Machine Gun Etiquette
Machine Gun Etiquette is the third studio album by English punk rock band the Damned. It was released on 2 November 1979 by Chiswick Records. Background. The album was the group's first since reforming with a new lineup of previous members Dave Vanian on vocals, Captain Sensible on lead guitar, Rat Scabies on drums, plus newcomer Algy Ward (of Tank) on bass guitar. On "Machine Gun Etiquette", the band brought more variety to their usual punk rock to add wide-ranging influences from hard rock and heavy metal music to psychedelic rock, a tinge of progressive  rock and even classic rhythm and blues. The album also features more fast-paced punk tracks, and has been cited as a 'proto-hardcore' record crucial for the later rise of hardcore punk into the 1980s. The voice at the album's start is Jack Howarth, taken from his 1971 album "'Ow Do", a recording of Lancastrian monologues. The mispronounced album name would later be used in fusion with Thee Headcoats name as the Japanese band name Thee Michelle Gun Elephant by their former bassist. Reception. AllMusic's retrospective review reported that when it was released, "Machine Gun Etiquette" was  deservedly hailed as another classic from the band. The website praised the variety of styles explored and the group's typically strong wit. Scott Rowley of "Classic Rock" magazine, reviewing the 25th Anniversary Edition of the album, defined it as "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", perhaps ironically given that the front cover depicted the band in a New York street scene at 704 7th Avenue, New York City. Personnel. Credits adapted from the 2004  CD reissue liner notes.