Machine Gun Etiquette

It’s The Damned, ‘nuff said.

The damneds third album ( a comeback on rival with the Jams all mod cons) is a power pop punk pysche garage classic. This opens up with one of the best 5 song beginnings to any record. Short and catchy and full of vigor and humor- the damned rip into MGE like theres no tomorrow(and at the time there was no tomorrow for the band). This encompasses the energy and vitality of the debut with forays into sixties style garage pysche and expanded arrangements and points the way towards the Black Album which is also excellent. I would include this in the punk Uk top ten though it is not really a punk record- this along with damned damned damned is essential good fun with a style that only the damned pulled off.

i love british punk, the toy dolls, the clash, u.k. subs, i love it all; so i started watching some of the damned's videos on youtube and dug 'em. i already loved the songs "love song" and "smash it up", which was later covered by the offspring. i was impressed with the entire album, it sounded professional, they are actually really good musicians, machine gun etiquette has a good mix of songs from fun fast punk to somewhat experimental circus sounding stuff, but all quality. go buy this album and impress all your friends who have never heard of one of the best/first british punk bands. cheers.

Finally, the Damned's crowning glory in superbly remastered form, and a well annotated booklet. If any Damned release deserves the deluxe treatment, it is Machine Gun Etiquette. Smart pop hooks, razor sharp playing, humor and a wild sense of abandon permeate the songs. And oh the songs: Smash It Up, I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Anti Pope, Plan 9 Channel 7, all classics! Minor quibble: the tracks on the Smash It Up single would have been a lovely bonus disc, or just as additional tracks, there is room. And another unreleased track or two would have been welcome. If you love raging rock/pop/punk/psyche, don't miss this one.

Plan 9, Channel 7 is one of the best songs on here !

The Damned's best record, in my opinion. The vinyl was in great condition, although they misled me with the posting and I got a different colored vinyl, so be aware of that.

Came new and plays amazing

One of their best albums....included bonus tracks and a video.... Great remaster of an incredible release.

This album along with 2 others (Damned, Damned, Damned and The Black Album) are what I consider to be this band's defining albums. Released in 1979, this album literally defies a definite classification as it crosses punk with a bit of metal and rock and throws in some crazy overtones in the process; it is, quite simply an absolute classic (I don't care who says anything to the contrary). This album goes from a 100 mph to 150 mph and then goes into a strange comical circus trip for 3 or 4 mins, then into rock mode and then some!!! Its just a powerhouse of raw energy but slightly off the beaten track and shows the band for what they really are and, that is, a really talented bunch of guys who, when they put their heads together, can really deliver the goods. Its the kind of album that you dont just need to play it at your sister.......................... you should play it to everyone and say, "listen to some real music instead of todays tacky corporate, conveyor belt gravy train of sickly pop !!!!!."I bought the original album back in the day (and still have it) which I only played once and recorded on tape to play rather than risk damaging the vinyl) which I would never sell but, I'm so glad I bought this with all the extras; with it being remastered, giving the listener extra tracks (some never before released and other rarities) and also having a lot of information in the booklet etc., this is well worth it!!! A FANTASTIC ALBUM AND A GREAT BUY !!!!

Machine Gun Etiquette was my introduction to this extraordinary band and what an introduction it was. I'd heard dribs and drabs throughout my lifetime but never a full album. I cannot over-emphasize enough just how much this album blew my balls off. For weeks and weeks I shuffled around like a junked up maniac, headphones enbedded into my eardrums, with this album as my drug.It opens up with a very subtle "Ladies and gentlement, how do?" and then it's straight into the proto-hardcore punk of "Love Song". This really sets the tone but don't get too comfortable as no more than two minutes in it's onto the Stooges-esque "Machine Gun Etiquette", heavier, faster and somehow shorter than it's bigger brother. Depression never sounded more joyous next in the 60's tinged "I Just Can't Be Happy Today", a nice u-turn from the opening two tracks underlined with a brilliant over the top organ solo.This album reminds me of being out on the town with a coked-up buddy, constantly tripping over themselves to get the next sentence out. You're only starting to get into the brilliance of "Melody Lee" before it stops, there's a cry of BOLLOX! and you're thrown into another punky classic "Anti-pope". This one should be noted for it's cleverly crafted double tracked bass-breakdown mid-section, culminating in one almighty payoff.The fairground dementia of "These Hands" provides a breather of sorts next, and by god you're gonna need it as it's one hell of a ride to the finish line from here on out. The highest point of the album so far comes with the sauring "Plan 9 Channel 7", the albums first real classic and one which really hits the sky at it's most intense. Special mention must go out to the lyrics on the next one "Noise Noise Noise", an obvious dig at your everyday punk man who's daily routine involves beating up his parents and kicking dogs.The only real low point(if you even could call it that) is on the inspired but flawed cover of MC5's "Looking At You". I say this because they use the exact same formula as "Anti-pope" whereas they break down a song and build it back up. It doesn't work here because as it's done so well in the first place it feels redundant, still not a bad song by any means. Normal service is resumed next with "Liar" which includes a cracking bass-line and one of my favorite lines ever, "I'll smoke your last cigarette and say someone else did".Every song on this album is so catchy and performed with such a high level of intensity that it's easy to forget to stand back and enjoy the musicianship. Captain Sensible had just hung up his bass and stepped up to the role of guitarist and piano/keyboard player after Brian James' untimely departure, and what a sublime job he does. Same can be said for Rat Scabies, the showy drummer who seems to put in a fill every two seconds. Sounds excessive but it suits this album down to the ground.If the whole album up to this point has been a pleasurable listen (and it certainly was for me) then what's served up next will be the icing on the cake. Although the title of the albums closer reads crudely "Smash It Up Parts 1&2", crude is a million miles away from what they accomplish here. Remember this is 1979 and The Damned are billed as a "punk band", there were a lot of purists around who probably didn't take kindly to the songs structure, "You can't have an instrumental, you're in a punk band!" Part 1 is a gorgeous fusion of guitar and bass with sends you drifing along for a blissful two minutes before part 2 takes over and carries you triumphantly to the end.I firmly believe this to be one of the greatest albums ever made. I'd hesitate to call it a great "punk" album because there's so much variation on offer, as is the same with The Clash's brilliant "London Calling". It barely takes it's foot off the accelerator and there's not a bad song to be heard, you know the score.

My vinyl album, locally pressed in NZ by EMI, has seen better days owing to a great many spins. So the CD was much appreciated, especially when in the car. There's nothing quite like "Love Song" (the lost son of Motörhead's "Ace Of Spades") or "Melody Lee" (I'd love to hear the solo piano intro done as the song in its entirety) when hoofing along at 100 kph. Or "Smash It Up" (especially Part 1) when stuck in gridlock. Along with "The Black Album", The Damned's finest explosion.

I have just bought this album on cd and it sounds as fresh as when i bought it in 1979 as a spotty young punk!great music is timeless,and this is great music.i love this recording it is loud,clear and full of bass,the way it should be!if you're looking for an introduction to the damned, machine gun etiquette will do the job!buy it then play loud!!!!!!!!!! Like the cardboard cover,a mini replica of the original lp sleeve with the inner sleeve,that came with the original lp.enjoy

Sounds like it was recorded in someone's garage but choc full of bangers - Love Song, Melody Lee, I Just Can't Be Happy Today, Antipope, Plan 9 Channel 7, Smash It Up. Best served loud. Great fun!