The Music Machine

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The Music Machine
The Music Machine in 1966
The Music Machine in 1966
Background information
Also known asThe Bonniwell Music Machine
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Years active1965–1969
Labels
Past members
Websitebonniwellmusicmachine.com

The Music Machine was an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1966. Fronted by chief songwriter and lead vocalist Sean Bonniwell, the band cultivated a characteristically dark and rebellious image reflected in an untamed musical approach. Sometimes it made use of distorted guitar lines and hallucinogenic organ parts, punctuated by Bonniwell's distinctively throaty vocals. Although they managed to attain national chart success only briefly with two singles, the Music Machine is today considered by many critics to be one of the groundbreaking acts of the 1960s. Their style is now recognized as a pioneering force in proto-punk; yet within a relatively short period of time, they began to employ more complex lyrical and instrumental arrangements that went beyond the typical garage band format.

In 1965, the band came together as a folk rock trio known as the Raggamuffins, before expanding to the quintet that was later rechristened the Music Machine. The group was known for their style of dress, clothing themselves in all-black attire. In 1966, the Music Machine was signed to Original Sound, and released its first single "Talk Talk" in the latter half of the year, with it reaching the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. Their debut album (Turn On) The Music Machine and the moderate hit "The People in Me" followed. The band's original lineup fragmented in late 1967 after managerial and financial disputes. Bonniwell reassembled the group under the name The Bonniwell Music Machine. In 1968, a second album, The Bonniwell Music Machine appeared, but the group disbanded in early 1969.

History

Beginnings (1965–1966)

The nucleus of the band was formed when

the GoldeBriars,[9][10] which featured later Sunshine Pop progenitor Curt Boettcher (whose career would intertwine with various members of the Music Machine in the late 1960s). With the GoldeBriars, Edgar contributed to their third album, which was slated for release on Epic Records, but the group disbanded before the album was issued.[9][10]

In 1965, the three formed their own folk rock group, the Raggamuffins, and began performing in Los Angeles with a repertoire that saw the band embrace a more unorthodox style, and depart from their traditional roots.[11][12] The group also recorded four songs that went unreleased until the 2000 album, Ignition, which represented the transitional phase before the band developed into the Music Machine.[11][12] Bonniwell and Olsen were enthusiastically experimenting with musical textures while the band arranged strict rehearsal regimens in Bonniwell's garage. The Raggamuffins purchased hardware for a homemade fuzz-tone switch. From the onset Bonniwell ensured the group resonated like no other by instructing his bandmates to lower their instruments from the standard E note to D-flat.[13] As a result of the adjustment, the Raggamuffins were given a bottom-heavy and ominous sound. In addition, the group began dressing noire, while sporting dyed-black hair, and the trademark single leather glove that presented an eye-catching and unified band image, which would later become influential with certain 1970s punk acts.[9][14]

Auditions were held in early 1966 to expand the group, resulting in the recruitment of Mark Landon (lead guitar) and

cover songs.[18] The band's sound was highlighted by the authoritative and versatile vocals provided by Bonniwell, with an energized technique and unusually good intonation in long-sustained passages, and the ability to breakdown phrases into a series of slow pulsations.[19] The Music Machine's artistic stance was also highlighted by Landon's wiry guitar playing, Olsen's reverberant bass, and Edgar's cymbal-punctuated drumming, which gave the band a harder-edged sound than many of their contemporaries.[20]

Commercial success (1966–1967)

Record producer Brian Ross just happened upon the Music Machine at Hollywood Legion Lanes, a

recording sessions concluded with the Music Machine requiring only three takes to complete the two songs. Though the band was satisfied with the acetate to "Come on In", the members were convinced "Talk Talk" would propel them into the national charts.[24]

"Talk Talk" was released on September 10, 1966, on Original Sound, and rose to number 15 on the

Question Mark and the Mysterians, and Clyde McPhatter.[16][21] It concluded with the group receiving a poor response in the American south, where the band were criticized for their black outfits.[21] Nonetheless, for the most part, their unified image served well for the Music Machine's national recognition, especially as the group made numerous appearances on the television programs Where the Action Is, American Bandstand, and Shindig!.[7]

After their long national tour, the Music Machine returned to the studio to record their debut album,

Hermosa Beach. He felt the tune's tempo was too fast, and he unsuccessfully attempted to persuade the Wayfarers to record a slower version. He revisited the concept with altered lyrics after hearing Tim Rose's regionally successful rendition in early 1966.[30] Bonniwell ascribes his throaty vocals, most evident on "Hey Joe", on recording "the Turn On album after a 30-day tour. Mark's fingers were literally bleeding. I could hardly even speak, much less sing".[16] Despite the album's shortcomings, (Turn On) The Music Machine reached number 75 on the Billboard 200.[25] On January 21, 1967, a song taken from the album, "The People in Me", was issued as the group's second single, but it stalled at number 66 nationally after the band's management angered radio executives for initially making the song exclusively available to a rival station.[31]

The Bonniwell Music Machine (1967–1969)

Immediately after (Turn On) The Music Machine was released, the band was booked for another U.S. tour; the group sought an appearance at the

bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100 at number 111.[25] The subsequent release, "Eagle Never Hunts the Fly" failed to chart, but was described as Bonniwell's tour de force—a tune Ross praised as a "sonically compelling work and a lot to listen to, for the time. It was the kind of thing you just didn’t hear, you almost worried about getting those sounds onto a 45".[33]

In May 1967, the original lineup recorded together for the final time, completing "Astrologically Incompatible", "Talk Me Down", and "The Day Today".

The Blue Marble (on which Boettcher had minimal involvement), and subsequently forged a successful career as a record producer in the 1970s.[37][38]

Undeterred, Bonniwell successfully negotiated his recording contract with Original Sound be transferred to

session musicians Ed Jones on bass guitar, Harry Garfield on organ, Alan Wisdom on lead guitar, and Jerry Harris on drums.[40]

In March 1967, Bonniwell and Ross ushered in the new lineup at United Western Recorders to record the second album The Bonniwell Music Machine.[40] The recording and mixing process was painstakingly masterminded almost solely by Bonniwell, who was appreciative of his new bandmates' efforts to develop the album's concept, but disillusioned by the project's lack of cohesion.[31] He further explains that the "Warner Brothers album has such an eclectic approach; each track is (was) a singular, studio invention. Not only was my songwriting divergent, but my approach to recording was exploratory as well".[7] Six of the album's tracks were holdovers from the first lineup's sessions at Cosimo Matassa's studio and RCA Studios.[13] This resulted in a hodgepodge of musical styles, including exploratory approaches toward psychedelia and soft rock.[41] On February 10, 1968, The Bonniwell Music Machine was released with little commercial success.[25] Consequently, the Bonniwell Music Machine was largely forgotten by the general public and the second lineup fragmented in July 1968.[40]

Disbandment and aftermath

One final version of the Bonniwell Music Machine was assembled with a revolving door of musicians. Two more singles were released on the Warner Bros. label with little notice, before "Advice and Consent", the group's final single, was distributed on

solo artist.[42] Under the name T.S. Bonniwell, he recorded the album Close, which saw a poetically-inclined Bonniwell explore string and orchestral arrangements.[43] Following the album's release, Bonniwell departed on what he called his "westernized guru era"—studying eastern mysticism and practicing meditation and vegetarianism.[32]

The band was all but forgotten after their dissolution, but the Music Machine and their music experienced a revival of interest in the late-1980s. It began with

box-set of Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968.[47]

In 2000, Bonniwell published his autobiography Beyond the Garage, which recalled his experiences with the Music Machine and his life after the group's disbandment.[48] A new version of the Bonniwell Music Machine in 2004 played to packed clubs on a European tour that included an appearance headlining one night of the Wild Weekend festival in Spain. Aside from this, a few live performances with the Larksmen, and a guest appearance on their 2006 album, Bonniwell never returned to an active music career, though he claimed to have penned over 300 songs after his tenure with the Music Machine.[49] On December 20, 2011, Bonniwell died of lung cancer at a medical center in Visalia, California; he was 71 years old.[50] Drummer Ronald "Ron" Edgar died on February 23, 2015, at the age of 68.[5] Bass guitarist Keith Olsen died on March 9, 2020, at age 74.

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

  • Talk Talk (1967)

Compilation albums

  • The Best of the Music Machine (1984)
  • The Music Machine (1994)
  • Beyond the Garage (1995)
  • Rock 'n' Roll Hits (1997)
  • Turn On: The Best of the Music Machine (1999)
  • Ignition (2000)
  • The Ultimate Turn On (2006)
  • Rarities, Vol. 1: Last Singles & Demos (2014)
  • Rarities, Vol. 2: Early Mixes & Rehearsals (2014)
  • Re-Ignition (2015)

Singles

As The Bonniwell Music Machine

  • "Bottom of the Soul" b/w "Astrologically Incompatible" (1967)
  • "Me, Myself and I" b/w "Soul Love" (1968)
  • "Tin Can Beach" b/w "Time Out for a Daydream" (1968)
  • "You'll Love Me Again" b/w "To the Light" (1968)
  • "Point of No Return" b/w "King Mixer" (1997)

Other

  • "Nothing's Too Good for My Car" b/w "So Long Ago" (1968, as the Friendly Torpedos)

