On The Radar #108 Sweet Machine
SPREAD around Somerset, London and Hove, recently reformed electronica quartet Sweet Machine are playing a homecoming show of sorts next weekend.
Below vocalist and synth-player Darren Hogarth introduces the band.
“[Bassist] Rob Petherick is our man in Hove. He is actually the guy who got us back together and playing gigs again. Myself, Steve Shillito [drum machines] and Rob met in 1991 when they joined a band I was in at the time. We wrote original songs as well as performing a few covers. In 1995 our keyboard player and founding member left to go abroad so we recruited Richard Churchyard and renamed ourselves Sweet Machine.
“Rob left in 1999 and we decided to go more electro and dancey with a new line up and name The Deluxe. We stopped in 2006.
“We re-formed Sweet Machine a few years ago but retained the electro style. [Their Facebook page describes the sound as original danceable, electro pop songs with occasional forays into ‘out there electronic weirdness]. Our influences include Gary Numan, Human League, Depeche Mode, Roxy Music, Underworld, and general dance music.
“Our biggest gigs include the Harlequin Redhill, Half Moon Putney, Cheese and Grain Frome and the Glastonbury Finals in 2004 as The Deluxe. Unfortunately we didn't make it to the main stage, as back then they only chose a few bands to go through and we just missed out – gutted!
“We have recorded two albums which we sell through some local record stores and at gigs. We missed out on a record deal in 2000 and couldn't find another label to take on our first production [as The Deluxe] Electric Soup. We were probably too old for most labels by then! We have just recorded our second album 1979.
“Our plans are to continue playing as the ideas keep flowing and audiences enjoy hearing something different. We'd like to play more often in the Brighton area.”
Sweet Machine launch the 1979 album at The Brunswick, in Holland Road, Hove, on Saturday, March 12, from 8pm with a free show. Support from electronica pop beat band Lorenz Attraction.
Find out more:
sweetmachine.co.uk
www.facebook.com/sweetmachine.uk
twitter.com/sweetmachineuk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel