Machine Gun Etiquette

Machine Gun Etiquette
Studio album by The Damned
Released	November 1979
Recorded	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)
Genre	Punk rock
Length	35:28
Label	Chiswick
Producer	The Damned, Roger Armstrong
The Damned chronology
Music for Pleasure (1977) Machine Gun Etiquette (1979) The Black Album (1980)

Machine Gun Etiquette is the third album by the British punk band The Damned, released in November 1979. The album was the group's first since reforming with Dave Vanian on vocals, Captain Sensible on lead guitar, Rat Scabies on drums and Algy Ward on bass. Machine Gun Etiquette saw the band become more experimental; without Brian James, the song-writing was more democratic, resulting in a blend of punk, psychedelic rock and pop styles. The album includes a cover version of "Looking at You", originally by the MC5; a CD reissue included a cover of the Jefferson Airplane song "White Rabbit" and Sweet's "Ballroom Blitz".

Recording sessions

• Utopia Studios (17 March 1979): the band recorded 3 songs (Love Song, Noise, Noise, Noise and Suicide) with producer Ed Hollis for single release.
• Chalk Farm Studio (2 April 1979): not content with the original take, the band record new vocals for Love Song, the resulting final version being used on the single and album.
• Workhouse Studios (14 May 1979): The Damned and Motörhead record two songs (Over The Top and Ballroom Blitz) for a planned single under the joint moniker Motördamn. As the two tracks remain unfinished, the plan is abandoned.
• Sound-Suite Recording (21–23 May 1979): 5 album tracks recorded (Machine Gun Etiquette, Melody Lee, Plan 9 Channel 7 and Smash It Up (Part 1)). The band also records Burglar and Smash It Up (Part 4) which are later used as single b-sides. 4 more songs recorded remain unreleased to this day (Teenage Dream, Edna (The Girl I Never Met), Liar (instrumental alternative version) and Dr Phibes Has Fun).
• Workhouse Studios (24–25 May 1979): 2 more album tracks recorded (Anti-Pope and Looking at You). 2 more songs recorded remain unreleased to this day (Smash It Up (Part 2) (alternative version) and A Day in the Country).
• SGS Recording Studios (28–30 May 1979): 1 album track recorded (I Just Can't Be Happy Today) plus 2 more songs (Turkey Song and Smash It Up (Part 3)) later used as single b-sides.
• Sound-Suite Recording (16–19 July 1979): the band return to the Sound-Suite to work on the tracks recorded there back in May.
• Wessex Studios (August 1979): the last 3 album tracks recorded (These Hands, Liar and Smash It Up (Part 2)). The band mix, edit and partially re-record the other album tracks.
• Wessex Studios (1 November 1979): the band return to the studio for one day to complete the May 1979 version of Ballroom Blitz, edit and re-record a radio DJ version of I Just Can't Be Happy Today and mix Turkey Song.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Classic Rock

Allmusic's retrospective review reported that when it was released, Machine Gun Etiquette "was deservedly hailed as another classic from the band". They praised the variety of styles explored and the group's typically strong wit. Scott Rowley of Classic Rock, reviewing the 25th Anniversary Edition of Machine Gun Etiquette, defines it "a riotous, ballsy rush of an album, (...) the sound of a band coming into its own", adding that "while The Clash looked to America for inspiration, The Damned remained resolutely British".

Track listing

All songs written by The Damned, except where noted.

1. "Love Song" – 2:21
2. "Machine Gun Etiquette" – 1:48
3. "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" – 3:42
4. "Melody Lee" – 2:07
5. "Anti-Pope" – 3:21
6. "These Hands" – 2:03
7. "Plan 9 Channel 7" – 5:08
8. "Noise, Noise, Noise" – 3:10
9. "Looking at You" (MC5) – 5:08
10. "Liar" – 2:44
11. "Smash It Up (Part 1)" – 1:59
12. "Smash It Up (Part 2)" – 2:53

CD reissue bonus tracks

13. "Ballroom Blitz" (Mike Chapman, Nicky Chinn) – 3:30
14. "Suicide" – 3:14
15. "Rabid (Over You)" – 3:41
16. "White Rabbit" (Grace Slick) – 5:13

25th Anniversary Edition CD

1. "Love Song" – 2:21
2. "Machine Gun Etiquette" – 1:48
3. "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" – 3:42
4. "Melody Lee" – 2:07
5. "Anti-Pope" – 3:21
6. "These Hands" – 2:03
7. "Plan 9 Channel 7" – 5:08
8. "Noise, Noise, Noise" – 3:10
9. "Looking at You" – 5:08
10. "Liar" – 2:44
11. "Smash It Up (Parts 1 & 2)" – 5:13
12. "Love Song" (Ed Hollis version) - 2:02
13. "Noise, Noise, Noise" (Ed Hollis version) - 3:25
14. "Suicide" - 3:17
15. "Smash It Up (Part 2)" - 2:56
16. "Smash It Up (Part 4)" - 1:57
17. "Burglar" - 3:33
18. "I Just Can't be Happy Today" (DJ edit) - 3:00
19. "Ballroom Blitz" - 3:28
20. "Turkey Song" - 4:04
21. "Plan 9, Channel 7" (video clip) - 6:18

Band

• Dave Vanian - Vocals
• Captain Sensible - Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
• Rat Scabies - Drums, Vocals
• Algy Ward - Bass, Vocals