Artist
The Damned
Crate Digger's Guide
- Studio Medium:
- The Damned primarily used analog multi-track magnetic tape during their peak recording era in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- Pressing Plants:
- Core records were primarily pressed at Pye Records and later at Nimbus Records.
- Lacquer Cut:
- Their music features dynamic frequency ranges with aggressive highs and deep lows, which can impact inner-groove tracking, especially in high-energy tracks.
- Matrix Runout:
- Collectors look for matrix codes such as 'DAM 1 A1' or 'DAM 1 B1' for authentic first pressings.
Vinyl Collector Intelligence
- Grail Pressing:
- Dating back to 1977, the original Stiff Records pressing stands as the definitive vinyl grail for The Damned collectors.
- Best Reissue:
- For an accessible alternative, the 2018 BGO Records 180g remaster of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' delivers exceptional pressing precision.
- Mastering & Translation:
- The dense multitrack vocal harmonies and electronic sub-bass frequencies characteristic of The Damned's production demand a stable microlinear stylus to prevent high-frequency sibilance.
- Shelf Alternatives:
- Crate companions that natively share this specific vinyl profile include Gary Numan (Beggars Banquet) and Kraftwerk (Kraftwerk).
