My Sister's Machine
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington , United States |
| Products | Music albums |
My Sister's Machine was a grunge group originating from Seattle, Washington, established in 1989. The lineup consisted of Nick Pollock on vocals and guitar, Owen Wright handling guitar duties, Chris Ivanovich on bass, and Chris Gohde playing drums.
The band produced two studio albums: Diva released in 1992, followed by Wallflower in 1993. They parted ways in 1994 but reunited in 2010 to headline the Layne Staley Tribute and Benefit Concert, partly due to Pollock’s previous involvement as a guitarist in Alice N' Chains, an early formation of Alice in Chains that included Layne Staley.
Early Years (1984–1989)
Prior to forming My Sister's Machine, guitarist Owen Wright and drummer Chris Gohde were members of the band Mistrust in 1984, which featured Jeff L'Heureux, formerly of Culprit, on vocals. Mistrust released a single album titled Spin the World, which was later issued on CD by Heart of Steel Records in 2009. The group toured extensively before disbanding in 1988.
At the same time, Nick Pollock was a guitarist for the glam metal outfit Alice N' Chains, a precursor to Alice in Chains that also included Layne Staley. This band recorded two demo tapes and performed around Seattle for roughly one year before amicably dissolving in 1987.
Formation, Releases, and Disbandment (1989–1994)
Following the dissolution of their previous projects, Pollock teamed up with Wright and Gohde to form My Sister's Machine, bringing in bassist Chris Ivanovich. Pollock assumed the role of lead vocalist by default and took charge of writing most of the lyrics.
In 1991, the band earned the "Best New Group" award from the Northwest Music Association. Although major record labels showed interest, they ultimately signed with Caroline Records, an independent label.
Their debut album Diva, released in 1992, garnered positive reviews. Steve Kurutz from AllMusic awarded it four and a half stars, describing it as "a surprisingly strong record." Mike Boehm of the Los Angeles Times highlighted its faster tempo and more melodic approach compared to peers such as Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. Conversely, Jim Washburn from the same publication critiqued their live shows as less impressive.
Lonn Friend, editor of a prominent heavy metal magazine, championed Diva, featuring My Sister's Machine on MTV's Headbangers Ball and visibly supporting them on air by wearing their merchandise. The band embarked on extensive tours with acts like Pantera and White Zombie, performing across both the United States and Europe while promoting their single "I'm Sorry."
In 1993, My Sister's Machine signed with Chameleon Records, a subsidiary of Elektra Entertainment, through which they released Wallflower and toured alongside King's X. Shortly thereafter, Elektra disbanded Chameleon Records, dropping all associated artists and leaving Wallflower without promotional support. This development contributed to the band's decision to split up in 1994.
Activities After Disbandment (1994–present)
Following the breakup of My Sister's Machine, Nick Pollock fronted bands such as Tanks of Zen and Soulbender, the latter featuring longtime Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton. Meanwhile, Owen Wright continued his career with Old Lady Litterbug on guitar, and Chris Gohde played drums for Hot Rod Lunatics as well as Call for the Priest, a tribute group dedicated to Judas Priest.
Reunion (2010–present)
The Layne Staley Fund revealed on June 4, 2010, that My Sister's Machine would come together again to perform at the Layne Staley Tribute event scheduled for August 21. Since then, the band has maintained an active presence in live performances throughout the 2010s.
Legacy
In 2017, Metal Injection placed My Sister's Machine at number six in its compilation of the "10 Heaviest Grunge Bands."
Members
- Nick Pollock – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Owen Wright – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Chris Ivanovich – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Chris Gohde – drums
Albums
- Diva (1992)
- Wallflower (1993)
Singles
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | "I Hate You" | Diva |
| 1993 | "Enemy" | Wallflower |
B-side
| Year | B-side | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Bring You Down" | Nick Pollock | B-side track to "Enemy" |