Man As Machine

Man As Machine is an alternative rock band from Johannesburg, South Africa founded in 2008.[2] Their debut album Nothing But A Thing was released in 2011 and their follow-up album Patterns was released in 2015.[1][3][4] The band currently consists of bassist Xavier Knox, drummer KJ Forde, guitarist Norden Hartman, and singer Rob Visser.[1]

Man As Machine
OriginJohannesburg, South Africa[1]
GenresAlternative Rock[1]
Years active2008-present
MembersRob Visser
KJ Forde
Xavier Knox
Norden Hartman

History

Early history (2008-2010)

The band was founded in 2008 as a result of Telkom's failed Do Band Up competition, which had a format similar to that of Big Brother's except that all the contestants were musicians that were required to perform together.[2][5] During the two year period thereafter, they released an EP called What Makes A Man.[1][3]

Nothing But A Thing (2011)

In 2011, Man As Machine released their debut album Nothing But A Thing, which received generally positive reviews.[3][6] On 22 October 2012, the music video for Burnout was released.[7] On 14 July 2013, the music video for Control was released.[8] The band performed at RAMFest's 2013 and 2014 legs as well as Oppikoppi Odyssey in 2014.[9][10][11]

Patterns (2015)

On 5 August 2014, Man As Machine released a new music video for the song Force,[12] which alludes to Star Wars with lyrics mentioning Midichlorians as well as the Force.[13] On 14 September 2014, the band announced via their Facebook page that they were working on their second album.[14] It was confirmed in an interview that the new album would be slated for a 2015 release.[15] The album was released on 3 March 2015 with the title Patterns.[4] In a separate interview, the band hinted at heavy touring for the new album as well as possible dates in Australia or Europe.[16] It was announced that Man As Machine would perform as a support act for one of Dead Letter Circus' South African dates in November 2014.[17] Dave Grevler of Anti Motion Studios produced the album and Dead Letter Circus' guitarist Clint Vincent mastered it.[4]

Members

Rob Visser - Vocals and rhythm guitar
Xavier Knox - Bass guitar
KJ Forde - Drums
Norden Hartman - Lead guitar

Musical style

Man As Machine's music is often referred to as alternative rock, grunge, or hard rock.[1][2] Rob Visser's vocal technique and style is often compared to that of Chris Cornell's from Soundgarden and Audioslave fame.[3] Xavier Knox' bass playing has been likened to that of Rage Against the Machine's Tim Commerford.[18] Musically, the band has also been compared to Wolfmother and Alter Bridge.[19]

References
  1. "Man As Machine - South Africa's Next Big Rock Band". MusicReview. 4 July 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  2. "Monster Energy® | Man As Machine". Monsterenergy.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  3. "Review: Man As Machine - Nothing But A Thing". MusicReview.co.za. 7 December 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  4. "Man as Machine release "Patterns"". So Much Music. 3 March 2015. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  5. "Do band up - Music | Tonight". Iol.co.za. 17 December 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  6. "Man As Machine: Nothing But A Thing". Lovesamusic.co.za. 10 January 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  7. Kaj Roth (22 October 2012). "Palace of Rock: Man As Machine - Burnout". Palaceofrock.blogspot.com. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20141018091740/http://garycool.com/archives/12667. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. "RAMfest 2013: extremely loud and incredibly close". Perdeby.co.za. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  10. "Johannesburg 2014 Lineup". Ramfest. 22 February 1999. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  11. OppiKoppi Northam. "Upcoming Events Oppikoppi Odyssey". Mixed Apples. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  12. "Man As Machine Release 'Force'". Texx and the City. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  13. "Video: Man As Machine - Force". MusicReview. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  14. "Man As Machine - Mobile Uploads". Facebook. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  15. "ETM Chats To:. Man As Machine". Eurotrashmusic.co. 16 September 2014. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  16. "A few words with Man As Machine". Not Another Zebra. 17 September 2014. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  17. Reston, Grant (8 October 2014). "Dead Letter Circus return to South Africa". Mixed Apples. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  18. https://web.archive.org/web/20141017060120/http://www.car-life.co.za/music/man-as-machine-burnout-rocktober/. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. "Next Big Thing - Man As Machine". LW Mag. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
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