New Machines

Hailing from Loveland, OH, New Machines are led by main man Eric Bair, and they have released three albums since 1999. However, this release is their first in 15 years. Not only that, but it's the first time they've allowed someone outside the band to produce them: Brian Nupp. The single is called Four, but don't let that confuse you; there are only 2 songs. Fight Party starts with a big chord like Ziggy Stardust, but then jagged guitars kick in like a Television track, but with vocals more like Johnathon Richman (though not in the nasal sense) than Tom Verlaine. It's a quirky, indie song, sounding like it's coming from the kitchen or the bathroom at a college party, not the main room, and all the better for it. It has a post-punk 80's vibe too, with a nice sax solo. It definitely gets into your head after a few listens.

You're In Atlanta opens with a cool drum and bass line. It reminds me a bit of Joe Jackson, with its slightly world-weary city groove. It's like a road trip: driving around thinking melancholic thoughts, feeling like a loser, wanting his lover back from Atlanta. It's the loneliness of the indie rocker on a long night of songwriting. Personally, I prefer You're In Atlanta to Fight Party, though the latter is definitely more of a single. Well worth checking out. - Louder Than War -Mark Ray

I’ve said for a long time that the only differences between punk and jazz are precision and intent. Each is a valid musically revolutionary genre, freely breaking rules without thought of consequence. Jazz is a precise attack, where as punk is its more reckless brother. The philosophy of the New Machines doesn’t differ much from mine. A hybrid of ‘70s-style punk and jazz fusion, with a pop music icing, this near-ten year old band grew out of Toledo and quickly spread to making regional appearances from Kentucky to Chicago. The band’s music has been distributed internationally and received airplay across the United States and Eastern Europe since 2000. Recently, New Machines’ single “Metropolis,” from its 2005 Welcome to Metropolis album, was featured on the soundtrack for last year’s PBS TV series Roadtrip Nation, along with the likes of indie rockers Of Montreal. The New Machines play their first local show in a while this weekend with the eccentric, quirky Pink Floyd tribute band, Polka Floyd.
- Ryan Bunch - Toledo City paper

New Machines take a new approach to punk rock, complimenting the often simplified genre with saxophones. Formed in Toledo in 1998 by Eric Bair and Sam Krall, the band has seen widespread success, undoubtedly due to their unusual use of three chord progressions mixed with jazzy horns. Influenced by a variety of genres, New Machines sound has elements of '70s punk, '80s rock, along with blues, bebop, and jazz. Despite the distance between its members, New Machines keep swinging away, and they never miss a beat.
- Emily Rippe March 2010 - Toledo City Paper

The singer has his 80s handbook out because he really is in tune with the sound of that period. But don’t take as an insult or a jab at not being fresh because they are fresher and more original than most everyone out there. I’d venture to guess that they alone have hoisted the Toledo, OH music scene upon their shoulders, if not then the scenesters there are stupid. They’ve actually played with a couple of my favorite indie bands—Hilltop Distillery and Silo the Husky. Their songs consist of jazzy saxophone, quirky guitar riffs, and smooth bass while the drums keep time. The result is an emetic polar opposite of jazz-inspired city folk-rock that knows how to groove and discuss the possibilities of the glass being “half-full”.
J-Sin

- Smother.net

"The group is refreshingly open-ended but never unwieldy or excessivley meandering, drawn back to it's core by Eric Bair's unique songwriting...The group's solid rhythm section is incredibly adaptable and their versitility provides a backbone more musical than most time keepers...a truly original band that operates in its own creative universe, devoid of trend-hopping and blatant homage to their influences."
-Mike Breen - Cincinnati City Beat 2006

New Machines is a force to be reckoned with and so is Eric Bair as a solo artist. - Gary Allen - drummer for Charlie Daniels Band and J.J. Cale

Three years ago I dubbed their last album an "Editor's Pick" due to their great groove and intriguing jazz moments. "Welcome to Metropolis" is in the same vein with folksy rock tunes and jazzy brass elements. Vocally the band is just a cosmonaut without a space program-inspirational and one of a kind yet without the proper production and promotional dollars to garner this band the attention they so deserve. Also I love that the saxophone part on the introduction track "Outta my Skin" seems almost like it was pulled straight from "The Family Feud" theme song. Awesome.

- J. Sin - Smother.net

"Great, intricate melodies that you can still pump your fist to" - Toledo City Paper

The American band New Machines showed on this 26-minute long CD what it means not to be a genre slave. Here the sound is based on guitar alternative rock from the first half of the '80s mixed with a calm atmosphere which dominates the album. 8 songs were recorded in a home studio on only 4 channels. So considering all of that - the sound and production are great! - Branko Rogosic - Rock Express

The New Machines debut album provides a slightly uneven set of songs, but as each track is dissected for its individual merit, you realize that songwriter Eric Blair is onto something that's comforting in its familiarity, yet completely original as well. Sugar-soaked 1960s British pop lends itself to "I Love My Machine," while the swirling space of "Enigmatic" sees guitar experimentation reach new peaks as classical lines interject with psychedelic colors. As for Blair's music bed for the song "Anesthetize Me," it would have fit nicely along with one of the other country-flavored forays on the Beatles' Let It Be. Saxophonist Sam Krall is even given space to pen the frantically paced "Blah, Blah, Blah," which seems to pay homage to new wave artists Devo. Although the songs may not fit together that well stylistically, this album should not be overlooked for its creative spirit.
-Steven Howell - All Music Guide

Like Morphine meets The Hives, New Machines blend fuzzy, melodic guitars with sax-heavy grooves for a funky new brand of rock 'n soul. The charm and originality of a classic rock band back when it was just plain rock music. - Toledo City Paper

The New Machines hail from Ohio and their new album, Welcome to Metropolis, features a jazzy, laid-back rock vibe that’s fun and hip. Sam Krall’s saxophone playing is an integral part of their sound and the band might remind listeners of Morphine, though New Machines’ music is also laden with guitar parts that really get rhythmic and rocking, jamming at times, but always with the proper restraint.

The album’s production is decent, if flat and somewhat across the map, as a few of the tracks was recorded live.  The album’s opener, “Outta My Skin,” is a quirky styling reminiscent of something David Byrne might write.  Many of the other tunes are a bit eclectic, but also catchy, such as “Little Girl, Big Head.”

Favorite Track: Track 10, “Pillhead”



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- Online Rock (2006)