"Machine Gun Etiquette" is the third studio album by the English punk rock band The Damned, released on November 9, 1979, by Chiswick Records. The album marked a significant evolution in the band's sound, peaking at No. 31 on the UK Charts.
This album was the first to feature a reformed lineup, including original members Dave Vanian on vocals, Captain Sensible on lead guitar, and Rat Scabies on drums, alongside newcomer Algy Ward on bass guitar. Ward, previously of the Australian punk band The Saints, contributed to the album during his brief tenure with The Damned.
The sound of Machine Gun Etiquette incorporated a wider variety of influences beyond their punk roots, blending elements of hard rock, heavy metal, psychedelic rock, and classic 1960s rhythm and blues. Critics have described it as a fusion of styles, likening it to "The Beach Boys meets Motörhead" with influences from T. Rex and Judas Priest. The album is also noted for its fast-paced punk tracks and is considered a proto-hardcore record, paving the way for the rise of hardcore punk in the 1980s.
The album opens with a voiceover by actor Jack Howarth, sampled from his 1971 album 'Ow Do, featuring Lancastrian monologues. Notably, the album includes contributions from several guest musicians, including Lemmy from Motörhead, who played bass on The Damned's cover of "Ballroom Blitz" by The Sweet. While this track was initially released as a single and not included on the original album, it was later added to the reissued version. Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon from The Clash also make appearances on the album.
The album's artwork was designed by Philip Lloyd-Smee, contributing to its distinctive visual identity. Overall, Machine Gun Etiquette remains a landmark release in The Damned's discography and the punk rock genre.
