1979 started a new chapter in the history of the Damned. The release of the single 'Love Song' in April proved that they were back and better than ever! After disbanding in early 1978 it took them almost a year to wise up, put their differences aside and have a go at making music together. One difference though: Brian James wasn't in the picture this time around.
A wise move was made in moving Captain Sensible to guitar and enlisting the help of former Saint's bassist Algy Ward. Could Vanian, Scabies and Sensible succeed minus their chief songwriter? The answer was a resounding YES! The result being the album 'Machine Gun Etiquette. Released in November 1979, this record gave a middle finger response to all critics who had dismissed the group as a cartoonish cabaret act.
This is so much more than a punk' album, with hints at psychedelia and even progressive rock. This is the Damned in top form, and they continued to be through two more albums, up until the unlikely departure of Captain Sensible. An album this great only comes along once in a great while.
1 Love Song 2:21
2 Machine Gun Etiquette 1:49
3 I Just Can't Be Happy Today 3:43
4 Melody Lee 2:07
5 Anti-Pope 3:20
6 These Hands 2:02
7 Plan 9 Channel 7 5:08
8 Noise, Noise, Noise 3:11
9 Looking At You 5:07
10 Liar 2:44
11 Smash It Up (Parts 1 & 2) 5:13
Bonus Tracks on Expanded CD
12 Love Song (Ed Hollis Version) 2:03
13 Noise, Noise, Noise (Ed Hollis Version) 3:25
14 Suicide 3:17
15 Smash It Up (Part 2) (Backing Track - Singalonga Damned) 2:56
16 Smash It Up (Part 4) 1:57
17 Burglar 3:33
18 I Just Can't Be Happy Today (DJ Edit) 3:00
19 Ballroom Blitz 3:28
20 Turkey Song 1:32
Video Plan 9, Channel 7
