The Secret Machines
Encyclopedia
The Secret Machines are a three-piece
American
alternative rock
band. Originally from Dallas, Texas
before moving to New York City
, they describe their band as space rock
. The original lineup consisted of two brothers, Brandon
and Benjamin Curtis
, and Josh Garza
. In March 2007, Benjamin left the band, and was replaced by Phil Karnats.
, Captain Audio, Comet
and When Babies Eat Pennies, but perhaps the most significant was Tripping Daisy
. Captain Audio was formed by Garza and vocalist/guitarist/chief songwriter Regina Chellew in the late 90s as a two-piece noise duo. Brandon — and occasionally Ben — Curtis joined shortly thereafter as the original duo began to head toward a more standard rock sound. In a few months the band was getting regular local press and within a little over a year they had recorded and released the EP My Ears Are Ringing But My Heart's OK (1999) and the full-length LUXURY or Whether It Is Better To Be Loved than Feared (2000) to positive reviews. Shortly after the release of LUXURY the band went on an extended hiatus and eventually disbanded when the boys headed for New York, leaving Chellew behind in Dallas to form the band Chao and later joining indie pop outfit The Happy Bullets
.
Captain Audio is essentially the same band as the Secret Machines, with the exception of Chellew. Sonically the groups are very similar, much more so than any of the members' other former bands. Although Captain Audio is a bit more prone to experimentation and sound collage and the Secret Machines are much more a standard indie rock
band, the Captain Audio records form the template that the Curtis brothers built upon when they headed for New York. In the liner notes for Captain Audio's LUXURY, all of the additional musicians who played on the album are credited simply as "Secret Machines".
first, where they recorded their EP, September 000, six weeks after forming, before continuing to New York. The EP didn't sell well, but remained a hit on indie radio while "Marconi's Radio" and "Breathe" are fan favourites.
In 2004, The Secret Machines released their first full length CD - Now Here Is Nowhere
. Their second EP, The Road Leads Where It's Led, was released on 7 June 2005.
The song "Nowhere Again", from the their debut album, was used in promotional spots for American during its launch, and appeared in the 2006 videogame Driver: Parallel Lines
.
"Nowhere Again" is the band's biggest hit to date, being played at nearly every show since its conception.
, their second album, leaked onto file sharing websites following the release of their lead single "Alone, Jealous and Stoned" in the UK
.
The album once again did not sell well but garnered favorable reviews.
In 2006, the band did a headlining In-the-Round tour.
Benjamin Curtis left the band on March 3, 2007 to focus full time on his new band, School of Seven Bells
. The news was posted by Brandon Curtis on the Secret Machines' messageboard.
's touring keyboardist) on guitar, keyboards, and bass, and ex-Tripping Daisy
member Phil E. Karnats on guitar. Since these shows, Karnats has become the official guitarist of the band, replacing Ben.
The band finished recording quickly during May 2007 and released a new, self-titled album
in the United States of America on October 14, 2008. The online release notice features a free download of a non-album B-side titled "Dreaming of Dreaming." Phil E. Karnats announced on his MySpace
blog
that he recorded guitar parts for the album and will continue to play live with the band. The album has received a perfect 5-star review on venuszine.com.
psychedelia, Led Zeppelin
stomp, and The Who
-inspired choruses and charge them full of big-rock beats, atmospheric keyboards and all kinds of electronic whooshes." — Rolling Stone
, which highlights the music of the Beatles
, set to the story of a handful of characters living out the songs. They perform "I Am the Walrus" with Bono
singing; an instrumental, "Flying" and "Blue Jay Way
" in their notable style.
Power trio
A power trio is a rock and roll band format where the traditional power trio has a lineup of guitar, bass and drums, leaving out the rhythm guitar or keyboard that are used in other rock music to fill out the sound with chords...
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band. Originally from Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
before moving to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, they describe their band as space rock
Space rock
Space rock is a subgenre of rock music; the term originally referred to a group of early, mostly British, 1970s progressive and psychedelic rock bands such as Hawkwind and Pink Floyd, characterised by slow, lengthy instrumental passages dominated by electric organs, synthesizers, experimental...
