The Music Machine – Talk Talk – Craig Marlatt – The Other Place – 1966
This feature is not part of my 100 drummers. Though I did see and hear this band in 1966.
What inspired me create this post is the Youtube video, I found of this group playing their hit, Talk Talk. They’re lip syncing, but the drumming is right on.
In 1966, this was a super rebellious sound.
The Music Machine was a California band. The drummer is Ron Edgar 1946-2015. The lead singer is Sean Bonniwell 1940-2011.
Ron Edgar’s drum part, playing Rogers drums is a classic. The fills are rhythmically and melodically unlike anything in 1966. The high hat open and closed part, is great. He plays along to the recording on this video. Most drummers on those early television shows were always just messing around, mugging for the camera. The Music Machine kills in this video.
This video is exactly what they looked and sounded like when I saw and heard them in 1966. (The black outfits and gloves) They were early psychedelic punk. Their sound reminds me of the group, Love.
Again, this drumtrack is unusual. The four on the floor bass drum. Instead of the boom boom bop, bass drum, snare drum with consistent eighth notes on the high hat or ride cymbal. (The rims shots are killer) I also love the distorted guitar/bass …. This was new in 1966.
The concert I saw The Music Machine took place on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I don’t remember the name of the teen club. This was the only time I went there. It may have been called The Other Place.
The building was a converted A-Frame business. I drove myself there in my Mom’s, 1965 Ford. There was an opening band.
For my local Orlando, Central Florida subscribers, the venue was in the Goldenrod area. Forsyth or Goldenrod Road ?
There was a very sparse audience, not many teenagers in attendance. An interesting event. The Music Machine was a unusual band. I don’t remember any of their material, except Talk Talk.
As a weird side note. I have a long time friend with a Substack column. Craig Marlatt…His column is called, The Good Samaritan.
We’ve known each other since the early 70s. Craig is also a musician, but we never knew each other “In the 60s” Though we know the same people, played the same clubs. Share similar experiences. (It was the 60s)
One telephone conversation) Talking about those bands and gigs from the 60s, I mentioned, The Music Machine gig. He was there in 1966.
We were probably standing a few feet from each other.
(Just hanging out, dreaming about being musicians and playing music, making our mental plans to, capture the world)
It’s a very big, but small universe we live in.