Of Machines
| Of Machines | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Genres | Post-hardcore |
| Years active | 2006–2010, 2013–Present |
| Labels | Rise |
| Associated acts | Woe, Is Me, Lead Hands, Native Suns, I Create |
| Members |
Bennett Freeman Jon Lugo Michael Matejick Mark Tanner |
| Past members |
Dylan Anderson Wesley Hohensee Austin Thornton Loniel Robinson Jasön Mays Brent Guistwite AJ Khah Jake Hutchins[1] |
Of Machines are an American post-hardcore band from Atlanta. Formed in 2006, the band was originally known as We Are Kings and changed its name in the year following its formation. The band signed to Rise Records during October 2008 and released its only album, As If Everything Was Held in Place, on March 3, 2009 before disbanding April 19, 2010. However, on January 19, 2013, after many hints that they were re-forming, released a video announcing they are "back together with the original line-up" (excluding the drummer, Austin Thornton) and where to release one last album titled Chroma Dreamcoat. In April 2015 following a statement on their Facebook page that their upcoming album wasn't to be completed due to the absence of vocalist Dylan Anderson, the band released two demo recordings to their fans.
History
Early years, Signing to Rise Records, and As If Everything Was Held In Place (2006–2009)
Mark Tanner and Dylan Anderson began their ambition as musicians during high school and were a part of a group named Bless Me, Ultima with friends of theirs until personal problems lead to the band breaking up. Following that, Tanner and Anderson collaborated again in a new band named Their Eyes Look North. Soon after another personal problem, that band too disbanded. A local search by a band named We Are Kings led to them discovering Tanner and Anderson and adding them to the roster of members. Before being signed by Rise Records, the band traveled to Chango Gridlock studios in Florida in an old van with a video recorder to document the making of their first EP as a new band. While recording its album, the band impressed several labels while selecting Rise, to which they were signed on October 14, 2008.[2] The first album, As If Everything Was Held in Place, was released on March 3, 2009.[3][4] After that, the band was almost constantly touring across the United States, supporting such bands as Attack Attack! and Burden of a Day.
Canceled second album and break-up (2010-2013)
On February 17, 2010, lead singer Anderson stated that Of Machines "might be taking a little hiatus/break for a while just get back on our feet but other than that, we're trying hard to write the second album." Unfortunately, on the same day Bennett Freeman left the band on an unknown cause.
However, on April 19, 2010, guitarist Mike Matejick said that Of Machines had come to an end after several line up changes and eight U.S tours.
| “ | I've been turning this over in my head for weeks, now. At first I was angry, then confused, then incredibly bummed, until, finally, I was able to come to grips with it ... Of Machines is over. I don't think everyone in the band fully understood what we had accomplished in such a short amount of time. None of us have been so lucky to start a band and with in 3 months of being together and not even have played a single show, got signed. it was an amazing feeling to go from nothing to touring across the U.S. During our time as Of Machines we went on 8 U.S. Tours and sold more than 8,000+ cds, this is the most i had ever done in my life and probably ever will.
