Destiny and Slim Jim of Stray Cats. He is later listed as a member of The Sensible Gray Cells and King.
Image and performance
His stage image includes a red beret, and one of his trademark live gestures is playing guitar with an empty beer can.
Family
He is the father of Syd Bor of Beetzart.
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