The Machines, Southend's first Punk band, were formed in 1977 by Nick Paul, and are known for their infamous 'True Life' EP (a record which is now listed in Record Collectors 100 Most Collectible Punk Records) and with it they reached the upper reaches of the Alternative Charts when it was originally released on Wax Records in 1978, with the late DJ John Peel playing the song many times on his late night show.
The band burned brightly for a relatively short time between 1977-1978, and together with the aforementioned EP they also managed to play the twin Mecca‰۪s of London Punk - The Roxy and The Vortex. Fast forward to 2006, and the band regenerated, with Stephen Reddihough on Bass and Backing Vocals and Steve Pegrum (aka Steve Machine) on Drums, together with the aforementioned Nick Paul, on Guitar and Vocals. The two Steve's lay a driving, solid rhythm to which Nick adds his infamous crazed guitar playing. In 2006 the band played a special show at The Boston Arms celebrating the release of a compilation CD featuring two rare Machines tracks from 1977.
The band have played solidly around the UK since reforming, and in 2008 they played The Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, as well as The Brighton Fringe Festival. They also have managed to record new songs such as 'Girl In Black' (Dedicated to Johnny Thunders) and 'Weekend', as well as recording lost '77 Classics such as ‰Û÷Parents Zone‰۪ and ‰Û÷Don't Be Fooled‰۪.
This Debut CD by The Machines, and the first release on new Label Angels in Exile collects all the recordings the band have made so far, including the 10 songs they recently recorded with Barry Gardner, as well as including the two rare 1977 Demo Songs ('Racing and 'You Better Hear') as well as all the tracks from the True Life EP, which receives its first official release here, since 1978.
Track Listing:
1 Racing / 2 Cyclone / 3 Perfect Black / 4 Pirate Times / 5 Weekend / 6 Girl in Black / 7 Chain Gang /åÊ8 Parents Zone / 9 Sue This Song / 10 Don't Be Fooled Bonus Tracks 11 Racing (1977 demo) / 12 You Better Hear (1977 demo) / 13 True Life (1978 EP) / 14 Everythings Technical (1978 EP) / 15 You Better Hear (1978 EP) / 16 Evening Radio (1978 EP)