References

  1. All Media Network
    . Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  2. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Liner notes to CD reissue of T.S. Bonniwell's Close". Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  3. ^ Bisbort, Alan; Puterbaugh, Parke (2000). Rhino's Psychedelic Trip. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 31.
  4. ^ Fricke, David (September 11, 1986). "The Music Machine: Where Are They Now?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Ronald (Ron) Edgar". Star Tribune. startribune.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  6. ^ "Ignition – The Music Machine". bonniwellmusicmachine.com. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  7. ^
    Breznikar, Klemen (July 8, 2011). "The Music Machine interview with Sean Bonniwell". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine. Archived
    from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  8. ^ Kirby, Michael. "The Music Machine Talk Talk". waybackattack.com. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c d "Music Machine (Ron Edgar, Keith Olsen)". minniepaulmusic.com. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  10. ^ a b "The GoldBriars". tiscali.co.uk. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  11. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "The Ragamuffins – Biography". allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  12. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "Ignition – Review". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  13. ^ a b Palao, Alec (2014), The Bonniwell Music Machine (CD booklet), Big Beat Records
  14. ^ Campbell, Marc (December 29, 2011). "Sean Bonniwell of The Music Machine R.I.P." Dangerous Minds. Dangerous Minds. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  15. ^ "Final Vinyl – The Millenium". thefinalvinyl.com. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  16. ^ a b c d e f Richie Unterberger. "Sean Bonniwell Interview". richieunterberger.com. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  17. ^ David Fricke (January 4, 2012). "The Dark Prince of Garage Rock: A Tribute to Sean Bonniwell of the Music Machine". Rolling Stone. rollingstone.com. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  18. ISBN 0879305347
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  19. ISBN 0252024273
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  20. ISBN 9780786425648
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  21. ^ a b c d Nordstrom, Monte. "Doug Rhodes & The Music Machine". montenordstrom.com. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  22. ISBN 978-0-9856482-5-1
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  23. ^ "Interview with organist Doug Rhodes – Part 1". craigmorrison.com. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  24. ^ Ross, Brian (1983), (Turn On) The Music Machine (sleeve notes), Big Beat Records
  25. ^ a b c d "The Bonniwell Music Machine: Bottom of the Soul". seanbonniwell.com. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
  26. ^ Palao, Alec (2006), The Ultimate Turn On (CD booklet), Big Beat Records
  27. ^ Protrudi, Rudy (1989). "The Psychedelic Summer of Love". L.A. Review. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  28. ^ "Turn On". bonniwellmusicmachine.com. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  29. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "The Ultimate Turn On – Review". allmusic.com. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
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  31. ^ a b c Hogg, Brian. "The Music Machine". The Psychedelic Experience. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  32. ^ a b c Unterberger, Richie. "Sean Bonniwell Interview – Part 2". richieunterberger.com. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  33. ^ a b c "The Music Machine – The Ultimate Turn On". acerecords.co.uk. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  34. ^ Petnick, Jason. "Biography by Jason Petnick". sonicpastmusic.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  35. ^ "Begin (LP)". sundazed.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  36. ^ "Curt Boettcher at Spectropop". spectropop.com. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  37. ^ "Magic Time Box Set". albumlinernotes.com. Retrieved November 3, 2015.[permanent dead link]
  38. ^ "Keith Olsen: Producer, Engineer, Classical Artist and Industry Advocate". melodicrock.com. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  39. ^ a b "the friendly torpedoes". unitedmutations.com. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  40. ^ a b c d Marchese, John (July 3, 2014). "Talk, Talk! Ace Revs Up "The Bonniwell Music Machine"". thesecondisc.com. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  41. ^ Palao, Alec. "Bonniwell Music Machine". acerecords.co.uk. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  42. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "T. S. Bonniwell – Biography". allmusic.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  43. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "LINER NOTES FOR T.S. BONNIWELL'S CLOSE". richieunterberger.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  44. ^ "Best of the Music Machine". bonniwellmusicmachine.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  45. ^ Ruhlmemn, William. "Turn On: The Very Best of the Music Machine – Review". allmusic.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  46. ^ "Beyond the Garage CD". sundazed.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  47. ^ Swanson, Dave. "Legendary 'Nuggets' Album Gets 40th Anniversary Reissue". ultimateclassicrock.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
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  49. ^ Woolsey, Jullian. "Sean Bonniwell of the Music Machine Passes Away". rockedition.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  50. ^ Nelson, Valerie (December 29, 2011). "Sean Bonniwell dies at 71; lead singer of the Music Machine". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  51. ISBN 978-0-89820-226-7
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  52. ^
    ISBN 978-0-89820-213-7
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  53. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - January 21, 1967" (PDF).
  54. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - April 18, 1967" (PDF).

External links

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