Secret Machines Reveal Curious Stage Design

Here's official word on their current set up via designer Es Devlin: *The band will be caught within a Naum Gabo inspired romboid structure surfaced with gauze and punctuated with radiating tensioned cables which will catch the light in a more lyrical way than a pure saturated block of back light. What the fans see will be a visual expression and counterpoint to what they hear allowing them the space to project their own interpretation of the music and the courage to intensify it...*

Read my Q&A with the band here.

MP3: Secret Machines - Nowhere...

8 Questions With: The Secret Machines

In our latest word association session, TSM frontman, Brandon Curtis, shares a myriad of thoughts and inspirations relating to each track on the band's stellar new self titled junior LP. Here's what he had to say:

Atomic Heels: This is the blues I'm singing. Why don't you watch where you're going?

Last Believer, Drop Dead: My one regret is that when she got up from the table where we were both seated, I stayed behind staring out the window.

Have I Run Out?: I have a recurring dream where I am with my friends and family as a great catastrophe occurs: flood, fire, bad stuff.

Underneath The Concrete: After my friend, Susan, moved to New York she got a temp job working in the financial district. One day after leaving work, while going down into the subway, she was pushed down the stairs to the landing. As the fellow was snatching her purse from her, the other people walking into the station just walked around her like she wasn't there.

Now You're Gone: I have a hard time not losing things, so I have to do very repetitive, ritualistic things with my phone, keys and wallet so I can keep track of them. I wish there were something I could do to stop losing friends.

The Walls Are Starting To Crack: I woke up the other day with a cold shooting pain down my left arm. I laid very still for a while and thought maybe I should call somebody. Then I decided I was being paranoid.

I Never Thought To Ask: Maybe it was on purpose. I remember hearing somewhere "what you don't know can't hurt you". Or maybe it was the other way around.

The Fire Is Waiting: I wish I would stop doing things I end up regretting. Or maybe I could figure out how to not regret the things I do.

Visit The Secret Machines on MySpace.

MP3: The Secret Machines - Atomic Heels

Secret Machines Reveal LP3 Cover Art & Tracks, Fall Tour

Their self-titled set (out next month) will include:

Atomic Heels
Last Believer, Drop Dead
Have I Run Out
Underneath The Concrete
Now You're Gone
The Walls Are Starting To Crack
I Never Thought To Ask
The Fire Is Waiting

View all upcoming gigs at the duo's MySpace page.

MP3: Secret Machines - Nowhere Again

The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #758

Secret Machines - Dreaming Of Dreaming

As we eagerly await LP3...

Enjoy this fabulous non-album track.

The aforementioned set is due out in October.

MP3: Secret Machines - Dreaming Of Dreaming

Secret Machines Share Title & Release Date For New LP

Another day, another tidbit.

Their latest effort sees daylight in October.

It'll be self titled.

Learn more over at Billboard.

MP3: Secret Machines - Nowhere Again

The Secret Machines Hint At New LP

The as-yet-untitled record is due out this fall.

It'll be released through World's Fair.

More info to be unveiled shortly.

Visit The Secret Machines on MySpace.

MP3: The Secret Machines - It's A Bad Wind...

Secret Machines Perform New Tune In Buffalo

Enjoy last week's take on 'The Fire Is Waiting' below. A new LP is expected by mid-summer.


MP3: Secret Machines - It's A Bad Wind...

Secret Machines Reveal Spring Tour Dates

The handful of gigs are as follows:

April 28 - Philly, PA - North Star Bar
April 30 - Allston, MA - Great Scott
May 1 - Albany, NY - Jack Rabbit Slim's
May 2 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
May 4 - Northampton, MA - Pearl Street

Visit Secret Machines on MySpace.

MP3: Secret Machines - It's A Bad Wind...

The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #326

Secret Machines - Marconi's Radio

The 1st track off of the band's 2002 EP, September 000.

Visit Secret Machines at their MySpace page here.

The duo's long-awaited junior LP is due out early next year.

MP3: Secret Machines - Marconi's Radio [alt link]

The Secret Machines To Headline Ludfest

Here's the story, via NME: *The Secret Machines have been announced to headline the first annual 'Ludfest', which will take place next month. The mini-festival will be staged on Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side and will feature performances by A Place To Bury Strangers and Emok, with more bands to be announced shortly. The event is being held to raise funds for 7th Precinct Community Council which helps needy members of the local community including offering toys to children, and funding the Explorers Program for teens. 'Ludfest' will take place 12pm-8pm on September 9.*

Can't wait!

MP3: 'It's A Bad Wind That Don't Blow Somebody Some Good'

The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #83

The Secret Machines - Silent Night

Christmas in August, why not?

While we anxiously await The Secret Machines' forthcoming record (due out in early '08 - or so we hear), let's enjoy a rare cover of the holiday classic, which was initially released last December via the band's MySpace page.

(photo via Rolling Stone)

MP3: The Secret Machines - Silent Night

Secret Machines Playing 'Secret Show' At The Annex This Thursday

Just announced!

This is in addition to their show at Highline Ballroom scheduled for this Saturday, as part of David Bowie's much-buzzed Highline Festival.

Purchase tix for both gigs via this Ticketweb link.

In related SM news, it seems as if the guys are not planning to replace former guitarist, Ben Curtis, anytime soon.

If you recall, Ben left the band in March to pursue full time work with his new project, School Of Seven Bells.

If Secret Machines' new MySpace photos are any indication, two is the new magic number.

MP3: The Secret Machines - Girl From The North Country (Dylan cover)

The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #26

Secret Machines - Money (That's What I Want)

Released on The Road Leads Where It's Led EP, back in '05, The Secret Machines attempted multiple covers on the short-player (including 'The Girl From North Country' and 'Astral Weeks') but probably my favorite of the bunch would be their take on 1959 mega-hit 'Money'. The single, originally recorded by Barrett Strong, hit #2 on the US R&B charts nearly forty years ago.

The tune's been covered over twenty times by artists ranging from The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, Shonen Knife, The Sonics, Cheap Trick, Buddy Guy and of course, The Secret Machines. It was even feaured in the classic film, Animal House!

Take a listen to the TSM version below and tell us how you think it compares to the original.

MP3: Secret Machines - Money (That's What I Want)

Secret Machines Guitarist Quits Band!

Noooo!

Brandon (singer) reveals the following on the band's official message board about his brother, Ben: I am writing to make a couple of announcements. First of all I want to let everybody know that The Secret Machines have begun work on our third album. We expect to begin recording sometime in the beginning of May. Unfortunately, I also must share that after 7 and 1/2 years of playing music together Benjamin has decided to no longer be a part of the band. It is a sad day but also an exciting one as he prepares to focus full time on his new creative venture, School of Seven Bells. He has told me that he expects to be finished with a new record very soon as well as there being plans in the works to play some shows here in New York debuting the band. Of course Josh and I wish him all the best.

Thanks to Prefix for the heads up on this one! Here's our review of one of the band's Irving Plaza shows from October '06.

Check out Ben's other's band, School Of Seven Bells, here!

MP3: The Secret Machines - It's A Bad Wind That Don't Blow Somebody Some Good (via Ace Fu)

Justin Timberlake And Secret Machines Have More In Common Than You Think!

No, they don't have a collaboration coming up, although I'd pay good $$ to see that!

Justin decided his FutureSex tour will be in-the-round, much like The Secret Machines current tour, which wraps up 11/4 @ Warsaw.

For those of you who are dying to bring sexy back, here are your opportunities:

Jan. 8: San Diego, Calif. (iPayOne Center)
Jan. 9: Anaheim, Calif. (Honda Center)
Jan. 12: Sacramento, Calif. (ARCO Arena)
Jan. 14: Phoenix (Glendale Arena)
Jan. 16: Los Angeles (Staples Center)
Jan. 17: Fresno, Calif. (Savemart Center)
Jan. 27: St. Paul, Minn. (Xcel Energy Center)
Jan. 30: Toronto (Air Canada Centre)
Jan. 31: Montreal (Bell Centre)
Feb. 2: Washington, D.C. (Verizon Center)
Feb. 3: Cleveland (Quicken Loans Arena)
Feb. 6: Boston (TD Banknorth Garden)
Feb. 7: New York (Madison Square Garden)
Feb. 18: Buffalo, N.Y. (HSBC Arena)
Feb. 22: Tampa, Fla. (St. Pete Times Forum)
Feb. 24: Miami (American Airlines Arena)
Feb. 25: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (BankAtlantic Center)
Feb. 27: Atlanta (Philips Arena)
March 1: New Orleans (New Orleans Arena)
March 3: Bossier City, La. (CenturyTel Center)
March 4: Houston (Toyota Center)
March 5: Dallas (American Airlines Center)
March 8: Omaha, Neb. (Qwest Center)
March 9: Ames, Iowa (Hilton Coliseum)
March 16: Nashville (Gaylord Entertainment Center)
March 18: Charlottesville, Va. (John Paul Jones Arena)
March 19: Pittsburgh (Mellon Arena)
March 21: Uniondale, N.Y. (Nassau Coliseum)
March 24: Uncasville, Conn. (Mohegan Sun)
March 27: Philadelphia (Wachovia Center)
March 29: East Rutherford, N.J. (Continental Airlines Arena)

The 411 On 11/4

This just in!

Kevin Federline is coming to Webster Hall!! Oh no.

Also just in, The Secret Machines add a final show to their US tour. It's a second show at Warsaw.

Lastly, our beloved Birdmonster headline an afternoon show at Sin-e. Their set time is 4pm.

Which will YOU be attending? All of the above?

The Secret Machines @ Irving Plaza: Three Is A Magic Number

Last night was The Secret Machines' opening night of their US tour in support of this year's thrilling, Ten Silver Drops. Josh, Ben and Brandon collectively decided to have this tour in-the-round.


