THE BURNING MACHINE

A band who alongside Korn, have helped to break metal out of the undergound, Machine Head have come a long way since their formation 7 years ago. The band have just put out a new album which has been gathering a pretty good vibe from those fortunate enough to hear it & the band are gearing up for a hefty touring schedule to support the new album.

I recently had the chance to talk to Machine Head guitarist Ahrue Luster, phoning from the US where it was late at night. We spoke about the album & what the band have planned to follow this album.

One of the obvious questions to ask a band like Machine Head is how they view things like MTV & mainstream radio.

"We really don't view them at all. I've never really taken any notice of what any of the mainstream media have had to say seriously at all & I don't think the rest of the band do either. It's great when they'll support bands like ours or Korn or others like us, but if they don't, it's not the end of the world you know. MTV is a great example. In the beginning they were like totally into music video & that was it, but now it's like talk shows or cartoons & other things, not what it was supposed to be originally. They've just launched another video channel which is supposed to be more like MTV was when it started out, but it's not much different at all."

With the MTV people apparently not winning any fans among a lot of bands in the US, I turned the conversation towards the online world & asked whether the Internet had assisted the band.

"I'd honestly have to say that the Internet hasn't really helped the band in a profile sense. We were already a 'global' band for want of a better word, before the Internet became really popular. What it has done is let a lot of our fans find out information about the band or to talk to us in the online chats. I suppose in that sense, the Internet has let fans get a bit closer."

I mentioned how good this album had turned out & asked what the band had planned as far as a next album was concerned.

"There isn't any next album yet. We're concentrating purely on getting this one out. I think there's a lot to be said for taking your time getting the album right before you set it loose. From what our label have been telling us, everyone who's heard it so far, which is mainly the media, are really hyped about it, so hopefully that means there'll be some good press coverage, but it's really the fans we try the hardest for, because without the fans, there's really no band at all. You know what I mean? What's the point of going out to play live shows if no one's going to see you play."

Lastly, I asked about the band's touring plans & what the band enjoyed about touring.

"That's a hard question, but without a doubt, the biggest buzz I get personally is when we get out on stage & we start playing. That's really what it's all about. I think I can say that it's much the same for the rest of the band but I also like getting into the studio. One of the things about getting into the studio is that you then try & get your songs to sound as much as possible live as they do when you hear them on the record. I think we're now heading out for a couple of years of touring on the back of this record. I don't really know what the next album will sound like, but you can bet it'll sound like a Machine Head record & that's the way we like it.

Check out Machine Head's new album The Burning Red out through Roadrunner.