Voice of the Underground

Ugly Machine

by Freddy Metal

Are you guys really that ugly?

Well, it's an ugly world and we all live here so, yeah, I guess so.

Why the name Ugly Machine?

Like I said it's an ugly world. An ugly machine if you will.

Are you really a machine?

Yes, everything seems to be a machine when you get down to it. It's all systems, and conditions. Stimulus and response. How long has the group been in existance?

Ugly Machine has been around for two years. In your own words describe your band's sound & influences?

Modern heavy rock, with melody. We all have very eclectic tastes when it comes to music. Some of us are very into classical, some are into jazz and progressive rock. We all have a common ground with heavy metal though. We all enjoy metal of one era or another, from bands like Slayer and Death, to stuff like High on Fire and Otep.

Name some bands in which you've shared the stage & opened?

My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Hank III, The Electric Hellfire Club, Dope, Rite of Passage, Seven Cycle Theory, Hoar.

Where & what studio did the production "Self Destrution Games" take place?

Bennet House in Franklin, TN. It's no longer a studio though. A church across the street bought the building and turned it into offices for the most part. I think they still record church music or something there. I don't know. It's a shame though because the place was a huge ante-bellum mansion. It was a really impressive place and we had a great time there. Post production was done in our producers studio, Thunder Audio Productions. Joe Funderburgh was the producer and it was a real blast working together with him on the project. He has a great, friendly vibe that really contributed to our productivity.

What's Ugly Machine long & short term goals as far as touring, recording, writeing ect?

We are always writing, we can't stop it, even when people tell us not to so we can focus on other things. It's always there, I think if we stopped writing we wouldn't have an outlet for our day to day trials and frustrations. We are always expanding our touring, looking for new places to go. Long term goals are to take this as far as possible. We are never satisfied with where we are and what we are doing. We always feel like it could be more.

What would you say is your biggest gripe about the music industry?

Oversaturation and commercialism. That's all we will say about that.

Are you happy with where the band stands today in the Int'l underground Hard music scene?

Yes, it's getting better all the time. With the internet giving everyone an equal opportunity for more exposure, distribution and promotion, the underground is an exciting place to be these days. I love how digital media is shaking up the status quo in the music business. Seriously big changes are coming and in some cases are already here. If you can't adapt you will not survive it. It's good for all the underground bands. More bands from the underground are touring all over the place and that's good for everyone. The support coming from places like Mtv2 is really astonishing these days. I don't think there has ever been anything like it.

What do you feel sets Ugly Machine apart from other Metal Acts?

Our sense of melody and dynamics. Our diverse musical interests and bacgrounds. The fact that if we want to do something we just do it, we don't worry about whether or not it's an "Ugly Machine" thing to do, because ultimately if we do it, then it is an Ugly Machine thing.

What is the most outrageous thing that ever happened to you on stage during a performance or rehersel?

That's classified on a need to know basis.

Your musical influences and why?

As I mention, we are all very eclectic in our tastes. Basically if we like something it's an influence.

What can fans expect to see at a live Ugly Machine show?

Raw energy and emotion. We live for playing live, when it all comes down to it, that's what this is all about. So when we are out there, we don't hold back.

Where do you see the band in 5 years?

We don't like to think that far ahead. We prefer to stay focused on what we are doing here and now. That is where all the really important shit is going on.

Who would you like to tour with and why?

Queens of the Stone Age. I don't know, we just really like their stuff.

Do you have a special ritual that you guys do before you hit the stage?

Drink.

What is your fan base like?

Pretty diverse actually. I think people from all kinds scenes respond to our musicality, so we don't end up with just one type of fan.

Any thing you wish to ad?

Yeah, we appreciate all of our friends and fans that have shown us so much support and dedication to what we do. That is what makes all of this worthwhile.