Man and Machines
Hello there... Where are you and how are you?
Ricki: Well currently I am hanging out in New Jersey at the moment today. I am doing great!
ANGI*: We're doing great! We just moved up to the Philadelphia area and I'm enjoying a new part of the county I've never been to. The culture for everything is great up around here.
If somebody should describe you in 5 words...what do you think would he/she say?
Ricki:
1. Stubborn 2. A Fighter 3. Quirky 4. Creative 5. Polite sometimes.... 6. Some people maybe various obscenities. : ) 7. Perfectionist 8. Social
ANGI*:
1. Aggressive- I have no fear of expressing my emotions to others and I try to figure out a way to get what I want, no matter what.
2. Sentimental- I'm very in tune with my emotions.
3. Nostalgic- I always like to experience things that bring me back to a feeling of innocence and happiness!
4. Domestic- I absolutely love cooking and doing crafts!
5. Perfectionist- I always feel like I have more to learn!
Tell us a little bit about the music scene in general in your country...
Ricki: Well the scene here is doing good for industrial music. We are fans of other music too such as Rock and Experimental music. We are planning to branch off into many genres for the next release.
ANGI*: I think musicians and djs say one thing, and everyone else says another. I don't want to be negative about it, it just seems like Industrial has a larger following and a deeper respect in other parts of the world. Maybe it isn't as understood in the States?
Man and Machines (pls tell us a bit about the band, band history, band members, influences, releases)...
Ricki: Man and Machines breakthrough was in 2006/2007 when we released our first official demo "Man and Machines" from then we released our full length "Analog Hearts Digital Minds" through DSBP in America and Dead Scarlet Records in Europe.
While playing many shows we gained a good bit of fans. We have moved to a new state for more territory to play in. The members currently are:
Ricki Gunz - Vocals, Music and Guitars
Angi Gunz - Vocals and Bass
Mike Twisted - Guitars
Also more members will be on our live shows for other purposes. As far as influences we as a band have many tastes. We like Rock, Industrial, Techno and Experimental. Recently we are getting influence from 70's hard rock and also metal. The new release will expose different layers of our influences.
Why did you chose "Man and Machines" as band name?
Ricki: Man and Machines exemplifies the fusion of Man and his relationship with machines. I figured it would be the most "industrial" name I could ever come up with ! *laughs*
ANGI*: Electronic music is quite simply "man" and "machine" coming together to create art. It seemed almost instantaneous that this name came to mind.
What were you hoping for when you started your music project and what was the reality?
Ricki: Well I wasn't hoping for instant success for that isn't what this business is about. What I did find out though was it was a lot harder than I expected. From doing shows, shedding blood, sweat and even being screwed over, I wouldn't trade the experience I gained for anything.
ANGI*: I was 16 when I started, so I honestly didn't expect much! As I grew up and started to realize the way things were in the world, I realized how much of a role I really could play. I could enlighten people with ideas, or make a song that people could escape their reality for 3 minutes and dance to.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Ricki: Fucking pain, love, hate.
ANGI*: Daily life. In any one person's life, there is sadness, anger, and happiness every day to experience. I like to read about darker subjects, and I watch a lot of documentaries and I read the news every day. If you simply look around, you have all the inspiration you need.
Are you getting support from your family and friends?
Ricki: Well my family has always supported my music endeavors and sad to say friends have came and gone but the ones that matter stick around.
ANGI*: If someone didn't support my dreams and goals, it would be impossible to have them in my life. If you love and care about someone,you will support them. My family has been amazing. My father is a musician, and my mother loves so many different kinds of music. They are very inspiring.
...support from the media (radio/magazines etc) in general?
Ricki: We have had amazing support recently and in the past with radio play and club play as well. We have numerous interviews for magazines and ezines over the years.
ANGI*: We've had a lot of amazing people play our music (Both Dj's at clubs and at Radio Stations) and really help us out. Magazines have helped out a lot too, since interviews give people another dimension to the music.
Where did you play your very first gig? If you could turn back the time would you change something?
Ricki: Well before the past success and sound of the current Man and Machines, our first show was in 2001 in Tallahassee. We opened for Mira on Project Records. At the time it was just me playing industrial/techno mixes. It was an amazing start and fueled my fire for more for the band.
You're working on new music right? Can you tell us a bit more about this please? ....
Ricki: The music we are working on is more powerful than anything we have ever created. Both me and Angi and Mike are playing real instruments, and will have a stage show to back up the viscous sound. Many of the songs are extremely heavy, some dancey and some very creepy. We are planning things carefully to come back strong to blow peoples minds.
ANGI*: We all listen to so many kinds of music, it would be impossible for us to make another record that sounded just like the last one. I think it should be a surprise, so I can't say too much, except the new album will be a lot of fun and unexpected, I'm sure!
What can we expect from Man And Machines in the next month?
Ricki: Well next month we will still be in the studio and also working with members to bring our monstrosity live once again. Expect a North American Tour as well as possible Europe.
A typical day in your life...
Ricki: Oh geessh, well besides going to the gym or sometimes playing games, watching horror movies, playing guitar, singing, playing keyboards, visiting museums, hiking, drinking wine, and I also like to explore old creepy places.
ANGI*: A typical day in my life is reading, going to the gym or for a bike ride, cooking, and playing music every single day.
The last 5 records you bought...
Ricki: Well with iTunes and Rhapsody I bought some records from Goblin, Alice Cooper, Skinny Puppy, Black Sabbath, Tangerine Dream, Faith no More, Pop Will Eat Itself, The Cars, Ozzy Osbourne and so many others.......
If you could chose a band where you would like to be the support band on their tour...which band would it be and why?
ANGI*: I would like to be the main act on my tour..is that wrong...? :)
Ricki: - I would like to be the main act on my tour..is that wrong...? :) Agreed......
What is the rudest celebrity you've ever met?
Ricki: Well I can't really answer that it could have been on a bad day. Every celebrity is human and of course makes since that they don't want to be bothered.
ANGI*: A lady never divulges that type of information!
A few words to our readers....
Ricki: To our fans, we appreciate all your support and you know who you are. We will be back to bring the best music we can and to rock and shock you live. We won't die.
ANGI*: Thank you to all of the fans who have supported us! We can't wait to give everyone some new tunes, and to put on a new amazing show for everyone!
