IN THE CITY // Before Machines
Local band Before Machines are just back from tour, with the promise of new material in the works. They are of the indie rock genre, but with pop punk and post rock influences. They've got brilliant energy, both in music and on stage. With off setting, but interesting drum beats, combined with sing-shouty vocals, a hint of synth and a lot of sweat these boys deliver. I'd thought it'd be fun to do a little Q&A with Dan Larkin//drums// and Andy Melville//vocals+guitar// as they've become part of Redeemer in the last couple of months.
I wish I could say I sat down with them, but really I sent them a facebook message with a list of questions, some serious some fun. Dan out of politeness said if I had any other questions to ask away. I took advantage of his kindness and asked a few more. To quote Andy “If I contradict Larkin, in terms of band specific things, then go with me, kinda like the koran… what comes last supersedes, rather than contradicts what came last” Talented AND funny!
Here goes…
Leah:
How long has Before Machines been a band?
Dan
About 2 and a half years.
Andy explains
3 years (since first jam as a 3 piece) 1.5 years since Chris //guitar, synth, tones, vocals // joined
Leah
What does Before Machines even mean?
Dan
I do not know…. ask Andy Smelville
Andy
Before Machines is a comment on; the futility of even bothering to comprehend time-travel.
Leah
I don’t know if I’m completely satisfied with that answer…..you’re back from tour! How was it? Use only describing words!
Dan
Tiring, exciting, busy, sleepy, humus, outrageous, colossal, pleasant, encouraging and nutella.
Leah
Favorite road trip snack. It’s important to stay fuelled when you’re doing some serious rocking out night after night.
Dan
Mixed root veg crisps were somewhat of a luxury.
Andy
I counted myself outside the root veg crisps loop. I delighted in the foxes fudge cream biscuits.
Leah
You guys are so hardcore! BM are playing this friday at Auntie Annie’s Animal Disco, how fun! Are you pumped? //in Canada pumped means excited…I know it means something else here..//
Andy
We’ve been asked down to play before, and it’s taken until now for it to come about. It’s a privilege to play were some of Irelands best up and coming bands have been performing.
Dan
We are really pumped to play animal disco. Just that were the only band playing so the people that come are there for us…. So hopefully people will come.
Leah
Here’s a real question….3 of you are Christians, does that have any affect on your music, does it come into play in Before Machines. Have you also noticed that the music scene in Belfast is secretly dominated by Christians in bands and do you have any thoughts on that?
Dan
Yes. I can’t talk for lyrical content as any covers that, most of it is cryptic but when deciphered there is definitely Christian content. Our image (not looks) and how people perceive us is very important. We try to do what we can either to help out other bands or just little things to try and show we are different. I wouldn’t say secretly dominated but there are a lot of great Christian bands on the scene at the minute along with the other great secular bands. As a Christian myself I feel music can be one of the easiest ways and most rewarding way to put across your feelings and relationship with Jesus, for Christians there is so much more material to write about other than a girl which helps matters.
Andy
Before Machines are a secular band. 3 of us or Christians and 1 isn’t. I’m happy that Before Machines isn’t a Christians only club. We would not create the same music or have the same friendships that we do currently, if were, and we have a great balance in the band. As the lyricist of the band, being a Christian has a huge effect on my what I sing about because I sing about what is relevant and true in my life. I draw on experiences in my life when it comes to writing songs; things, thoughts and themes that will often be experienced by everybody and anybody, but then also from the perspective of how being a Christian effects that.
Being Christians in a band in a secular scene; you have the same mandate as Christians involved in any other walk of life but I suppose the pressures can often be different. I wouldn’t say that the scene is dominated by Christians, but it’s great to see so many Christians involved. We are to, graciously look out for our brothers and sisters, and it’s comforting to know I have many nearby to look out for me.
Leah
Alright, favorite albums of 2010!
Dan
beach house-teen dream
foals-total life forever
the national- high violet
interpol- interpol
sleigh bells- treats
Andy
there is only one ‘fav’ album and thats les savy ‘fav’ - root to ruin :p (oh the purest wit)
+ minus the bear - omni
Leah
Andy is musically stunted….dude, I’m going to have to make you a mixed cd, you’ve missed out on a lot of sweet music in 2010….
does Andy write most of the lyrics?
Andy
Dan wrote the lyrics for ‘Even Swords’ which is a secret play on ‘Seven Words’ (the amount of words in the song). the switch came about after me and Larkin watched a chinese film called Seven Swords.
Dan
Andy writes all the songs bar 1 which is my master piece, the song consists of 7 words. Its not something we have an issue with as we create the music together and he brings the lyrics in after the song is made.
Leah
COFFEE VS TEA
Dan
Coffee is the devils vomit.. tea all the way
Andy
I let the decision be made for me, whatever most others are having. I like both, they are different drinks with different merits.
Leah
And lastly, when is the new album set to release? Give me some insight…
Andy
Album will be released by the end of the year. Plans to have it demoed before the summer. We have a lot of core songs that we want to add to in the coming months. Once we demo them, we can start to piece the album together and add and subtract were necessary. We aim to have a coherent work (not just a collection of songs) that will capture and portray our current sound.
Dan
Its very very early days, were still writing the new material for the album with a hope to begin recording in the Autumn I think.
Well there you have it friends. I think we’ve learned a little about Andy and Dan of Before Machines. You can catch them this Friday, live at Auntie Annie’s in the Attic. They go on at midnight! Come down and support them and hear some sweet tunes.
IN THE CITY is a weekly article written by
Leah Gallant that looks at city life, culture,
music and events in Belfast.
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Tags: Belfast, IN THE CITY, Music
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Caption: Before Machines
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