Tin Machine
Encyclopedia
Tin Machine was a hard rock
band
formed in 1988, famous for being fronted by singer David Bowie
. The group recorded two studio albums before dissolving in 1992, when Bowie returned to his solo career. Drummer Hunt Sales said that the group's name "reflects the sound of the band," and Bowie stated that he and his bandmates joined up "to make the kind of music that we enjoyed listening to."
album and subsequent Glass Spider Tour
had left critics unimpressed, and Bowie was aware of his low standing. Eager to return to making music for himself rather than the mainstream audience he had acquired following the Let's Dance album, Bowie began collaborating with Reeves Gabrels
(who pushed the singer to rediscover his experimental side) and multi-instrumentalist Erdal Kizilcay
on new material in 1988 (although Erdal Kizilcay would ultimately not join the band). Bowie and Reeves met through Reeves' wife, who was part of the press staff for the North American leg of Bowie's 1987 Glass Spider world tour. Reeves' wife had given Bowie a tape of Reeves' guitar playing, and after listening to the tape, Bowie approached Reeves so they could work together. The first fruits of this came with a new version of Bowie’s 1979 song "Look Back in Anger
", performed at the Intruders At The Palace benefit concert
on 1 July 1988. Bowie, who had run into Tony Sales in Los Angeles at a wrap party for his Glass Spider Tour, convinced Tony to call his brother Hunt so they could work together. Tony recalled that Bowie was "thinking about getting a band together - something together. He didn't know exactly what he wanted to do, but he wanted Hunt and I to meet Reeves and maybe we could all write together, come up with something."
Bowie himself was surprised with how things came together with the band, stating:
The band split profits four ways, no one was on a salary and each member paid for their own expenses. Bowie also clarified that "the band will cease to exist the moment it ceases to be a musical experience for any of us. None of us wanted to get into the kind of situation where you find yourself making albums because you're contracted to."
The Sales brothers moved the tone of the sessions away from art-rock and more towards hard rock, and Bowie looked to one of his favorite bands at the time, The Pixies, for inspiration. The Sales brothers heckled Bowie into greater spontaneity, with most songs recorded in one take, and lyrics left unpolished, thus giving the band a ragged, punk rock edge similar to the Pixies.
The band claimed their musical influences were Gene Krupa
, Charlie Mingus, Jimi Hendrix
, Glenn Branca
and Mountain
. Reeves described the roots of their sound as coming from bands like Cream
, Hendrix and the Jeff Beck Group: "No lifts of licks. Those are just our roots."
The group chose the name Tin Machine after one of the songs they had written. Reeves Gabrels elaborated on the name choice:
The group set up allowed Bowie a certain level of anonymity, and to that end Bowie stipulated that all four members divide interviews equally between them and that in the cases where he was interviewed, that another member of the band be present as well. He made a point to clarify that he didn't invite the others to join "his" band, rather, "the band literally came together." Also according to Bowie, the group decided when they formed that they'd play from album to album, and that "if we were still getting on with each other - which was the priority - that we'd continue."
was recorded in late 1988 and early 1989. It produced mixed but generally positive reviews upon release in May 1989, picking up favourable comparisons with Bowie’s two more recent solo albums. Commercially, the album initially sold well, reaching #3 in the UK Albums Chart
, but sales quickly tailed off. Gabrels claimed in 1991 that album sales from the first album were "ten times better" than he had anticipated. The band undertook a low-key tour
in small venues between 14 June and 3 July 1989, before further recording sessions in Sydney, Australia. During these sessions Tin Machine contributed to a surfing compilation album
, Beyond the Beach, with a new instrumental song titled "Needles on the Beach".
. Hunt Sales said that EMI "kind of freaked out a little bit at the strident, single-less Tin Machine debut", which partially explained why Bowie switched music labels. In March 1991, the group signed to Victory Music, a new label launched by JVC
and distributed worldwide by London Records
and Polygram
, and recorded more new material. This was combined with tracks from the Sydney sessions to form Tin Machine II
album. In late 1991 Bowie reiterated that he was still happy being in the band during that time, stating "I'm content. ... I'm deriving a great deal of fulfillment from working with Tin Machine", and band-mate Gabrels agreed, saying "we're doing exactly what we wanted to do." During press performances for songs on the album, Gabrels famously played his guitar with a vibrator and on another occasion (when banned from using the vibrator on BBC
's "Top of the Pops
"), a chocolate eclair.
