Secret Machines

Secret Machines

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	2000 (2000)
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Music albums, EPs, singles, live performances

Secret Machines is an American alternative rock group that originated in Dallas, Texas before relocating to New York City. The original members were brothers Brandon (handling vocals, bass, and keyboards) and Benjamin Curtis (guitar and backing vocals), along with drummer Josh Garza. Benjamin exited the band in March 2007 to dedicate himself to School of Seven Bells, with Phil Karnats stepping in as his replacement. Currently, the band consists of the duo Brandon Curtis and Josh Garza.

Formative period

Before forming Secret Machines, the members participated in various Dallas-based bands including UFOFU, Captain Audio, Comet, When Babies Eat Pennies, and Tripping Daisy. Captain Audio began as a noise duo with Garza and Regina Chellew in the late 1990s but gradually shifted towards a more conventional rock style with the addition of Brandon—and occasionally Benjamin—Curtis. Their discography includes the EP My Ears Are Ringing But My Heart's OK and the album Luxury Or Whether It Is Better To Be Loved Than Feared. After releasing Luxury, the band went on an indefinite break before ultimately disbanding as Garza and the Curtis brothers moved to New York, while Chellew stayed behind in Dallas to create Chao and later joined indie pop group The Happy Bullets.

September 000 and Now Here Is Nowhere

Within six weeks of their formation, the band recorded their EP September 000 in Chicago. After moving to New York City, they honed their musical style and secured a contract with Warner Brothers. Their debut album, Now Here Is Nowhere, was released in 2004 and included "Nowhere Again," a track featured in advertising campaigns as well as the 2006 video game Driver: Parallel Lines. The album was met with positive critical reception. On June 7, 2005, they followed up with a second EP titled The Road Leads Where It's Led. During this era, Secret Machines supported prominent bands such as Interpol on their 2004 tour, opened for Oasis during their 2005 European tour, and co-headlined a United States tour alongside Kings of Leon.

Marfa Mystery Lights: A concert for the UFO's

The band collaborated with French filmmaker Charles De Meaux on a project set in Marfa, Texas, which included footage from their recording sessions and an outdoor nocturnal performance. The unique track "Marfa Song" was exclusively released through this film.

Ten Silver Drops and Ben's exit

Their sophomore album, Ten Silver Drops, leaked online via file-sharing platforms in 2006 shortly after the lead single "Alone, Jealous and Stoned" debuted in the UK. The album garnered widespread critical praise. The band embarked on extensive touring, including opening for U2 during their Mexico shows. Around this time, they were interviewed by David Bowie, who was an admirer of their work.

On March 3, 2007, Benjamin Curtis announced his departure to concentrate on his new project, School of Seven Bells. He passed away from lymphoma in New York City on December 29, 2013, at the age of 35.

Third album and subsequent period

Following Ben's exit, Secret Machines held two performances in New York, primarily showcasing new tracks from their forthcoming album. The lineup expanded with the addition of Blasco—known for touring with Interpol—who contributed on guitar, keyboards, and bass, alongside former Tripping Daisy member Phil E. Karnats on guitar. Karnats officially took over guitar duties, filling the role left vacant by Ben.

Recording wrapped up swiftly by May 2007, leading to the release of their eponymous album in the United States on October 14, 2008. This was issued through their own label TSM and distributed by Worlds Fair Records. Karnats confirmed his participation both in the studio recordings and live performances via updates on his MySpace blog.

In 2010, the band released a digital single featuring "Like I Can" and "A Terrible Light," while Brandon announced intentions to produce a new album entitled The Moth, The Lizard and The Secret Machines. Despite these plans, the group entered a period of inactivity following that year.

Run Out Groove Records, a division of Warner Brothers, reissued Now Here is Nowhere on vinyl in 2016—the first U.S. pressing—limited to 1,625 copies. On September 10, 2018, fan votes led to Ten Silver Drops being selected as the next re-release by ROG, which included a bonus disc containing six tracks of B-sides and unreleased material. Shortly thereafter, Run Out Groove announced a double live album capturing a January 18, 2006 performance at The Garage in London.

