Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

These days, it’s just me, Dan. Before this, we were a 3-piece band called Mark of 1000 Evils. As for many people during the pandemic, people’s lives changed and we went our separate ways. I wanted to find a way to keep going, improving my drum skills to be able to make whatever music came out.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

– likely not applicable for me –

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

When I was really young I was into The Cure, The Smiths, The Police, and went through a Guns n’ Roses and Metallica phase before getting into so many of the bands that became grunge from Mudhoney, Screaming Trees, Soundgarden as well as  the likes of Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth. My Dad got me into jazz from a fairly young age, I got into heavier stuff while at college and had housemates into electronica and hip-hop that all really rubbed off on me…so what I’m into these days can be a real mix, but there’s almost always a core of rock-influences

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

I got my first guitar when I was 15 and basically hit it with a distortion pedal on! Like many people I learned by ear and have been in a few bands since being a teenager. I’ve never been a muso or someone that would play songs round a campfire but always just wanted to make music in whatever way I could. Certainly took a lot of years to feel confident doing it.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Hmmm…

• Tigercub’s ‘The Perfume of Decay’ album
• Crosses new album
• ‘Sexy Nukim’ by Balming Tiger
• ‘Happy’ by bdrmm
• Run the Jewels 3
• ‘Attack on Memory’, Cloud Nothings
• ‘Dry Ice’ by Manchester locals The Empty Page
• Some of the stuff Empire State Bastard are putting out!

Do you sing in the shower?

Ish…? Sometimes that’s where the best ideas come from! Sometimes it’s badly doing a Sinatra song or something…

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

I think what was really apparent during the pandemic, was looking at my musical output and realising how many 100’s of either jams from rehearsal with the band or ideas generated at home there were and how few songs we’d put out. This year and next is for me about trying to actually finish things, get work out there, see what people think, try out some different flavours. Mainly to please myself!

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Yeah, at the point of writing this, I’m about to finish up vocals on the next few singles. One of them was something I never thought I’d do – some kind of an alt-Christmas track. Beyond that, there’s an EP with more guitars and a band sound and maybe some acoustic stuff I might try out. Loads on the go!

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Hahaha…I genuinely don’t know. It wouldn’t be a massive stadium or anything like that. Something a bit more rough & ready, where you could see the audience maybe?

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Couldn’t pick one and I’m sure it’d change any time I’m asked! There’s a few that are favourite like ‘When Animals Attack’ by Cable, ‘Live at Siné’ the double album by Jeff Buckley, ‘Endtroducing’ by DJ Shadow, ‘Ill Communication’ by Beastie Boys, ‘Disintegration’ by The Cure, ‘Around the Fur’ by Deftones…so many

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Not sure that I do. Things I used to feel that way about…maybe I don’t feel at all guilty these days. ‘Rio’ by Duran Duran has some sick basslines in it and some melancholy moments through it. It bleeds the 80’s and I’m OK with that

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Just a bunch of really talented people. Maybe not even big names. There’s an incredible Japanese pianist called Hiromi that my Dad put me onto that I could watch for hours. She’s amazing

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Guns n’ Roses ‘Use you illusion 1’ – took me a few weeks to save up for part 2 at that point! Think they were closely followed by Metallica’s black album

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

It’s just always amazing when you realise somewhere out there, someone I don’t know is listening to something I’ve made. That never gets old. The fact some of them might then share it around, is a great feeling.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

I use BandCamp mostly: https://thesedeadmachines.bandcamp.com, though you’ll find me as @thesedeadmachines in most places. Giving me a follow on Spotify or any other streaming platform would be a bonus!

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Keep finding new music of any kind to explore. Find new bands to champion. Go along to gigs. All of that stuff keeps new music alive and might be more important than ever. For the price of a couple of pints you might see some awesome bands. Whatever you find – help them spread the word in any way you can!

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum