Machinations

Machinations was a popular Sydney-based outfit working the mid-1980s independent Australian music scene.^[1] Notable national hits included "Pressure Sway", "My Heart's On Fire" and "No Say In It". They also achieve indie prominence with the two versions of their first single, "Average Inadequacy". Machinations failed to achieve as much commercial success, either at home or abroad, as many of their peers. Nevertheless, the band had a cult following in dance clubs, by far their strongest supporters.^[2]

Biography

The band formed around Tim Doyle and Tony Starr^[3], who started writing together around the end of 1979, using what electronic instruments they could find. Their school friend Fred Loneragan joined as singer^[3][4] and they played their first show at Garibaldi's in Darlinghurst, Sydney in early 1980. Another school friend, Nero (Nick) Swan, soon joined on bass.^[3]

In late 1980, with the assistance of radio Triple J, the band recorded some songs at Trafalgar Studios in November 1980, the band entered the studio with producer Lobby Loyde.^[4] These recordings resulted in the band's debut single, "Average Inadequacy"/"Arabia" (September, 1981), and the four-track debut self-titled EP (December, 1981), both released on the independent Phantom Records label.^[1]

"Average Inadequacy" created enough interest for Mushroom's White Label to sign the band^[4] and reissue the single with a new B-side, "Machinations of Dance" in March, 1982.^[1] A year later, Machinations issued a new single, "Jack"/"Be Double" in February, 1983. This was followed by "Pressure Sway"/"Pushbike" in June, 1983. "Pressure Sway" became the band's first national mainstream charting single when it peaked at #21 during July, 1983.^[5] "Pressure Sway" also made an impact in the United States reaching #40 on Billboard's Club Play Singles chart.^[4][6] In April, 1983 Machinations released their debut album, Esteeem, which peaked at #54 on the Australian album charts.^[5] The third single from the album was, "Jumping the Gap"/"Terminal Wharf", released in October, 1983.

Following the album's release, and an Australian tour support slot with Joe Jackson^[4], Machinations added Warren McLean on drums^[3], prior to that the band used a drum machine (a Roland CR-78). The band entered Rhinoceros Studios with English producer Julian Mendelshon, emerging with the smoothest and most fully realised album of its career^[1][4], Big Music in July, 1985.^[1] The album produced four hit singles. The first of these, "No Say in It"/"Man Overboard" pre-empted the album by nine months (it was released in September, 1984) and ended up being the band’s highest charting single, peaking at #14 in October, 1984.^[5] The second single, "My Heart's on Fire"/"Spark" followed in May, 1985, it reached #27 in June, 1985.^[5] The third single, "You Got Me Going Again"/"I Ain't Waiting for No Train" was released in August, 1985, making #39^[5], however the fourth single, "Execution of Love"/"Dusted Down", released in December, 1985 failed to chart. Naomi Star sang backing vocals on most of the album^[4], although Inez Anthony was featured on "No Say in It".^[1] The album peaked at #20 on the national album charts, spending several weeks at that position.^[5] It was also released in the United States on the A&M label.^[2]

In 1985 Machinations performed the three national hit songs for the Oz for Africa concert (part of the global Live Aid program). It was broadcast in Australia (on both Seven Network and Nine Network) and on MTV in the US.^[7]

In 1986, White Label issued the mini-album The Big Beat, a collection of dance remixes of singles like "No Say in It", "Execution of Love", "Pressure Sway" and "You Got Me Going Again", which reached #83 on the charts.^[5] That year, Warren McLean left Machinations to join Melbourne funk-pop outfit I'm Talking.^[3] Henry Downes took his place on drums. Downes was then replaced by John MacKay (ex-Sea Monsters) in early 1987.^[3] The band was back in the studios soon after with American producer Andy Wallace (Prince, Run DMC), recording a new album.^[1]

Machinations' third album, Uptown was released in October, 1988 and produced four singles spread out over eighteen months. The first single, "Do to You"/"Looking Out for You", was released in August, 1987 and almost matched the highpoint of "No Say In It", reaching #15 in October, 1987.^[5] The second single, "Intimacy"/"Hit by a Missile" (May 1988), reached #44^[5], the third, "Do It to Me"/"Normal" (October, 1988), peaked at #69^[5] and the fourth, "Cars and Planes"/"Beats and Planes" (February, 1989) failed to chart. The album was well received upon its release and reached #46 on the national album charts.^[5]

By that stage, Machinations had established themselves as a popular band on the Australian touring circuit.^[4] Unfortunately, the band's activities were curtailed in early 1989 when a hit-and-run accident left Loneragan unconscious and with a broken back.^[1] He spent several months recuperating in hospital. Initially other band members intended to continue writing new material whilst Loneragan recovered from his injuries^[4], but over time the various members left to pursue other projects. Swan toured with the James Freud's band and with MacKay performed with Absent Friends.^[3]

