My Sister's Machine
Encyclopedia
My Sister's Machine was a grunge
band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1989. Its members were Nick Pollock
(lead vocals, guitar), Owen Wright
(guitar), Chris Ivanovich
(bass guitar), and Chris Gohde
(drums).
This band recorded and released two albums, Diva
and Wallflower
, before they broke up in 1994. They reunited in 2010 to headline the Layne Staley Tribute and Benefit Concert that year as Pollock had previously played guitar in an early incarnation of Alice in Chains
that also included Staley.
in 1984. They recorded one album called Spin the World
, which was released on CD in 2009 by Heart of Steel records. This band did an extensive amount of touring before they broke up in 1988.
Meanwhile, Nick Pollock
played guitar in a glam metal
band called Alice N' Chains, a precursor to Alice in Chains that also included Layne Staley
on vocals. The band recorded two demos
and toured throughout the Seattle area for roughly one year before they broke up on friendly terms in 1987.
In 1990, My Sister's Machine received the "Best New Band" award from the Northwest Music Association. They continued to garner much interest from the major record labels but ultimately chose to sign with a smaller label Caroline Records
.
to much critical acclaim. Steve Kurutz of Allmusic gave the album four and a half stars, calling it "a surprisingly strong record musically...Though the lyrics are, for the most part, ridiculously poor, they are delivered with enough attitude that the listener will hardly notice unless he reads the album booklet."
Mike Boehm of Los Angeles Times
wrote:
Lonn Friend
(editor of the heavy metal/rock music magazine RIP
) who did a weekly segment called "Friend At Large" on Headbangers Ball
on MTV
, talked about how much he loved Diva. He also wore their shirt for two weeks on the show. The band later thanked Friend for his support in the liner notes of their next album Wallflower
. Over the next year they did a tour with Pantera
and White Zombie
. They toured the United States and Europe. They did in-studio interviews on Headbangers Ball
promoting their video on MTV
for their single, I'm Sorry. They also co-headlined a tour with Pantera
.
In 1993, they moved to Chameleon
a division of Elektra Entertainment and released Wallflower
in 1993. They toured the United States with King's X
.
Just a couple months after releasing the album Elektra Entertainment folded the Chameleon
division dropping all bands that were signed leaving the album and band unpromoted. After a string of bad luck, My Sister's Machine split up in 1994.
and Soulbender
; the latter also features longtime Queensryche
guitarist Michael Wilton
. Meanwhile, Wright has played guitar in a band called Old Lady Litterbug and Gohde has played drums for a band called Hot Rod Lunatics and Call for the Priest, the latter is a Judas Priest
cover band.
Singles
B-sides/Unreleased tracks
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1989. Its members were Nick Pollock
Nick Pollock
Nick Pollock is a Seattle-based guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band My Sister's Machine. He has also played in various bands with other notable musicians, including Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley and Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton...
(lead vocals, guitar), Owen Wright
Owen Wright (musician)
Owen Wright is an American musician best known for playing guitar with the Seattle-based metal bands Mistrust and My Sister's Machine.-Biography:...
(guitar), Chris Ivanovich
Chris Ivanovich
Chris Ivanovich is an American musician whose sole act to date has been playing bass guitar with the Seattle-based grunge/metal band My Sister's Machine, which he co-founded in 1989 along with former members of the bands Mistrust and Alice N' Chains. The band recorded and released two albums, Diva...
(bass guitar), and Chris Gohde
Chris Gohde
Chris Gohde is an American musician best known for playing drums with the Seattle-based metal bands Mistrust and My Sister's Machine.-Biography:...
(drums).
This band recorded and released two albums, Diva
Diva (My Sister's Machine album)
-Tracklist:-Reception:This album currently holds an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars at CDNOW based on 4 Amazon.com customer reviews. -Personnel:My Sister's Machine*Chris Gohde - drums*Chris Ivanovich - bass, artwork...
and Wallflower
Wallflower (album)
Wallflower is the second and final album by rock band My Sister's Machine. The song "Enemy" was included on the compilation album Hard Music, Volume 1 in 1994.-Tracklist:All tracks written by Pollock/Wright, except where noted.-Reception:...
, before they broke up in 1994. They reunited in 2010 to headline the Layne Staley Tribute and Benefit Concert that year as Pollock had previously played guitar in an early incarnation of Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
that also included Staley.
Background (1984-1989)
Before the formation of My Sister's Machine, guitarist Owen Wright and drummer Chris Gohde were involved in a band called MistrustMistrust (band)
Mistrust was a heavy metal band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984. This band primarily consisted of Jeff L'Heureux , Owen Wright , Michael Winston , Tim Wolfe , and Chris Gohde . They recorded one album in their brief existence called Spin the World, which was originally released through C.O.M.A...
in 1984. They recorded one album called Spin the World
Spin the World
Spin the World was the only full-length album released by the American heavy metal band Mistrust. It was originally released in 1986 through C.O.M.A...
