Oct 12, 2011
At "Day On The Green" #19, featuring Metallica, Queensrÿche, Faith No More, Soundgarden, I started Machine Head.
Well, sort of... it was more of a figurative thought as I didn't have a band yet, but after watching / being blown away by Metallica for the umpteenth time, I decided that I was going to start a side project, as I was unhappy in my then-current band Vio-Lence. Later that night backstage (or maybe while Metallica was still playing and we were watching from the stage-right backstage bleachers?) I turned to my friend, partner-in-crime and long time Vio-Lence fan Adam Duce, and said I was going to start a then-unnamed side project and asked if he would like to play bass. He eagerly agreed.
I had two songs written by then, the heavily Godflesh-inspired "Death Church", and "Blood For Blood", both songs that I had already brought to Vio-Lence, but they were not interested in jamming either of them. Vio-Lence had gone through numerous label changes, were unsigned again, thrash was dead, and the vibe in the band at the time was that the new tunes were going to take a more heavy rock / grunge approach which seemed a bit crazy to me. Though I wasn't thrilled with our new direction, I said I would stay on, and though no one seemed happy about me doing it, starting a side project seemed fairly reasonable considering our circumstances.
4 months later following a (thoroughly documented) AM/PM gas station brawl after an Unjust / Deftones show (Deftones opening) at the Omni in Oakland, I quit Vio-Lence and focused on Machine Head full time. But that was still 4 months away, and for now, it was just a thought, an idea, a dream, that metal could be taken to a different, heavier place.
Did I think that 20 years later Machine Head would be a Top 25, Top 10 or Top 5 charting band throughout the world? Hell no.
Did I think Machine Head would even be going 20 years later? God no!
Did I think that we could become one of the best American metal bands on the planet? Yes.
20 years ago on this very day (October 12, 1991), Machine Head was born.
Happy Birthday, Machine Head.
- Robb
Upcoming Dates
- Spokane, WA US Jun 24
- Portland, OR US Jun 26
- Fresno, CA US Jun 28
- San Bernardino, CA US Jun 29
- Mountain View, CA US Jun 30
- Boise, ID US Jul 02
- Auburn, WA US Jul 03
- Phoenix, AZ US Jul 05
- Albuquerque, NM US Jul 06
- Denver, CO US Jul 07
Leave a comment (20 Responses)
fb_али_што // October 13, 2011 5:24:20 PM UTC
Happy fuckin' birthday and all the best from SERBIA! ! ! Can't wait to see you live in Vienna! CHEERS!!!!
Suicyco // October 13, 2011 9:52:41 AM UTC
Happy fuckin' birthday MH, my favourite band, part of my life. Thank you all! Now I crack out a beer and just hear you new shit! Cheers!
fb_marcos_medeiros // October 13, 2011 12:25:44 AM UTC
Happy birthday!
Destroy everything in concert at Via Funchal Friday night!
I will travel far for that.
mCD_King!
illvivi // October 12, 2011 11:43:58 PM UTC
Happy Birthday Machine Head!! I was sitting in the Subway next to RockaFella's you were touring with Stuck Mojo&SYL. You guys were two albums in at the time & I was right there with you!! MANNA, only for EARS. I was horrible at knowing people by their faces (STILL AM) so when Robb walks in to use the leu, my (at the time) husband asks if I recognize you, knowing I damn well wouldn't. I half rose to speak to you and he kept me. "Robb HATES that," he says. I just threw down in the pit like always. What else to do? As relationships go.. humans as they are, the ex has pissed me off in EVERY kinda way couples and ex's do. I begrudge him none of it EXCEPT stopping me from talking to you, buying you all a beer and smoking you out that night. I STILL want to tech for Captain America, damnit ~A Thousand Kudos~ME
Shadow_Rayne // October 12, 2011 11:07:56 PM UTC
the first song i ever heard was a thousand lies, way back in the day on the radio.loved it then, and all i can say is literally every album is more amazing then the last. i love everything about machine head. i relate to the lyrics, the music is full of emotion, and i listen to machine head every day. can't wait to see you guys again!!! come back to ohio and headline
Aussie stoph // October 12, 2011 10:44:26 PM UTC
Fucking awesome guys, ill never forget the day i heard davidian, was sitting there with my older brother watching RAGE and fucking boom my ears exploded when i first heard the intro to davidian, was absolutely blown away and ever since then i've followed use and to be honest your music has saved me, i see your music as my savior thanks guys, Cheers MACHINE FUCKING HEAD!!!
OverOurDemise // October 12, 2011 10:28:01 PM UTC
Been Listening to Machine Fucking Head for 5 years now. They've been my favorite for 3. First song I heard from them was Imperium, It absolutely blew my mind. They have just been getting heavier and continue to Impress the world. Happy Birthday Machine Head!! Rob, Dave, Adam and Phil, You Guys Fucking Rule!!!!!!
Evy666 // October 12, 2011 10:27:02 PM UTC
Congratulations guys!!! Keep on rockin' ! Always! Cheers!
BogiLovesMH // October 12, 2011 10:01:41 PM UTC
Holy Shit ! Congratulations ! Ive been listening to you guys for like... a year or so, and
When i first heard Machine Head it blew my fucking mind off ! first song i ever heard was Aesthetics Of Hate ! I also got Unto The Locust the same day it came out, and ive never heard anything like it man ! it is so god dam amazing ! Awesome job you guys are doing ! keep on doing it man ! i will be with you guys till the end !
Machine Fucking Head !!!!
alsobrante // October 12, 2011 9:21:47 PM UTC
hey man! Happy birthday from VENEZUELA! your new album kick so much ass is almost ridiculous! there's have been a nice transition on the lastest albums, Super Charger still blows my mind and one of my life long dreams is (apart of hear and see you live) hear "Burn my Eyes" from start to finish... When those critics writte those stupid reviews just remember: You are MACHINE FUCKING HEAD and Us, the fans, will always be especting awesome music from you, the way you only can do it, do music for you and Us and that's what matters, you make music for us and I'm fucking glad you are doing it 'till this day... and yes, in my opinion you are one of the best American metal bands on the planet. CHEERS!
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