The Secret Machines Loses a Brother
Guitarist Benjamin Curtis of the ridiculously fluffed trio The Secret Machines is calling it quits. According to his brother Brandon on the band’s message board, “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.”
On the bright side for fans out there, TSM is beginning to work on a third album.
For all the Secret Machines fanboys out there, it’s time to go through the five stages of grief (even though the band will live on). And maybe it’s also time to throw out some patently ridiculous analogies like this one from the board:
“I’m bummed. No lie. This sucks. Hopefully the music will still be amazing. Pink Floyd lost Roger Waters so anything is possible. here’s to the future of our favorite band.”
Anything is possible. I mean, it’s entirely possible that TSM will one day randomly end up in the same sentence with Pink Floyd like that again.
I don’t feel the loss that much. Only, never again will I get the chance to be completely underwhelmed by the original band that people built up way too much. Never again will I be able to walk out of a supposedly awesome show and say “Ehh. Wanna just get some pizza?” Never again will I be able to stand at a show wondering which eighth grader out there could fill in for the drummer.
- Click here to listen to The Secret Machines on MySpace
- Click here to listen to School of Seven Bells on MySpace
Slade Sohmer
In 2006 Slade Sohmer founded Hidden Track along with current EiC Scott Bernstein. Slade ran the site until 2008, establishing a scope of coverage and level of professionalism that still exists today. In 2010 Sohmer founded HyperVocal with Lee Brenner and the "purveyors of the vital and viral" have gone on to create a network of highly acclaimed sites that includes Headlines That Suck, Weeping Elvis, Distriction and Spike The Water Cooler.
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That PF quote made me throw up in my mouth a little bit. I like Secret Machines alright.. But honestly, the person who wrote that comment has fluffed himself retarded.
The Secret Machines weren’t really playing music for you. If you’re more concerned with 8th graders and their drumming chops, you’re missing it dude.
For those of us that really like them, their show was absolutely mezmerizing.
By the way, if you think you’re never going to be underwhelmed by another band, may I suggest removing your head from your ass?
Ha, now that’s the kind of vitriol I was expecting! Where were you yesterday? I was lookin’ for a good fight and nobody stepped up…
In all seriousness, can you clarify what you mean by “The Secret Machines weren’t really playing music for you”?
Why weren’t they playing music for me? I don’t qualify as a patron of the arts? I saw 60 shows last year across ALL genre of music, and I was more excited about seeing this band than many many others (based on great recommendations from trusted friends). I happened to walk out thinking it was mediocre at best, as did my friend who often disagrees with me and DESPISES most bands I listen to.
But why does my opinion get discounted here? Because I like jambands best? I’m genuinely curious.
Your opinion didn’t get discounted, all I said is they’re not playing for you.
I’m saying they play music for people who like it. If you don’t like it, they’re not really playing for you. If you want to get all technical, yes, they’re playing for whomever is standing in the audience.
My point is that if you’re not a fan, they’re not for you. And if you’re a music snob who has to compare skill levels of players, then in my opinion you’re missing the point.
Congrats on seeing 60 shows. I had no idea you liked jambands, and furthermore I don’t give a shit.
I think your “news entry” generally sucked. That’s why I wrote in.
Alright ladies, break it up. ;)
I will say this Acer: I saw every In The Round show (as their tour mgr) and I can see how you reached the opinion you did about the Irving Show. At that point (first day of the tour – or maybe 2nd, I can’t remember which one you were at) we (band & crew) were all just kinda amazed that we fit all that shit in the room. But I wish you could have seen the Warsaw shows. To me, they were the two best nights of the run, and the Girl From the North Country (my request) from 11.4 was one of my favorite musical moments of ’06. Totally mesmerizing.
Parenthetically yours,
MiH77
[...] tour of their own. A funny thing happened though amongst all the praise, guitarist Benjamin Curtis left the band leaving his brother Matt and drummer Josh Garza to figure out if and how they would continue as a [...]