Damn the Machine
Encyclopedia
Damn the Machine was a short-lived progressive metal
band founded by ex-Megadeth
guitarist Chris Poland
.
, in 1990. Three years later, he resurfaced with the group Damn the Machine (DTM), which included his brother Mark on drums, David Clemmons on vocals/guitar, and David Randi on bass. While the group were indeed heavy, their sound was slightly more progressive than Poland's previous band and solo work, perhaps more comparable to the likes of Queensrÿche
or Fates Warning
, though with a jazzier twist and more politically charged lyrics.
The band signed a deal with A&M Records
in 1993, and their self-titled debut album was released the same year. The album was recorded and produced by Brian Malouf (known for his work with, among others, Pearl Jam
, Queen
, Extreme
, Madonna
, Michael Jackson
, Lisa Loeb
and Jean-Luc Ponty
). The band toured with Dream Theater
in Europe, and toured in North America with Voivod
, Flotsam & Jetsam, and Excel
. The band also shot a music video for "The Mission" from their debut album. DTM also released a promotional CD-5 titled Silence, which featured covers of "I'd Love to Change the World" by Ten Years After
, and King Crimson
's "Cat Food".
Dave Clemmons later resurfaced with a band named Jud (and later formed The Fullbliss and released several solo albums), while Chris Poland went on to form the jazz-fusion trio Ohm
, with whom he's released one live and two studio albums. Mark Poland has a musical project of his own, and Dave Randi now works for Rentrak Corp.
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band founded by ex-Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
guitarist Chris Poland
Chris Poland
Chris Poland is an American guitarist, best known for being a former member of heavy metal band Megadeth.-Early career:...
.
History
After leaving Megadeth in 1987, guitarist Chris Poland recorded a solo album, Return to MetalopolisReturn to Metalopolis
Return to Metalopolis is the debut studio album by former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, released in 1990 through Enigma Records; a remastered edition containing two bonus tracks was reissued through Lion Music in 2002.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
, in 1990. Three years later, he resurfaced with the group Damn the Machine (DTM), which included his brother Mark on drums, David Clemmons on vocals/guitar, and David Randi on bass. While the group were indeed heavy, their sound was slightly more progressive than Poland's previous band and solo work, perhaps more comparable to the likes of Queensrÿche
Queensrÿche
thumb|250px|right|Queensrÿche's classic line-up performing at the [[Sauna Open Air Metal Festival]] 2011 in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]. Left to right: bass Eddie Jackson, lead vocals Geoff Tate, drums Scott Rockenfield and guitars Michael Wilton....
or Fates Warning
Fates Warning
Fates Warning is an American progressive metal band, formed in 1982 by vocalist John Arch, guitarists Jim Matheos and Victor Arduini, bassist Joe DiBiase, and drummer Steve Zimmerman in Hartford, Connecticut. Fates Warning has experienced numerous line-up changes...
, though with a jazzier twist and more politically charged lyrics.
The band signed a deal with A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
in 1993, and their self-titled debut album was released the same year. The album was recorded and produced by Brian Malouf (known for his work with, among others, Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
, Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
, Extreme
Extreme (band)
Extreme is an American rock band, headed by frontmen Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt, that reached the height of their popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Among some of Extreme's musical influences are Queen and Van Halen...
, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, Lisa Loeb
Lisa Loeb
Lisa Anne Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She launched her career in 1994 with the song, "Stay ". She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract.Loeb's efforts now include music, film, television, voice-over...
and Jean-Luc Ponty
Jean-Luc Ponty
Jean-Luc Ponty is a French virtuoso violinist and jazz composer.- Early years:Ponty was born into a family of classical musicians on 29 September 1942 in Avranches, France. His father taught violin, his mother taught piano...
). The band toured with Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
in Europe, and toured in North America with Voivod
Voivod (band)
Voivod are a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s...
, Flotsam & Jetsam, and Excel
Excel (band)
Excel was a punk/metal fusion band from Venice, California founded in 1983 by singer Dan Clements and guitarist Adam Siegel. They were influenced by famous 70's punk rock musicians like The Police and The Sex Pistols, and heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath, Trouble, Slayer, Corrosion of...
. The band also shot a music video for "The Mission" from their debut album. DTM also released a promotional CD-5 titled Silence, which featured covers of "I'd Love to Change the World" by Ten Years After
Ten Years After
Ten Years After is an English blues-rock band, most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Between 1968 and 1973, Ten Years After scored eight Top 40 albums on the UK Albums Chart...
, and King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
's "Cat Food".
Aftermath
DTM was not widely embraced by the alternative-minded consumer, and receiving less and less support from A&M, their recording contract was canceled, which led to the band's premature demise soon thereafter. Dave Clemmons departed the group, and with a new singer the remaining members reformed as Mumbo's Brain (the latter of which can be heard on Chris Poland's solo release - Rare Trax from 2000).Dave Clemmons later resurfaced with a band named Jud (and later formed The Fullbliss and released several solo albums), while Chris Poland went on to form the jazz-fusion trio Ohm
Ohm (band)
Ohm: is a project formed by Chris Poland and Robertino Pagliari. The band was formed in 2002 and has released 3 LPs and a live album up to date.-Members:* Chris Poland - Guitar* Robertino Pagliari - Bass...
, with whom he's released one live and two studio albums. Mark Poland has a musical project of his own, and Dave Randi now works for Rentrak Corp.
Discography
- Damn the Machine (album, 1993)
- Silence (promo single, 1993)
- Lonesome God (promo single, 1993)
- The Mission (promo single, 1993)