. The original lineup consisted of two brothers, Brandon
Brandon Curtis
Brandon Curtis is the vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the rock band The Secret Machines. Originally from Norman, Oklahoma, he was friends with Tim, Mark, and Brian of Tripping Daisy, as well as members of The Flaming Lips and The Chainsaw Kittens. Brandon and his brother Benjamin moved to...
and Benjamin Curtis
Benjamin Curtis (musician)
Benjamin Curtis is an American guitarist. He is a member of School of Seven Bells, in which he sings and plays instruments in addition to guitar. Benjamin was the guitarist and backing vocalist for the rock band The Secret Machines until March 2007, when, according to the band's website, he left to...
, and Josh Garza
Josh Garza
Josh Garza is the drummer for the New York based rock band The Secret Machines. Originally from the Dallas, Texas area, Garza formed the band with brothers Ben and Brandon Curtis....
. In March 2007, Benjamin left the band, and was replaced by Phil Karnats.
Early years
Before forming The Secret Machines the members played in various Dallas bands such as: UFOFUUFOFU
UFOFU was a rock band based in Dallas, Texas. The band consisted of Joseph Butcher, and brothers Brandon Curtis and Ben Curtis. It rose to local prominence in the mid-90's through word of mouth and slots opening for other north Texas bands such as Hagfish and Tripping Daisy...
, Captain Audio, Comet
Comet
A comet is an icy small Solar System body that, when close enough to the Sun, displays a visible coma and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena are both due to the effects of solar radiation and the solar wind upon the nucleus of the comet...
and When Babies Eat Pennies, but perhaps the most significant was Tripping Daisy
Tripping Daisy
Tripping Daisy was a neo psychedelic pop rock band that was formed in Dallas, Texas, USA by lead singer/guitarist Tim DeLaughter in 1990 along with Jeff Bouck , Wes Berggren and Mark Pirro .-History:...
. Captain Audio was formed by Garza and vocalist/guitarist/chief songwriter Regina Chellew in the late 90s as a two-piece noise duo. Brandon — and occasionally Ben — Curtis joined shortly thereafter as the original duo began to head toward a more standard rock sound. In a few months the band was getting regular local press and within a little over a year they had recorded and released the EP My Ears Are Ringing But My Heart's OK (1999) and the full-length LUXURY or Whether It Is Better To Be Loved than Feared (2000) to positive reviews. Shortly after the release of LUXURY the band went on an extended hiatus and eventually disbanded when the boys headed for New York, leaving Chellew behind in Dallas to form the band Chao and later joining indie pop outfit The Happy Bullets
The Happy Bullets
The Happy Bullets is an indie pop band from Dallas, Texas that formed in 2003.Recording songs that combined a 1960's psychedelic nostalgia with ironic and literate lyrics, The Happy Bullets began when indie songwriters Jason Roberts and Tim Ruble met while working together at an art gallery in a...
.
Captain Audio is essentially the same band as the Secret Machines, with the exception of Chellew. Sonically the groups are very similar, much more so than any of the members' other former bands. Although Captain Audio is a bit more prone to experimentation and sound collage and the Secret Machines are much more a standard indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band, the Captain Audio records form the template that the Curtis brothers built upon when they headed for New York. In the liner notes for Captain Audio's LUXURY, all of the additional musicians who played on the album are credited simply as "Secret Machines".
September 000 and Now Here Is Nowhere
The band went to ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
first, where they recorded their EP, September 000, six weeks after forming, before continuing to New York. The EP didn't sell well, but remained a hit on indie radio while "Marconi's Radio" and "Breathe" are fan favourites.
In 2004, The Secret Machines released their first full length CD - Now Here Is Nowhere
Now Here Is Nowhere
Now Here is Nowhere is the first full-length album by Dallas rock band The Secret Machines. It was released on May 18, 2004. The songs on the album are reminiscent of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, with krautrock and shoegazing influences.-Track listing:...
