I am currently the bassist with The Machines, a punk rock 'n' roll band initally formed in 1977 by Nick Paul, in the style of The Ramones, Heartbreakers, New York Dolls etc. The band now features founder Nick Paul (NME: "this guitarist is so beautifully crazed even John Lennon himself would be proud to achieve this sound") with myself on bass and backing vocals, and the wonderful powerhouse drumming of Steve Pegrum, driving the songs behind Nick's crazed guitar playing.
Before The Machines reformed in 2006, Nick and I formed and played together in a band called, Raw Power (look us up on WWW.SOUTHENDPUNK.COM) which we named after our favourite Stooges album. We both loved American rock 'n' roll, like the Stooges, New York Dolls, MC5, Lou Reed etc, and these all featured in our Raw Power set, together with many Nick Paul songs. We caused mayhem at every gig we played, and we were highly popular with the local Hell's Angels, but we burnt out a year or so later, frustrated we could not break out of the local Southend R & B scene.
I played in a few local bands, but I was restless and totally fed up playing in bands that were going nowhere, especially after the excitement of Raw Power, so I retired from playing in bands to build a business.
The Machines - With The Machines - Live at The Bridgehouse 2
In 2003, Nick and I got together again. We went straight into the studio to work on some new songs.
In 2005 we met top drummer Steve Pegrum, and we started a tough schedule of studio sessions, resulting in The Machines reforming and playing gigs. We are currently aiming to play as many gigs as possible, including the USA, Europe and Asia. We are also planning to release a further EP, then a full CD. Have a look at our website WWW.THE-MACHINES.COM or click 'The Machines friends link' below to view our myspace site (WWW.MYSPACE.COM/77MACHINES) for all the latest news.
The Machines had a UK top 20 'alternative chart' hit EP in 1978 called "True Life", which is listed in Record Collectors' '100 most collectable punk records'. Various tracks from the EP have featured on many punk albums around the world, and has sold thousands of copies over the years. The Machines are the first two tracks featured on the new Bored Teenagers 4 CD, released July 2006 on the Bin Liner record label (www.detourrecords.com) offering a different version of 'You Better Hear' and our usual show opener 'Racing'.
The Machines - Racing - Live at The Bridgehouse 2
The Machines were voted 'top UK punk band' on a Japanese website.
Noisy Fanzine reviewed our live performance as 'brilliant' and our five track promo EP 'more iggy pop than sex pistols, fast, yet melodic punk illustrate the band's current direction'.
Total Rock Radio featured three new Machines tracks (Girl in Black, Weekend & Sue This Song)on their 'New World Order' show on 30th July 2007, saying on air 'we were pretty bloody fantastic' and emailed us saying the tracks were 'awesome'. We have also had our promo EP featured on radio stations in America, Germany, Italy, Portugal, France, Japan and Thailand, as well as many UK stations.
Bubblegum Slut Fanzine reviewed us as 'classic punk rock, served New York Style'
Street Voice ezine reviewed our promo CD in November 2007, saying, 'I have to say their sound also contains something fresh and vibrant that is missing from many punk bands doing the rounds today. In fact they sound much better than many of the larger punk bands that have reformed. If you love the early punk sound, then check out this band'
Mystery Island USA (www.mysteryisland.net) said 'you guys still have an incredibly honest sound'
London Music Directory said 'we describe their sound as free, strong and independent'
Andy Weeden, Sound Engineer at the Rebellion Festival 2008 said 'I love engineering for high quality acts, and it was a pleasure engineering for you - awesome performance'
To book us, contact us, purchase Machines merchandise, or our classic EP on CD format, write to us at [email protected]. You can also contact us through this, or The Machines myspace site, where you can also hear two tracks from the 1978 hit EP, plus some new songs recorded, with the reformed line up, in 2007.
Click on the 'dont be fooled' video below and 'my videos' to watch us in action, and if you see us on a bill, come and watch some great rock n roll '77 style!!...it'll be an evening to remember and you wont be disappointed!!
Finally, I play a 1974 Fender Jazz bass for gig and studio work, although I have 4 Fender Jazz basses as backup, I use Marshall amps and Rotosound strings. By the way, Tash is the nickname given to me by Nick because of an inability to pronounce moustache correctly!
The Machines - 'Girl in Black' Promo
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