The Secret Machines Live at the Leadmill, Sheffield (13.2.09)
Often, many bands claim to be (or it is evident that they are) influenced by such luminaries as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, staples of British rock history. Secret Machines are one of these bands, and they manage to pull it off with finesse and true intent. Even though it was ‘one of those gigs,’ you know the type, where you feel you are one of three present in a room full of people who have actually listened to the band on several occasions before, it was an enthralling performance. Josh Garza battled away with his drumsticks throughout the show, producing a military stomp not dissimilar to something along the lines of ‘When the Levee Breaks’ (indie kids, borrow you dad’s copy of Led Zeppelin’s Four Symbols). Onto this, frontman Brandon Curtis and new guitarist Phil Karnats layered sublime melodies and the variable tempos for the different tracks maintained a continual chugging groove.
Although tracks from the band’s most recent eponymous record were received with lukewarm applause, the band let rip early with singles ‘Atomic Heels’ and indie hit ‘Lightning Blue Eyes’ to indicate their aggressive, much rawer live sound. At the end of the set, the untalkative lads launched into the rapidly played live staple ‘Now Here is Nowhere’ much to the agreement of the gathered crowd which had squeezed into the Steel Stage room. I myself was a little disappointed at the misrepresentation of the band’s third offering, Ten Silver Drops. However, when the encore came, the introductory tones of single ‘Alone, Jealous and Stoned’ washed over the crowd like a cool blast of relief.
I doubt the Texas band will return to New York feeling the performance was memorable, but it can’t be denied that Secret Machines put on a great live performance.
By Viraj Mohindra
