Machine Gun Etiquette

Product Information

AllMusic's retrospective review reported that when it was released, Machine Gun Etiquette was "deservedly hailed as another classic from the band". At over five minutes, it goes though many different changes and tempos, yet remains heavy, but the best part is where Captain Sensible does his lengthy guitar solo that takes over the latter half of the song. Lyrics ‘There’s no feeling fine without being fined’ and ‘Illegal to dance Forbidden to cry’ suggest humanity is doomed due to resistance to human emotion. I've still got the vinyl single which had 4 different picture covers - one for each band member, but I ended up with the Algy Ward one! Featuring Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon on clapping duties due to the nature of both bands recording their 3 rd albums at ‘Wessex Sound Studios’ at the same time, it offers exceptional talent throughout, despite Strummer and Simonon maybe not being on their preferred instruments (The Hands™).

The Damned – Machine Gun Etiquette (2004, 25th Anniversary

I’ll be the ticket if you’re my collector, I’ll pay the fare if you’re my inspector’ incites the feeling that whoever the protagonist is, they’re willing to do things for this one person that they wouldn’t usually do, reluctantly breaking their macho exterior.rd track and 3 rd single ‘I just Can’t Be Happy Today’ depicts a world where despite all efforts to do so, it’s impossible to feel satisfied. Title track ‘Machine Gun Etiquette’ features much harder and chaotic instrumentation akin to Lemmy Kilmister’s Motorhead, as well as an apocalypse style riff which falls in and out of the spotlight throughout. The song is thought to have taken inspiration from Bunty Comics’ story following a girl of the same name and her life on the streets and other events, however the comics themselves are difficult to track down. Anti-Pope is an interesting song, keeping a poppy and signature style for the band but only before going into a bongo breakdown halfway though, showing more diversity of the album.

The Damned - Machine Gun Etiquette - Ace Records The Damned - Machine Gun Etiquette - Ace Records

I remember seeing them on Top of the Pops doing Love Song with Captain Sensible in a pink fur suit and the band seemed to spend the whole track trying to push him off the back of the stage - must have a look on Youtube for it. This is one of the most successful albums by The Damned and it's clear to see why…the album includes outstanding classics like 'I Just Can't Be Happy Today', 'Smash It Up' and 'Love Song'.Hinting at both new wave and post-punk (indeed Vanian’s foreboding baritone is the blueprint for male post-punk vocals) I Just Can’t Be Happy Today sees Sensible putting on a keyboardist’s hat with atmospheric synthesizers and an amusingly naff farfisa solo while the terrific lead bass line pulls the listener through this moody yet catchy, more deliberately paced number.

The Damned - Machine Gun Etiquette Lyrics and Tracklist - Genius

There is more musical richness in the compositions without losing a bit of the strength, the grit and the madness that they had inside.The album is often regarded as some of their finest work, largely due to the experimentation that supports their previous punk and pop sound and future more Goth-like sound as well as the incorporation of some new instruments. Love Song charted and two Top of The Pops appearances ensued, but then Smash It Up was banned by the Beeb for fear of inciting revolution. By then punk rock and its neater sibling, new wave, were regularly producing real hits in the UK and the Damned were no exception, with three hit singles drawn from the MACHINE GUN ETIQUETTE LP released that year.