In early 1997, Machinations with Loneragan reconvened for some live appearances^[2], which they hoped would lead to new recordings however these plans never came to frution.^[1]

In September, 2006 US label, Almacantar Records reissued the band's original 1981 EP, with one additional track, "Average Inadequacy".^[8]

Members

• Tim Doyle - guitar (1980–1989, 1997)
• Henri Downes - drums (1982–1983)
• Fred Loneragan - vocals (1980–1989, 1997)
• John Mackay - drums (1987–1989)
• Warren McLean - drums (1983–1986)
• Tony Starr - keyboards (1980–1989, 1997)
• Nick (Nero) Swan - bass (1980–1989, 1997)

The band used several different female backing vocalists on their various releases and tours.

Discography

Albums/EPs

Singles

Some of the early singles were produced by Lobby Loyde.

• "Average Inadequacy"/"Arabia" 7" - Phantom PH-12, (26 August, 1981) — released after the 12"EP despite earlier catalogue number
• "Average Inadequacy"/"Machinations of Dance" 7" - White Label K-8581 (March, 1982) — different recording to 1981 single — AUS #98
• "Jack"/"Be Double" 7" - White Label K-8928 (February, 1983)
• "Pressure Sway"/"Pushbike" 7" - White Label K-9074 (June, 1983) — AUS #21
• "Pressure Sway"/"Pressure Sway"/"Pushbike" 12" X-12026 (1983) — New Zealand 12" same tracks, cat# X-14030
• "Jumping The Gap"/"Terminal Wharf" 7" - White Label K-9219 (October, 1983)
• "Jumping The Gap"/"Jumping The Gap II"/"Average Inadequacy" (American Mix) 12" X-13128 (1983)
• "No Say In It"/"Man Over Board" 7" - White Label K-9489 (September, 1984) — AUS #14
• "No Say In It" 12" X-13169 (1984)
• "My Heart's On Fire"/"Spark" 7" K-9672 (May, 1985)
• "My Heart's On Fire" 12" X-14176 (1985) — AUS #27
• "You Got Me Going Again"/"I Ain't Waitin' For No Train" 7" - White Label K-9784, 12" X-13219 (August, 1985) — AUS #39
• "Execution Of Love"/"Dusted Down" 7", 12" X-14263 (December, 1985)
• "Do To You"/"Looking Out For You" 7" - White Label K-364 (August, 1987) — AUS #15
• "Do To You" (The Pee Wee Cut)/"Done"/"Looking Out For You" 12" X-14506 (1987)
• "Do To You" (Fresh Berry Mix) 12" X-14530 (1987)
• "Intimacy"/"Hit By A Missile" 7" K-548 (May, 1988) — AUS #44
• "Intimacy"/"Hit By A Missile" 12" X-14601 (1988)
• "Do It To Me"/"Normal" 7" K-621 /12" (October, 1988) — AUS #69
• "Cars and Planes" 7" (February, 1989)
• "Cars and Planes"/"Beats and Planes"/"Cars and Planes" (Live)" 12" X-13358 (1989)

Compilations

• Fast Forward cassette magazine FF008/009, Dec 1981 - "Terminal Wharf"
• Paths of Pain to Jewels of Glory LP, Phantom PHANTOM-100, 1983 - "Average Inadequacy" (first 7" recording)
• Inner City Sound 2×CD, Laughing Outlaw LORICS-001, 2005 - "Average Inadequacy" (first 7" recording)
• Tales from the Australian Underground 2×CD, Feel Presents FEEL-005, 2006 - "Arabia"

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Machinations'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1864487682. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Sutton, Michael. "Machinations biography". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hpfixqt5ldse~T1. Retrieved 2009-01-09. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Machinations discography". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/m/machinations.html. Retrieved 2008-01-09. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} "Big Music from Machinations". RetroUniverse. 2008-06-04. http://rqsretrouniverse.blogspot.com/2008/06/big-music-from-machinations.html. Retrieved 2009-01-09. 
5. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0646119176.  NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.
6. ^ "Billboard singles charts". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=MACHINATIONS&sql=11:hpfixqt5ldse~T5. Retrieved 2009-01-08. 
7. ^ ""Oz for Africa"". liveaid.free.fr. http://liveaid.free.fr/pages/ozforafrika-uk.html. Retrieved 2008-03-12. 
8. ^ "Machinations". Almacantar Records. 2006-09-21. http://www.almacantarrecords.com/product_info.php?cPath=47&products_id=78. Retrieved 2009-01-09. 

External links

• Machinations MySpace
• Machinations (Australian Rock Database)