Machine Gun Etiquette is the first album released after guitarist Brian James left the band. It is recorded in periods from March to August 1979 in several studios in London, and released 2 November same year. Note that Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead) attend on bass on Ballroom Blitz and Joe Strummer (The Clash) as backing vokal.

It is the third studio album from The Damned after Damned Damned Damned and Music for Pleasure, followed up by  The Black Album in 1980 and later Strawberries in 1982. 5 great albums in 5 years! Except Music For Pleasure some folks might say. It’s not the best, I agree, but also not as bad as the score in Rateyourmusic indicates. Machine Gun Etiquette contains the 3 singles released prior to the album: Love Song,  Smash It Up and I Just Can’t Be Happy Today.

The copy I listen while writing is the first pressing from Netherlands released 1979 as the UK press. It also includes the cartoon inner showing some of the cords from Smash It Up on one site and photos of the band members on the other side. In between it says:

All instruments played by the DAMNED
Thanks to the Road Crew: Tommy and Kenny (You’re fired!)
Alan Ballard and Mick Young took the snaps
Art(?) work(??) by Phil Smee
Bye Rick

Since the Damned has been a favorite band during many years and I like all their albums, they will be back here in the Dandy Records section again for sure.

Dave Vanian – lead vocals
Captain Sensible – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards, bass
Rat Scabies – drums, backing vocals
Algy Ward – bass, backing vocals, guitar

Additional musicians
Joe Strummer – backing vocals
Topper Headon – backing vocals
Henry Badowski – backing vocals
Paul Simonon – hand claps
Lemmy Kilmister – bass, backing vocals