. Their second EP, The Road Leads Where It's Led, was released on 7 June 2005.
The song "Nowhere Again", from the their debut album, was used in promotional spots for American during its launch, and appeared in the 2006 videogame Driver: Parallel Lines
Driver: Parallel Lines
Driver: Parallel Lines is the fourth video game in the Driver series. The game was released on March 2006 on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox by Atari, Wii and Microsoft Windows on June 2007 by Ubisoft.-Overview:...
.
"Nowhere Again" is the band's biggest hit to date, being played at nearly every show since its conception.
Ten Silver Drops and Ben's departure
Ten Silver DropsTen Silver Drops
Ten Silver Drops is the name of the second full-length album by the American rock band The Secret Machines. It was released exclusively through the iTunes Music Store on February 28, 2006, while the street date for the CD was April 25, 2006. The first single from the album, "Alone, Jealous and...
, their second album, leaked onto file sharing websites following the release of their lead single "Alone, Jealous and Stoned" in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
The album once again did not sell well but garnered favorable reviews.
In 2006, the band did a headlining In-the-Round tour.
Benjamin Curtis left the band on March 3, 2007 to focus full time on his new band, School of Seven Bells
School of Seven Bells
School of Seven Bells is a band formed by Benjamin Curtis of Secret Machines, together with identical twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, formerly of On!Air!Library!. The band is named after the School of the Seven Bells, a mythical South American pickpocket training academy.-History:Curtis and...
. The news was posted by Brandon Curtis on the Secret Machines' messageboard.
Third album
After Ben's departure from the band, Secret Machines played two shows in New York, one at the Annex, and the other at the newly opened Highline Ballroom. At these shows, the band played mostly new material to be put on their next album. They included two new members: Blasco (InterpolInterpol (band)
Interpol is an American indie rock and post-punk revival band from New York City. Formed in 1997, the band's original line-up consisted of Paul Banks , Daniel Kessler , Carlos Dengler and Greg Drudy . Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogarino...
's touring keyboardist) on guitar, keyboards, and bass, and ex-Tripping Daisy
Tripping Daisy
Tripping Daisy was a neo psychedelic pop rock band that was formed in Dallas, Texas, USA by lead singer/guitarist Tim DeLaughter in 1990 along with Jeff Bouck , Wes Berggren and Mark Pirro .-History:...
member Phil E. Karnats on guitar. Since these shows, Karnats has become the official guitarist of the band, replacing Ben.
The band finished recording quickly during May 2007 and released a new, self-titled album
Secret Machines (album)
Secret Machines is the eponymous third album from alternative group The Secret Machines. The band self-released the follow-up to 2006's Ten Silver Drops in the US on October 14 and is slated for release in Europe for Mid-January 2009. The album was recorded in New York City and produced by the band...
in the United States of America on October 14, 2008. The online release notice features a free download of a non-album B-side titled "Dreaming of Dreaming." Phil E. Karnats announced on his MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
that he recorded guitar parts for the album and will continue to play live with the band. The album has received a perfect 5-star review on venuszine.com.
Style
"They take Pink FloydPink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
psychedelia, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
stomp, and The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
-inspired choruses and charge them full of big-rock beats, atmospheric keyboards and all kinds of electronic whooshes." — Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
Members
- Brandon Curtis: vocals, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, keyboardMusical keyboardA musical keyboard is the set of adjacent depressible levers or keys on a musical instrument, particularly the piano. Keyboards typically contain keys for playing the twelve notes of the Western musical scale, with a combination of larger, longer keys and smaller, shorter keys that repeats at the... - Josh Garza: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Phil Karnats: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(2007–present)
Former members
- Benjamin Curtis: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals (2000–2007) - Frederick Blasco: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboardMusical keyboardA musical keyboard is the set of adjacent depressible levers or keys on a musical instrument, particularly the piano. Keyboards typically contain keys for playing the twelve notes of the Western musical scale, with a combination of larger, longer keys and smaller, shorter keys that repeats at the...
, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(two shows in 2007)
Albums
- Now Here Is NowhereNow Here Is NowhereNow Here is Nowhere is the first full-length album by Dallas rock band The Secret Machines. It was released on May 18, 2004. The songs on the album are reminiscent of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, with krautrock and shoegazing influences.-Track listing:...
(May 18, 2004) RepriseReprise RecordsReprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:... - Ten Silver DropsTen Silver DropsTen Silver Drops is the name of the second full-length album by the American rock band The Secret Machines. It was released exclusively through the iTunes Music Store on February 28, 2006, while the street date for the CD was April 25, 2006. The first single from the album, "Alone, Jealous and...
(April 25, 2006) RepriseReprise RecordsReprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
#43 UK, #159 US - Secret MachinesSecret Machines (album)Secret Machines is the eponymous third album from alternative group The Secret Machines. The band self-released the follow-up to 2006's Ten Silver Drops in the US on October 14 and is slated for release in Europe for Mid-January 2009. The album was recorded in New York City and produced by the band...
(October 14, 2008) World's Fair Label Group (defunct) & TSM Recordings U.S. #12 Heatseekers
EPs
- September 000September 000September 000 is the debut EP by American rock band The Secret Machines.-Track listing:#"Marconi's Radio" – 7:42#"What Used to Be French" – 6:30#"Breathe" – 2:43#"Still See You" – 2:49#"It's a Bad Wind That Don't Blow Somebody Some Good" – 5:56...
(2002) - The Road Leads Where It's LedThe Road Leads Where It's LedThe Road Leads Where It's Led is The Secret Machines' second EP, released in 2005. In addition to the title-track, a single from their debut album Now Here Is Nowhere, the EP features several covers and a new song called "Better Bring Your Friends."-Track listing:#"The Road Leads Where...
(2005) - Live At Austin City Limits Music Festival 2006 (iTunes Exclusive EP) (2006)
- Morning Becomes Eclectic (Live At KCRW)Morning Becomes Eclectic (Live at KCRW)The Secret Machines recorded 6 songs, which were broadcast live in Los Angeles on 89.9 KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic with Nic Harcourt on 5/3/06.-Track listing:#"Alone, Jealous and Stoned"#"The Road Leads Where It's Led"#"Lightning Blue Eyes"#"Faded Lines"...
(2006)
Singles
- "What Used To Be French (Revisit)" (7" Vinyl only) (2003) UK
- "Nowhere Again" (2004) UK #49
- "Sad And Lonely" (2004) UK #38
- "The Road Leads Where It's Led" (2005) UK #56
- "Alone, Jealous & Stoned" (12" Vinyl only) (2006) #93
- "Lightning Blue Eyes" (2006) UK #57
- "All At Once (It's Not Important)" (2006) UK #76
- "Dreaming of Dreaming" (2008)
- "Like I Can" (2010)
DVD
- Marfa Mystery Lights – The Secret Machines – A Concert for the UFO's (A performance conceived and filmed by Charles de Meaux) (2007), Les presses du réel
Soundtracks
The Secret Machines have three tracks on the soundtrack for the 2007 film Across the UniverseAcross the Universe (film)
Across the Universe is a musical romantic drama film directed by Julie Taymor, produced by Revolution Studios, and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film's plot is centered around songs by The Beatles. It was released in the United States on October 12, 2007. The script is based on an original...
, which highlights the music of the Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, set to the story of a handful of characters living out the songs. They perform "I Am the Walrus" with Bono
Bono
Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
singing; an instrumental, "Flying" and "Blue Jay Way
Blue Jay Way
"Blue Jay Way" is a song written by George Harrison; it was first recorded and released by The Beatles on their Magical Mystery Tour album and EP in 1967.-Origins:...
" in their notable style.
External links
- The Secret Machines
- The Secret Machines social network
- Official The Secret Machines MySpace Page
- The Secret Machines - Self Titled Review
- Secret Machines @ Webster Hall, NYC: 10-18-08 (PopWreckoning live show review)