. The band was joined on this tour by guitarist Eric Schermerhorn
, who would go on to play with Bowie's friend Iggy Pop
.
. As early as 1990, Bowie knew he'd be going back to solo work, although not because he disliked working with the band. He said "I have very definite ideas of what I want to do as a solo artist, which I'll be starting on probably late next year (1991), again completely different, hopefully, from what I've done before." Shortly after the release of Oy Vey, Baby, Bowie returned to solo recording with his single “Real Cool World
”, and despite intentions to return to the studio with Tin Machine in 1993 for a third album, the band dissolved.
Bowie used his time with the band as a way to revitalize himself and his career, (which he would later call a "lifeline"), citing Reeves Gabrels as a source of his new-found energy and direction:
The band itself, despite earning mixed reviews during its existence, has, in later years, often been found "unjustly" harshly reviewed.
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
formed in 1988, famous for being fronted by singer David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
. The group recorded two studio albums before dissolving in 1992, when Bowie returned to his solo career. Drummer Hunt Sales said that the group's name "reflects the sound of the band," and Bowie stated that he and his bandmates joined up "to make the kind of music that we enjoyed listening to."
1987-1988: Band genesis
The Never Let Me DownNever Let Me Down
Never Let Me Down is an album by David Bowie, released in April 1987. Written over a 3-month period and recorded in Switzerland, Bowie regarded the album at the time as a "move back to rock 'n roll music...
album and subsequent Glass Spider Tour
Glass Spider Tour
In 1987, David Bowie embarked on The Glass Spider Tour in support of the album Never Let Me Down alongside famed guitarist Peter Frampton. The tour was named after the album track "Glass Spider." The concert tour was the most ambitious by Bowie up to that date, surpassing the Serious Moonlight Tour...
had left critics unimpressed, and Bowie was aware of his low standing. Eager to return to making music for himself rather than the mainstream audience he had acquired following the Let's Dance album, Bowie began collaborating with Reeves Gabrels
Reeves Gabrels
Reeves Gabrels is an American guitarist, known for virtuosity, versatility, and originality. His compositions and improvisations defy genre and "explore sonic extremes with a great, adaptive intuition for what each song needs most."...
(who pushed the singer to rediscover his experimental side) and multi-instrumentalist Erdal Kizilcay
Erdal Kizilcay
Erdal Kizilcay is a multi-instrumental musician of Turkish birth who has worked with, among others, David Bowie. He lives in Aegerten, Switzerland.-With David Bowie:*Never Let Me Down...
on new material in 1988 (although Erdal Kizilcay would ultimately not join the band). Bowie and Reeves met through Reeves' wife, who was part of the press staff for the North American leg of Bowie's 1987 Glass Spider world tour. Reeves' wife had given Bowie a tape of Reeves' guitar playing, and after listening to the tape, Bowie approached Reeves so they could work together. The first fruits of this came with a new version of Bowie’s 1979 song "Look Back in Anger
Look Back in Anger (song)
"Look Back in Anger" is a song written by David Bowie and Brian Eno for the album Lodger . It concerns "a tatty 'Angel Of Death'", and features a guitar solo by Carlos Alomar....
", performed at the Intruders At The Palace benefit concert
Benefit concert
A benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
on 1 July 1988. Bowie, who had run into Tony Sales in Los Angeles at a wrap party for his Glass Spider Tour, convinced Tony to call his brother Hunt so they could work together. Tony recalled that Bowie was "thinking about getting a band together - something together. He didn't know exactly what he wanted to do, but he wanted Hunt and I to meet Reeves and maybe we could all write together, come up with something."
Bowie himself was surprised with how things came together with the band, stating:
The band split profits four ways, no one was on a salary and each member paid for their own expenses. Bowie also clarified that "the band will cease to exist the moment it ceases to be a musical experience for any of us. None of us wanted to get into the kind of situation where you find yourself making albums because you're contracted to."
The Sales brothers moved the tone of the sessions away from art-rock and more towards hard rock, and Bowie looked to one of his favorite bands at the time, The Pixies, for inspiration. The Sales brothers heckled Bowie into greater spontaneity, with most songs recorded in one take, and lyrics left unpolished, thus giving the band a ragged, punk rock edge similar to the Pixies.
The band claimed their musical influences were Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa was an American jazz and big band drummer and composer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.-Biography:...
