The Damned - Machine Gun Etiquette (1979)

Two years after their debut and a year after they'd split up, the Damned became the first punk band to make a comeback. Their timing was great; two years being a very long time on the UK music scene, a "second wave" of punk was getting underway. The Damned shocked critics and fans alike by releasing an album as good as their first, Damned Damned Damned.

Rejoining forces without James, who pursued his own interests from then on (only hooking up with the band again for a late-'80s "farewell" show), the remaining three brought in young Saints veteran Ward on bass, recorded an album, and hoped for the best. That best proved much better than expected; while singles ended up on the charts, Etiquette itself was deservedly hailed as another classic from the band. Over time, its reputation has grown to equal the original Damned Damned Damned; while no less strong than that record, the Damned here bring in a wide variety of touches and influences to create a record that most of their contemporaries could never have approached. The group's wicked way around witty punk hadn't ebbed a bit; the opening cut, "Love Song", is a hilarious trashing of romantic clichés (sample lyric: "I'll be the rubbish, you'll be the bin!") that barely lasts two minutes, while "Noise, Noise, Noise" and "Liar" work in the same general vein. These, however, only scratch the surface. "Melody Lee", written by the Captain for a favorite comic character, starts with a lovely piano intro, whereas the celebratory angst of "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" chugs along with garagey élan and keyboards á la the Electric Prunes. Other prime standouts include "Plan 9 Channel 7", a Grand Guignol of an epic about James Dean and Vampira with a fantastic Vanian vocal; the merry mayhem of "These Hands" (belonging to a killer circus clown, with appropriate carnival music, of course); and a great rip through the MC5's "Looking at You". The best moment was saved for last, though: "Smash It Up", a two-part number divided between an affecting instrumental tribute to longtime supporter and Captain hero Marc Bolan, and a perfect trash-the-rules-and-party pop/punk/R&B scorcher.

~ Ned Raggett, AMG

Tracklist:

01. Love Song
02. Machine Gun Etiquette
03. I Just Can't Be Happy Today
04. Melody Lee
05. Anti-Pope
06. These Hands
07. Plan 9 Channel 7
08. Noise, Noise, Noise
09. Looking At You
10. Liar
11. Smash It Up, parts 1 & 2
12. Love Song (Ed Hollis version*)
13. Noise, Noise, Noise (Ed Hollis version*)
14. Suicide
15. Smash It Up, part 2 (Backing track - singalonga Damned)
16. Smash It Up, part 4
17. Burglar
18. I Just Can't Be Happy Today (DJ edit)
19. Ballroom Blitz
20. Turkey Song

all songs written by The Damned except "9" by MC5 & "19" by Chinn & Chapman.
Produced by Roger Armstrong & The Damned except * by Ed Hollis
Recorded at Utopia Studios, Chalk Farm Studios, Sound-Suite Recording, Workhouse Studios and SGS Recording Studios (London, March - May 1979)
& Sound-Suite Recording, Workhouse Studios and Wessex Studios (London, July - August 1979).

• Dave Vanian – vocals
• Captain Sensible - guitar, vocals
• Algy Ward - bass, guitar on "10"
• Rat Scabies – drums
* Lemmy Kilmister - bass on "19"

Original Release Date: November 2, 1979
Release Date: November 8, 2004
Label: Ace Records (Chiswick)