, which was released on CD in 2009 by Heart of Steel records. This band did an extensive amount of touring before they broke up in 1988.
Meanwhile, Nick Pollock
Nick Pollock
Nick Pollock is a Seattle-based guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band My Sister's Machine. He has also played in various bands with other notable musicians, including Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley and Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton...
played guitar in a glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
band called Alice N' Chains, a precursor to Alice in Chains that also included Layne Staley
Layne Staley
Layne Thomas Staley was an American musician who served as the lead singer and co-lyricist of the rock group Alice in Chains, which was formed in Seattle, Washington in 1987 by Staley and guitarist Jerry Cantrell. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the...
on vocals. The band recorded two demos
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
and toured throughout the Seattle area for roughly one year before they broke up on friendly terms in 1987.
Formation (1989-1991)
After the demise of their previous bands, Pollock joined Wright and Gohde to form My Sister's Machine along with bassist Chris Ivanovich. Since none of the other members had ever been a lead singer, Pollock got the job by default as he was also their primary lyricist.In 1990, My Sister's Machine received the "Best New Band" award from the Northwest Music Association. They continued to garner much interest from the major record labels but ultimately chose to sign with a smaller label Caroline Records
Caroline Records
Caroline Records started out as a subsidiary of Richard Branson's Virgin Records label during the early to mid 1970s. The label originally specialized in putting out budget price LPs by mainly progressive rock and jazz artists generally not considered to have a great deal of 'mainstream' or...
.
Diva and Wallflower (1992-1994)
In 1992, they released their debut album, DivaDiva (My Sister's Machine album)
-Tracklist:-Reception:This album currently holds an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars at CDNOW based on 4 Amazon.com customer reviews. -Personnel:My Sister's Machine*Chris Gohde - drums*Chris Ivanovich - bass, artwork...
to much critical acclaim. Steve Kurutz of Allmusic gave the album four and a half stars, calling it "a surprisingly strong record musically...Though the lyrics are, for the most part, ridiculously poor, they are delivered with enough attitude that the listener will hardly notice unless he reads the album booklet."
Mike Boehm of Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
wrote:
"'Diva' moves at a more rapid gait than either Alice in ChainsAlice in ChainsAlice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
or SoundgardenSoundgardenSoundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
, and it dispenses with the leaden grunge that characterized the Seattle sound until a year or so ago (recent efforts out of the city, including, 'Diva,' tend to be far more melodic and better written). It's in lyrical outlook that MSM differs most from its Seattle hard-rock kin. Typically, the Seattle bands are a markedly angry, doom-laden bunch, sticking to the dark side and giving shape to feelings that come with being part of a generation that faces the likelihood of being materially worse off than its parents."
Lonn Friend
Lonn Friend
Lonn Friend is an American journalist and author. Friend is best known for his work in the late 1980s and '90s as editor of RIP Magazine, which covered the debaucherous world of heavy metal music and the rock stars who led the movement...
(editor of the heavy metal/rock music magazine RIP
RIP magazine
RIP debuted its first issue on December 1986. It was a 1980's/early 1990s Music magazine commonly seen in newsstands and purchased by mostly teenage readers. It was created by Larry Flynt Publications, effectively making it a sister publication of Hustler magazine. Lonn P Friend was editor...
) who did a weekly segment called "Friend At Large" on Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball is a music television program consisting of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV2, MTV Australia, MTV Two , MTV Adria , MTV Brand New, MTV Portugal, MTV Finland, MTV Arabia, MTV Norway, MTV Sweden, MTV Denmark, MTV Greece, MTV Türkiye, MTV...
on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, talked about how much he loved Diva. He also wore their shirt for two weeks on the show. The band later thanked Friend for his support in the liner notes of their next album Wallflower
Wallflower (album)
Wallflower is the second and final album by rock band My Sister's Machine. The song "Enemy" was included on the compilation album Hard Music, Volume 1 in 1994.-Tracklist:All tracks written by Pollock/Wright, except where noted.-Reception:...
. Over the next year they did a tour with Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
and White Zombie
White Zombie
White Zombie was a Grammy Award-nominated American heavy metal band. Based in New York City, White Zombie was originally a noise rock band. White Zombie are better-known for their later heavy metal-oriented sound...
. They toured the United States and Europe. They did in-studio interviews on Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball is a music television program consisting of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV2, MTV Australia, MTV Two , MTV Adria , MTV Brand New, MTV Portugal, MTV Finland, MTV Arabia, MTV Norway, MTV Sweden, MTV Denmark, MTV Greece, MTV Türkiye, MTV...
promoting their video on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
for their single, I'm Sorry. They also co-headlined a tour with Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
.