, Charlie Mingus, Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, Glenn Branca
Glenn Branca
Glenn Branca is an American avant-garde composer and guitarist known for his use of volume, alternative guitar tunings, repetition, droning, and the harmonic series. In 2008 he was awarded an unrestricted grant from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts.-Beginnings: 1960s and early 1970s:Branca...
and Mountain
Mountain (band)
Mountain is an American hard rock band that formed in Long Island, New York in 1969. Originally comprising vocalist and guitarist Leslie West, bassist Felix Pappalardi and drummer N. D. Smart, the band broke up in 1972 before reuniting in 1974 and remaining active until today...
. Reeves described the roots of their sound as coming from bands like Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
, Hendrix and the Jeff Beck Group: "No lifts of licks. Those are just our roots."
The group chose the name Tin Machine after one of the songs they had written. Reeves Gabrels elaborated on the name choice:
The group set up allowed Bowie a certain level of anonymity, and to that end Bowie stipulated that all four members divide interviews equally between them and that in the cases where he was interviewed, that another member of the band be present as well. He made a point to clarify that he didn't invite the others to join "his" band, rather, "the band literally came together." Also according to Bowie, the group decided when they formed that they'd play from album to album, and that "if we were still getting on with each other - which was the priority - that we'd continue."
1988-1989: First album and tour
The band’s self-titled first albumTin Machine (album)
Tin Machine is the debut album of Tin Machine originally released by EMI in 1989. The group was the latest venture of David Bowie, inspired by sessions with guitarist Reeves Gabrels...
was recorded in late 1988 and early 1989. It produced mixed but generally positive reviews upon release in May 1989, picking up favourable comparisons with Bowie’s two more recent solo albums. Commercially, the album initially sold well, reaching #3 in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
, but sales quickly tailed off. Gabrels claimed in 1991 that album sales from the first album were "ten times better" than he had anticipated. The band undertook a low-key tour
Tin Machine Tour
The Tin Machine Tour of David Bowie's band Tin Machine commenced on 14 June 1989, following a performance of Heaven's In Here at the International Music Awards in New York City on 31 May 1989. The tour comprised 12 performances in six countries in venues with a capacity of 2,000 or less...
in small venues between 14 June and 3 July 1989, before further recording sessions in Sydney, Australia. During these sessions Tin Machine contributed to a surfing compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, Beyond the Beach, with a new instrumental song titled "Needles on the Beach".
1990-1991: Hiatus and second album
The group then went on hiatus while Bowie conducted his solo Sound+Vision Tour. In December 1990, Bowie split from EMIEMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
. Hunt Sales said that EMI "kind of freaked out a little bit at the strident, single-less Tin Machine debut", which partially explained why Bowie switched music labels. In March 1991, the group signed to Victory Music, a new label launched by JVC
JVC
, usually referred to as JVC, is a Japanese international consumer and professional electronics corporation based in Yokohama, Japan which was founded in 1927...
and distributed worldwide by London Records
London Records
London Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
and Polygram
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
, and recorded more new material. This was combined with tracks from the Sydney sessions to form Tin Machine II
Tin Machine II
Tin Machine II is an album by Tin Machine, originally released by Victory Music in 1991.-Recording:The band reconvened following their 1989 tour, recording most of the album before taking a rest while David Bowie conducted his solo Sound+Vision Tour and filmed The Linguini Incident...
album. In late 1991 Bowie reiterated that he was still happy being in the band during that time, stating "I'm content. ... I'm deriving a great deal of fulfillment from working with Tin Machine", and band-mate Gabrels agreed, saying "we're doing exactly what we wanted to do." During press performances for songs on the album, Gabrels famously played his guitar with a vibrator and on another occasion (when banned from using the vibrator on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's "Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
"), a chocolate eclair.
1991-1992: Second tour
From 5 October 1991 to 17 February 1992, the group undertook a larger tour, known as the It's My Life TourIt's My Life Tour
The Tin Machine It's My Life Tour opened on 5 October 1991 after two warm-up shows, one press show and three trade-industry shows. The concert tour itinerary took in twelve countries and sixty-nine performances, a larger outing than the low-key Tin Machine Tour of 1989...
. The band was joined on this tour by guitarist Eric Schermerhorn
Eric Schermerhorn
Eric Schermerhorn, is an American guitarist and composer. Born in Massachusetts on April 11th 1960, he has since lived in NYC and Los Angeles. He played with Iggy Pop on the American Caeser and Naughty Little Doggie albums, and David Bowie on the Tin Machine It's My Life....
, who would go on to play with Bowie's friend Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
.