But this was not enough to keep Dylan. Dylan left Of Machines the week after our last tour with the guys in Love Hate Hero. He almost did this to us on our second tour because of the bands financial problems but he ended up staying and waiting until now.. the stress of financial issues, pressure from family and a ever developing mind set has forced him to leave the band in search of who he is and what he is meant to do in life.Dylan leaving created a domino effect. Almost immediately after Dylan's departure Jon decided it would be too much work to find a new singer and felt like this would never be the same. So he has decided to pursue his dream of becoming a culinary artist at Le Cordon Bleu. This left me (Mike), Brent and our new keyboardist Jason. We were determined to make things work until we lost the support of Rise and Artery. After this happen we knew it just wasn't going to happen for us there is no way to make this work. I will be posting everything we had ever demoed, messed around with, anything and everything we had ever did on the myspace shortly. Also i will be selling the last of our merch and cds for very very cheap if anyone is still interested in any of it. Damn.. I'm going to miss all of this. I can't believe that this has all happened. I just want to say thank you to everyone that has ever let us chill with them, stay at there House, or eat there food. We experienced so many crazy things. From drunk people beating up our van, crazy dads protecting their daughters from us to the hotel stay in Ohio (Elliott knows what I'm talking about) These memories have been amazing. I will never forget in Texas chillin at the uhal place jammin with some friends, driving getting stuck in some of the craziest weather and all the crazy times in Cali. Also thank you so much to everyone who has ever supported us, bought/downloaded a cd or merch or came to a show. You have no idea how much everything meant to us. Our fans were amazing! You guys stuck with us through all the bullshit member changes and everything. I feel terrible we were unable to give you guys another Cd. But i guess its like everyone says all good things must come to an end.. Thank you so much everyone, Love and never forget Dylan, Mark, Jon, Michael, Brent, Jason, Austin, Loniel, Bennett |
” |
"Re-establishment", Honor the Season Donation Fund, and "Chroma Dreamcoat" (2013-2014)
On January 9, the band released the statement asking fans, "If we recorded an EP, who would want it?". When an outpour of emotional and excited comments ensued on the status they replied "back with the original line-up", when many people asked who would be in the band. After many days of silence, they later on released a YouTube video explaining that Of Machines have reunited. The group also created a Tumblr Blog and are requesting $1,000 in creation for an EP titled "Chroma Dreamcoat".[5]
As of February 3, the band announced on their Facebook page that they now have at least $1500, and that they would soon be closing the donation fund. They also gave small hints on more information about "Chroma Dreamcoat", and who the drummer will be.
On February 12, the band officially announced that they had started writing new music for "Chroma Dreamcoat", and that the donation fund was closing in a week. On Facebook they stated:
"$2,006 on day twenty-three! Seven more days for last donations! This has been so amazing and such a overwhelming amount of support! Thank you so much! We have some really awesome things coming your way soon! STAY TUNED! xoxoxo"
On February 21, the band announced that they made $2,100 and that Wesley Hohensee (Native Suns, I Create) will be the new drummer on the album.
On May 26, they posted through their Facebook, that they would be doing a live video chat on Ustream at 9:00 P.M. (Eastern Time.) On that chat they revealed new information about the new album, including the fact that the album would contain 6-7 songs. They also confirmed that they were going to start touring, possibly with Native Suns.
On September 9, the band officially released a teaser of its EP on YouTube. The teaser also revealed its possible release time which is sometime in Winter 2013.
On October 10, the band released a demo from the new EP titled "An Autobiography in Vivid Color Pt. 2 (Demo)". A few days later it was removed from YouTube due to copyright infringement and the band stated on Facebook they had to change their name.[6] On October 14, however, the band reposted the song with the following message: "Back by popular demand! Please send ur love to Rise. <3" suggesting that the copyright issues had been sorted out. On January 25, 2014, they released a new song entitled "All Along The Greyscale".
Uncertainty (2015)
Early April 2015, the band removed its official Facebook page from existence. With no explanation, the fans were left to wonder and fear that their donations were run away with. On April 17, 2015, the official Facebook page was brought back up and they announced that the Chroma Dreamcoat EP is never going to happen as vocalist, Dylan Anderson, abruptly left the band with all of the fan donations under his name. The band is looking forward to finishing the EP with a new vocalist as the band had already finished writing music and recorded demos without a vocalist. In April 2015 the band released two demos on their Facebook page from the album.
Personnel
- Current line-up
- Bennett Freeman - unclean vocals, electronics (2006–2010; 2013–present)
- Jon Lugo - guitars (2006–2010; 2013–present)
- Michael Matejick - guitars (2006–2010; 2013–present)
- Mark Tanner - bass guitar (2006–2010; 2013–present)
- Former members
- Dylan Anderson - clean vocals (2006–2010; 2013–2015)
- Wesley Hohensee - drums (2013–2014)
- Austin Thornton - drums, programming (2006–2009)
- Loniel Robinson - drums (2009–2010, currently in letlive.)
- Brent Guistwite - drums (2010, currently in Cursed Sails)
Discography
- As If Everything Was Held in Place (2009)
- Chroma Dreamcoat (2015)
Videography
- "Things Too Visible to See" (2009, directed by Color Factory)