On this week 25 years ago The Machine did our first show ever. It was at Cheers in Nyack. We stuffed our own cars with gear and were ready to play. At the time we played 75% Pink Floyd, the rest was Talking Heads, INXS, ZZ Top, and the Grateful Dead. The crowd loved us right from the start. Nobody had heard Pink Floyd live in a long time, especially in a bar. The was no genre called Tribute Band yet. Great things would soon follow. We were immediately picked up by a local agent who booked us at The Chance Theatre in Pougkeepsie NY (where we will play this Sat Nov 30.) He also got us into Providence, RI for our first road trip. We were never the same after playing The Living Room. It was a magical time in our lives. We had to call each and every club on a land line phone and write down the directions to get there. Cell phones did not exsist, personal computers with printers were not as ubiquitous as they are today. There was no Google or Map Quest. But still, we managed to get there, usually on time. The Machine has seen many line up and personnel changes over the years. With each change we always kept to our mission statement. That was to keep the spirt & integrity of Pink Floyd music alive but with a freshness and energy all our own. 2013 saw the most dramatic change in The Machine when our captain Joe Pascarell left the band. We replaced him with the soulful singing of Adam Minkoff. 16 year veteran bass player Ryan Ball elegantly took over the lead guitar role. This change ended up spreading the love across our stage. There is no longer one focal point in The Machine, everyone is getting in on the action. Scott Chasolen has taken more lead vocal parts and Tahrah is shining in a way that we havent seen over the years. I would like to mention all the members of the band that have helped create what we are today. First and foremost (and special tip of the hat to) Joe Pasacarell, who for 24 years paved a new dents in Rt 95 with the tireless touring that went on for years. Joe was a force that couldnt be stopped. His talents and passion forged The Machine into what we are today. Thank you Joe!! Kudos to; Neil Alexander, Wes Nagy, Marc Zimmerman, Adam Price,& Sarah Gardner. Jim Boknosky, Howard Rose, Chis Greco & Randy Taber have brought their technical prowess into The Machine at various points. We owe them a special thanks. And of course our current crew who works their buns off, Dean Mattson, Sharif Mekaway, Ben Kelly & Chris Bargy. Michele Zayla, Nina Setaro & Norbert Stachel have also joined us on many shows all over the world. Skyline Music, Crossover Touring, Michael Gaiman & Flashgroup Concerts have proudly represented us. Barney Killpatrick helped create our Symphonic program and manages The Machine. The brilliant and gorgeous arrangements of Maxim Moston shine in our symphonic performances of Dark Side of The Moon. Michelle Roche & Molly Mauch have handled the print publicity of The Machine, we thank them too. Winfred Ferrklien deserves special mention as he brought us to Europe many times. Ronnie Moas took us to the Middle East. I cant remember the other promoters names that took us to Asia & Central America. Still waiting on Australia!! This list could go on and on, but well stop here. The most important thank you is saved for last. You! the fans who have watched us grow, change and flourish over the past 25 years. We always make a special mention to all of you at every show. We appreciate the effort you make to come and see us no matter where we are playing. Because of your support we have been able to do this for 25 years. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 19:15:37 +0000
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