Resurgence in 2020

In January 2018, Brandon Curtis posted a studio session video featuring drummer Josh Garza, igniting rumors about the band's revival. On June 26, 2020, The Secret Machines declared the upcoming release of Awake in the Brain Chamber both digitally and as a limited vinyl edition (500 copies) through TSM Recordings, set for August 21. Media coverage highlighted the band's extended hiatus and subsequent resurgence. Simultaneously, they unveiled the single "Talos' Corpse." The album showcases contributions from Brandon Curtis and Josh Garza along with performances by Benjamin Curtis, Chris Kyle, Brian Bisordi, and Sarah Pedinotti (known for her work with Okkervil River and LipTalk). Mixing was handled by Claudius Mittendorfer and mastering by Joe Lambert; Danny Scales created the original artwork.

In interviews surrounding this release, the band confirmed intentions to finally issue their previously shelved 2010 project, The Moth, The Lizard and the Secret Machines.

July 2022 saw The Secret Machines digitally and on cassette release two companion EPs: Day 21, which contains unreleased songs, and Dreaming of Dreaming, a reimagined version of their 2008 EP featuring alternate takes with Peter Mavrogeorgis on guitar and Jim Sclavunos on percussion.

In September 2022 it was announced that The Secret Machines would accompany Metric on their U.S. dates during the Doomscroller tour. Phil Karnats rejoined as guitarist for this tour.

Style

Secret Machines are often described as progressive rock artists influenced by krautrock, while they themselves classify their sound as space rock. They also have ties to shoegaze. Their album Ten Silver Drops demonstrates inspirations drawn from artists like Brian Eno and The Beatles, combining experimental textures with melodic songwriting.

The band has supported prominent acts such as U2, Foo Fighters, Spiritualized, Oasis, Interpol, M83, and Kings of Leon. Notably, they opened for British rock trio Muse at London's Earls Court in 2004 and appeared at major festivals including Lollapalooza 2006, Carling Reading and Leeds Festivals, as well as Austin City Limits. In 2022 they were announced as support for Metric during the U.S. segment of the Doomscroller tour.

Present lineup

• Brandon Curtis – vocals, bass guitar, keyboards
• Josh Garza – drums
• Phil Karnats – guitar (2007–2010, 2022–current)

Past members

• Benjamin Curtis – guitar, backing vocals (2000–2007; deceased 2013)

Studio albums

• Now Here Is Nowhere (May 18, 2004), released by Reprise
• Ten Silver Drops (April 25, 2006), Reprise – reached UK No. 43 and US No. 159
• Secret Machines (October 14, 2008), World's Fair Label Group & TSM Recordings – peaked at US Heatseekers No. 12
• Live at the Garage (limited edition vinyl) (July 12, 2019), Reprise
• Awake in the Brain Chamber (August 21, 2020), TSM Recordings
• The Moth, the Lizard, and the Secret Machines (March 24, 2023), TSM Recordings

Extended plays

• September 000 (2002)
• The Road Leads Where It's Led (2005)
• Live At Austin City Limits Music Festival 2006 (iTunes Exclusive EP) (2006)
• Morning Becomes Eclectic (Live At KCRW) (2006)
• Dreaming of Dreaming (2008)
• Allaire Sessions (2019)
• Day 21 (2022)
• Dreaming of Dreaming (2022)

Singles

• "What Used To Be French (Revisit)" (7" vinyl only) (2003) UK release
• "Nowhere Again" (2004), UK chart position No. 49
• "Sad And Lonely" (2004), reached UK No. 38
• "The Road Leads Where It's Led" (2005), UK No. 56
• "Alone, Jealous & Stoned" (12" vinyl only) (2006), charted at No. 93
• "Lightning Blue Eyes" (2006), UK No. 57
• "All At Once (It's Not Important)" (2006), UK No. 76
• "Dreaming of Dreaming" (2008)
• "Like I Can B/W Terrible Light" (2010)
• "Quisiera Ser Alcohol (Nos Vamos Juntos: Un Tributo a Caifanes y Jaguares)" (2010), Mexico

DVD

• Marfa Mystery Lights – The Secret Machines – A Concert for the UFO's (a performance created and filmed by Charles de Meaux) (2007), Les presses du réel

Soundtrack contributions

For the 2007 movie Across the Universe, the band provided three songs: a rendition of "I Am the Walrus" performed as a duet featuring Bono, along with instrumental versions of "Flying" and "Blue Jay Way".