There are a lot of rock bands out there, but every once in a while you come across one that has an uncanny ability to blow you away. They pick you up and do not let you go until they have made their point. Many bands have the show, fewer have the music, but it is indeed rare to come across a group that has the ability to integrate both – to awe you and make you forget about everything else. Victoria, B.C. based, melodic rock band Machina does just that.Coming together in early 2004, it was clear that Machina was heading places. Their first show was with 604-signed, seminal Victoria rockers The Armchair Cynics. After that, they quickly got dates with Vancouver favourites retrograde and Sweetheart, as well as continued to play with acts like Victoria's Warner recording artists Maurice and Calgary's Load Music recording artists The Dudes.After a successful tour in summer 2005 (capped by a festival appearance with Chilliwack ), Machina released their first LP in the fall. Entitled Rented Smile, the album sold well at the frequent shows Machina played, and produced the single "Shadows of Heaven," a heavy waltz that fervent fans were soon singing along to. Summer 2006 brought another successful tour that culminated in a festival opening for Matthew Good. Riding this high, Machina threw themselves back into the recording studio where they took on the ambitious project of recording a 4-song EP with producer/engineer Adam Sutherland of Infinity Studios and The Armchair Cynics. Entitled unreleased 01, as it would be the first to come in a series of 3, the record yielded the explosively catchy single "Act One (Stage Left)." The song hit quickly, securing the much sought after "Band of the Month," a contest put on by Victoria's local modern rock radio station CJZN The
[email protected]. "Act One" would also put Machina into elite company when it got them into the coveted top 20 finalists of SEEDS, a massive "battle of the bands" put on by Vancouver rock radio station CFOX The
[email protected]; a contest that has helped launched the careers of world renowned Nickelback and Canadian favourites The Matthew Good Band. Not resting there, "Act One" would also get Machina into the world-wide event "Bodog Music's Battle of the Bands," where, after an electrifying set, they moved onto the second round.Machina has come a long way in the short time they have been together, establishing themselves as an explosive act both on-stage and in your headphones, garnering praise every step of the way. Their sound has evolved and matured since their inception, and they have come to be well known as professional and helpful, often giving up-and-coming bands their first set. As Machina heads into the studio to record unreleased 02, people are forced to wait a little longer to hear what comes next. The only thing that they can be sure of is that it will not disappoint.