1992: Live album and dissolution
Tracks from this tour were released on the July 1992 album Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, BabyTin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby
Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby is a live album by Tin Machine originally released by London Records in 1992. It was to be the group's last release, and was recorded on the 1991–1992 It's My Life Tour. The title, suggested by Hunt Sales, was intended as a play on U2's album Achtung Baby.The album...
. As early as 1990, Bowie knew he'd be going back to solo work, although not because he disliked working with the band. He said "I have very definite ideas of what I want to do as a solo artist, which I'll be starting on probably late next year (1991), again completely different, hopefully, from what I've done before." Shortly after the release of Oy Vey, Baby, Bowie returned to solo recording with his single “Real Cool World
Real Cool World
"Real Cool World" is a song from the soundtrack of the film Cool World, performed by David Bowie. Released in August 1992, it represented his first new solo material since Tin Machine dissolved....
”, and despite intentions to return to the studio with Tin Machine in 1993 for a third album, the band dissolved.
Band legacy
Despite some reports that Bowie was unhappy working in the band, Bowie stated multiple times over his years with Tin Machine that he was happy working in that medium.Bowie used his time with the band as a way to revitalize himself and his career, (which he would later call a "lifeline"), citing Reeves Gabrels as a source of his new-found energy and direction:
The band itself, despite earning mixed reviews during its existence, has, in later years, often been found "unjustly" harshly reviewed.
Personnel
- David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
– Vocals, guitar, saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846... - Reeves GabrelsReeves GabrelsReeves Gabrels is an American guitarist, known for virtuosity, versatility, and originality. His compositions and improvisations defy genre and "explore sonic extremes with a great, adaptive intuition for what each song needs most."...
– Guitar, vocals - Tony SalesTony Sales|Tony Fox Sales is an American rock musician. A bass guitarist, Sales and his brother, Hunt Sales, played with Todd Rundgren, Iggy Pop and Tin Machine with David Bowie.-Early life and career:...
– Bass guitar, vocals - Hunt SalesHunt SalesHunt Sales is an American rock and roll drummer who has played with Todd Rundgren, his brother Tony Sales, Iggy Pop and Tin Machine.- Personal life : Hunt Sales is the son of 1950s/60s television comedian Soupy Sales...
– Drums, percussion, vocals
Studio albums
- Tin MachineTin Machine (album)Tin Machine is the debut album of Tin Machine originally released by EMI in 1989. The group was the latest venture of David Bowie, inspired by sessions with guitarist Reeves Gabrels...
– 23 May 1989 (UK #3, US#28) - Tin Machine IITin Machine IITin Machine II is an album by Tin Machine, originally released by Victory Music in 1991.-Recording:The band reconvened following their 1989 tour, recording most of the album before taking a rest while David Bowie conducted his solo Sound+Vision Tour and filmed The Linguini Incident...
– 2 September 1991 (UK#23, US #126)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | |||
| 1989 | "Under the God Under the God "Under the God" was the first single released by Tin Machine, taken from their eponymous debut album in June 1989.The track, a straightforward rock song, established Tin Machine’s manifesto for back-to-basics rock and roll.... " |
51 | 4 | 8 | Tin Machine |
| "Heaven's in Here Heaven's in Here (song) "Heaven's in Here" is the lead track from the eponymous debut album by the band Tin Machine. Written by David Bowie, it was released in 1989 and charted on the Billboard Modern Rock chart, peaking at #12.... " |
— | 12 | — | ||
| "Tin Machine Tin Machine (song) "Tin Machine" is the song from which the band Tin Machine took their name, a track from their debut album, also of the same name. It was released as a single in September 1989, as a double A-side with a live cover of Bob Dylan’s “Maggie's Farm”.... "/"Maggie's Farm (live) Maggie's Farm "Maggie's Farm" is a song written by Bob Dylan, recorded on January 15, 1965, and released on the album Bringing It All Back Home on March 22 of that year... " |
48 | — | — | ||
| "Prisoner of Love" | 78 | — | — | ||
| 1991 | "You Belong in Rock n' Roll" | 33 | — | — | Tin Machine II |
| "Baby Universal Baby Universal "Baby Universal" is a song by Tin Machine, released as a single from their Tin Machine II album in October 1991. It was to be the band's final release before singer David Bowie resumed his solo career.... " |
48 | 21 | — | ||
| "One Shot One Shot (Tin Machine song) "One Shot" is the second track from the album Tin Machine II by Tin Machine. It is the last song released by them to chart on any music charts... " |
— | 3 | — | ||