While I was under the assumption that each band member would be in an opposite side of the room, the show actually featured a circular stage directly in the center of Irving Plaza (just like the Hiro Ballroom show earlier this year). The stage dymanic was intense, just like the music the band produces.


I was rather surprised to hear 2 pre-Now Here Is Nowhere tracks in the set, particularly one opening the show. That said, they sounded great and fresh in spite of their age. The band see-sawed for most of their set with songs from NHIN and TSD with a cover of 'Money' thrown in for good measure.


'The Road Leads Where It'd Led' was breathtaking and powerful. 'All At Once', which isn't necessarily one of my favorites on TSD, sounded glorious and was one of the most well-received tracks of the night.


The band hopped off stage briefly after 'Now Here Is Nowhere', only to return with a 4-song blustering encore that closed with a glowing version of 'First Wave Intact'. 120 minutes of sheer bliss!


I'm Just Sayin' has live versions of 'The Road Leads Where It's Led' and 'Alone Jealous & Stoned' for download!

And because I love you, here's the setlist:


Once again, the band plays Irving Plaza again tonight and Warsaw in Brooklyn in a month. That show will end the US tour; the boys head to Europe immediately afterwards!

Secret Machines Add 2nd Irving Show

Yup, October 2nd is sold out but October 3rd is now on-sale. Be smart and save $8 (TM charges) by going to Irving Plaza to pick up your tickets. They open at noon.

The show will be in the round!

They will also be at Warsaw a month later.

Here's a recent setlist from the El Rey show in LA back in May.



This one will be the crowd fave: 'Nowhere Again'

Bloc Party, Secret Machines & Mew @ McCarren Park: Clap! Your! Hands!

It's rare that I will endure seeing every band on a bill. This line-up was surely worth the foot pain that followed.

First up were Danish superstars, Mew. Wearing all black in 92 degree weather is a feat within itself, but the guys truly surprised me with their energy and melody. For me it was a little Kasabian meets Secret Machines. As you could have guessed, I ate it up. Their newest release just came out in the States on Tuesday. Purchase it ASAP!


Secret Machines were next. How much do I love these guys? Acoustic, electric, it doesn't matter. They are unreal and have released 2 of my favorite albums of the last 5 years. Tonight, they split the set evenly amongst Now Here Is Nowhere and Ten Silver Drops. If you don't adore them, then I don't think we can be friends. Setlist went: Nowhere Again/The Road Leads Where It's Led/Daddy's In The Doldrums/Alone Jealous & Stoned/Lightning Blue Eyes/First Wave Intact.




Bloc Party, Bloc Party. Wow, what a graduation from The Bowery Ballroom just a year ago. Kele is a thrilling frontman, nothing's changed there. Each song on Silent Alarm was sung as if it was an anthem. And in a way, I guess they all are, or have become them over the last 15 months. The set started with 'Waiting For The 718' and ended with 'Pioneers'. The new stuff was tops as well. Kudos to another fine show! Setlist: Waiting For The 718/Positive Tension/Banquet/Blue Light/She's Hearing Voices/Hunting For Witches/This Modern Love/Like Eating Glass/Little Thoughts/Helicopter///So Here We Are/Price Of Gas/Compliments/Pioneers

Jen's Bloc Party Pictures:



Excellent recap Matt. It was certainly a hot, sweaty, fabulous night. I should never have doubted that Bloc Party would get me jumping as much as they did. Chris MusicSnobbery was also there getting his groove on, as was Amrit Village Indian for Stereogum and Jerry Yeti Don't Dance (I couldn't see him, but I bet he was dancing).

Secret Machines @ Virgin Megastore

If you couldn't already tell by my myriad posts about Secret Machines over the last 2 weeks, I'm very excited about the new album.



It's genius. 8 well-crafted gems without any sort of fluff. I love it. In a way, it reminds me of ( ). I get a similar feeling and the songs provoke you in a very familiar way. If Sigur Ros and Secret Machines ever did a joint tour I very well might lose my head. That'd be unreal!

Anyway, out of daydreaming and back to the show.



Considering how powerful and large their sound is, I was particularly curious to see how they would pull off an entirely acoustic set. Well, the answer is, they put on a brilliant stripped-down show.






Speaking with drummer Josh before they hit the stage, he said he had no idea what the band was going to play (apparently brothers Ben and Brandon call the shots) but promised that it'd be a treat to hear the 'bare bones' feel of the songs.

He wasn't kidding.



"Alone Jealous + Stoned" was especially perfect last night. The gentle insrumentation combined with Ben and Brandon's vocals work extraorinarily well together. For me this was the highlight. As was "Daddy's In The Doldrums". Oh, whatever, I was mesmorized by the entire set!

For all keeping score, the setlist went like this:

Lightning Blue Eyes
Alone Jealous + Stoned
Daddy's In The Doldrums
Nowhere Again
1,000 Seconds




The band will be touring, outside of NY (imagine that!) all summer long.
Don't miss it, for the love of Matisyahu!!!