Expat band's album offers 12 songs in 12 minutes
Members of Machines / Courtesy of Punkie Punk
By Jon Dunbar
Machines, an expat punk band based in Seoul, celebrate their first CD release this Saturday.
Although the band mates hail from three very distant places ― Iran, Ireland and the U.S. ― all three moved to Seoul from Daegu.
”The Daegu invasion is in full effect!” said Michael Travers, guitarist. “I moved to Seoul because I wanted a change and to see more shows.”
“Daegu was great!” said Paul Johnson, drummer. “I saw. I conquered. And now I live in Seoul ― which is far too big, makes feel like I’m trapped in a cage, but it has a great music scene and way more Mexican food.”
“Seoul is definitely a cage,” said Ali Safavi, bassist. “I’ve regretted moving to Seoul for most of this year, and the song, Seoul Will Have Its Revenge, is about that.”
Back in Daegu, all three played at some time or another for punk band Food for Worms. Safavi also performed in November on Earth and started the bands Colours, Mountains and Visuals, which reveals a distinct band-naming methodology.
“After the first two it became a thing and if I ever start a band I want it to have that kinda name,” Safavi said. “I like consistency in small ways like that.”
“It’s his calling card,” Travers said. “Before I knew Ali was in Visuals I saw the band on a lineup and guessed he had something to do with it.”
“It’s a little weird, but it’s clean.” Johnson said.
“I’m gonna put that on my CV,” Safavi retorted.
They almost named the band Animals, before others told them the name was already taken.
The three members of Machines fit together neatly on stage and in mp3, finding common ground between their respective influences of punk, metal and math rock.
“The Machines sound came from us all wanting to just play fast short songs,” Travers said.
“In the first practice we decided our songs should be one minute-ish,” Safavi said. “For me this was a restraint tactic and direct opposite to Visuals who are more technical and sprawling song wise.”
“And I’d like to say to anyone who is reading this article,” Johnson added, “I’ll see you in the comments section, where I will defend myself, this band, my religion, and Korean punk with brutal, devastating force.”
The release show starts at 9 p.m. at Club Steel Face near Hongik University and costs 10,000 won. Opening acts include Octopoulpe, Heynam Sin X Patients, Full Garage and Jina Kim from Billy Carter. Visit facebook.com/machinessk for more.