Music Machine, The

Band members               Related acts

- Sean Bonniwell - vocals, rhythm guitar (1965-67)
- Ron Edgar - drums, percussion (1965-67)
- Mark Landon - guitar (1965-67)
- Keith Olsen - vocals, bass (1965-67)
- Doug Rhodes - vocals, keyboards (1965-67)

 

 - The Bonniwell Music Machine
- Sean Bonniwell (solo efforts)
- The Friendly Torpedos (Sean Bonniwell)
- Millennium (Ron Edgar, Keith Olsen and Doug Rhodes)
- Sagittarius (Ron Edgar, Keith Olsen and Doug Rhodes)

 

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Turn On the Music Machine

Company: Original Sound

Catalog: LPM 5015

Year: 1967

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: slight age discoloration; couple of pops; mono pressing

Available: 1

Price: $40.00

 

 

 With a background in folk music, including a brief stint with The Wayfarers, the mid-'60s found singer/guitarist Sean Bonniwell working with Goldebriars drummer Ron Edgar and guitarist Keith Olsen as a member of The Raggamuffins. Tired of folk, Bonniwell became The Goldrebriars' tour manager, following the band when they moved from Charleston, South Carolina to Los Angles. Deciding to return to performing Bonniwell convinced Edgar and Olsen to form a rock band. Olsen quickly recruited guitarist Mark Landon and keyboard player Doug Rhodes for the band.

As The Music Machine the band opted for a simple gimmick - black; head to toe (they even died their hair). Working parties, local clubs, literally any job they could get, their break came when producer Brian Ross caught them playing at an L.A. bowling alley. Quickly signed by the small Original Sound label, 1966's "Turn On the Music Machine" served to showcase Bonniwell's gruff vocals on a mixture of garage-rock originals and popular covers. Suitably dark and energetic, the combination of Bonniwell's angst-filled voice and Rhodes Farfisa organ was occasionally almost scary. While Bonniwell-penned material such as the hit "Talk Talk", "Trouble" and "Masculine Intuition" were impressive, covers such as The Beatles' "Tax Mab" and The Leaves' "Hey Joe" added nothing to the originals. Propelled by the top-40 hit and extensive touring, the parent album hit #76.

"Turn On the Music Machine" track listing:
1.) Talk Talk (Sean Bonniwell) - 1:56
2.) Trouble (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:11
3.) Cherry, Cherry (Neil Diamond) - 3:12
4.) Taxman (George Harrison) - 2:33
5.) Some Other Drum (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:29
6.) Masculine Intuition (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:08
7.) People in Me (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:53
8.) See See Rider (Rainy) - 2:29
9.) Wrong (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:16
10.) 96 Tears (Martinez) -2:17
11.) Come on In (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:54
12.) Hey Joe (Roberts) - 4:12

Unfortunately, in the process of recording a follow-up, personal and musical difference erupted; the band calling it quits. 

More than willing to exploit the band's popularity, Warner Brothers released a sophomore effort as Bonniwell Music Machine (see separate entry). Bonniwell released a solo effort for Capitol, while Edgar, Olsen and Rhodes reappeared in Curt Boettcher's Millienium and Sagittarius projects (see separate entries).

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