In 1993, they moved to Chameleon
Chameleon (label)
Chameleon was a record label formed by industry veterans Andy Frances and Steve Powers, and was funded by Dan Protzker.Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz was an employee and Chameleon had distributed some early Epitaph releases, such as L7's self-titled debut.In the first years of the label's...
a division of Elektra Entertainment and released Wallflower
Wallflower (album)
Wallflower is the second and final album by rock band My Sister's Machine. The song "Enemy" was included on the compilation album Hard Music, Volume 1 in 1994.-Tracklist:All tracks written by Pollock/Wright, except where noted.-Reception:...
in 1993. They toured the United States with King's X
King's X
King's X is an American hard rock band that combines progressive metal, funk and soul with vocal arrangements influenced by gospel, blues, and British Invasion rock groups. The band's lyrics are largely based on the members' struggles with religion and self-acceptance...
.
Just a couple months after releasing the album Elektra Entertainment folded the Chameleon
Chameleon (label)
Chameleon was a record label formed by industry veterans Andy Frances and Steve Powers, and was funded by Dan Protzker.Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz was an employee and Chameleon had distributed some early Epitaph releases, such as L7's self-titled debut.In the first years of the label's...
division dropping all bands that were signed leaving the album and band unpromoted. After a string of bad luck, My Sister's Machine split up in 1994.
Post-break-up (1994-present)
Since the break-up of My Sister's Machine, Nick Pollock has fronted the bands Tanks of ZenTanks of Zen
Tanks of Zen is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, led by singer-guitarist Nick Pollock, who has previously fronted the bands My Sister's Machine and Soulbender...
and Soulbender
Soulbender
Soulbender is a heavy metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, by musicians hailing from both Seattle and Vancouver, including Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton and My Sister's Machine vocalist Nick Pollock. Other founding members were guitarist Dave Groves and drummer Wes Hallam, both of whom...
; the latter also features longtime Queensryche
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....
guitarist Michael Wilton
Michael Wilton
Michael Wilton is an American guitarist for the progressive metal band Queensrÿche. Wilton attended Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle where he met future Queensrÿche drummer Scott Rockenfield and began recording in 1981...
. Meanwhile, Wright has played guitar in a band called Old Lady Litterbug and Gohde has played drums for a band called Hot Rod Lunatics and Call for the Priest, the latter is a Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
cover band.
Reunion (2010-present)
On June 4, 2010, the Layne Staley Fund announced that My Sister's Machine will be reuniting for the Layne Staley Tribute, held on August 21 of that year. My Sister's Machine has continued to play shows into 2011.Members
- Nick PollockNick PollockNick Pollock is a Seattle-based guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band My Sister's Machine. He has also played in various bands with other notable musicians, including Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley and Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton...
- lead vocals, rhythm guitar - Owen WrightOwen Wright (musician)Owen Wright is an American musician best known for playing guitar with the Seattle-based metal bands Mistrust and My Sister's Machine.-Biography:...
- lead guitar, backing vocals - Chris IvanovichChris IvanovichChris Ivanovich is an American musician whose sole act to date has been playing bass guitar with the Seattle-based grunge/metal band My Sister's Machine, which he co-founded in 1989 along with former members of the bands Mistrust and Alice N' Chains. The band recorded and released two albums, Diva...
- bass, backing vocals - Chris GohdeChris GohdeChris Gohde is an American musician best known for playing drums with the Seattle-based metal bands Mistrust and My Sister's Machine.-Biography:...
- drums
Discography
Albums| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1992 1992 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s.... |
Diva Diva (My Sister's Machine album) -Tracklist:-Reception:This album currently holds an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars at CDNOW based on 4 Amazon.com customer reviews. -Personnel:My Sister's Machine*Chris Gohde - drums*Chris Ivanovich - bass, artwork...
|
| 1993 1993 in music This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992.... |
Wallflower Wallflower (album) Wallflower is the second and final album by rock band My Sister's Machine. The song "Enemy" was included on the compilation album Hard Music, Volume 1 in 1994.-Tracklist:All tracks written by Pollock/Wright, except where noted.-Reception:... Chameleon (label) Chameleon was a record label formed by industry veterans Andy Frances and Steve Powers, and was funded by Dan Protzker.Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz was an employee and Chameleon had distributed some early Epitaph releases, such as L7's self-titled debut.In the first years of the label's... |
Singles
- "I'm Sorry"
- "I Hate You"
- "Enemy"
B-sides/Unreleased tracks
- "Bring You Down" (B-side of "Enemy")
- "Green Eyed Lady"