#27: The Suicide Machines

Just because I don't look like you or act like doesn't make me any better or worse

Next up is the first "major player" in my mind, The Suicide Machines

Wiki Says: The Suicide Machines were an American punk rock band formed in March 1991 in Detroit, Michigan and disbanded in May of 2006. During the course of their career the band released six full-length albums on the labels Hollywood Records and Side One Dummy Records. Though they experienced several lineup changes over the years, founding members Jason Navarro and Dan Lukacinsky remained regular fixtures. The band's musical style initially blended elements of punk rock, ska, and hardcore into a genre popularly known as ska punk or "ska-core," which characterized their first two albums. During the middle of their career they shifted gears, moving away from this sound and producing two albums with a heavy pop rock influence. Their final two albums moved back towards their mid-1990s style, bringing back heavy ska punk and hardcore elements.

Despite being signed to a major record label for their first four albums, The Suicide Machines did not experience significant mainstream success. However, they did achieve a relatively high level of underground recognition through relentless touring, including multiple performances on the Warped Tour. This trend continued when the band moved to an independent label for their last four years, before their breakup brought an abrupt end to the band's career.

Discovery: Destruction By Definition (1996)**Favorite Album All Time #2

Battle Hymns (1998)

The Suicide Machines (2000)

Steal This Record (2001)

A Match and Some Gasoline (2003)

War Profiteering is Killing Us All (2005)

Other Releases: Skank For Brains - Split with The Rudiments (1996)

On the Eve of Destruction 1991-1995 (2006)

Before You Were Punk 2 (1999)

Favorite Songs: 10. Your Silence

9. Break the Glass

8. Black and White World

7. Islands

6. Punk Out

5. Face Values

4. New Girl

3. Too Much (Favorite Song All Time #34)

2. Someone (Favorite Song All Time #18)

1. Hey Ska! (# 8)

Years Active: 1991-2006

Never Seen Live (unfortunately)

The Suicide Machines, originally known as Jack Kevorkian and the Suicide Machines, put out a debut album so good it has never left the second CD slot on my car. You might recognize "New Girl" from "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater". It is the perfect mix of punk, ska, and hardcore. The follow up does the same, then two albums the band themselves aren't proud of. Then a return to glory with two final more hardcore albums. They are towards the top of my list of bands I wish I saw live.

Up next: Punk rock sophistication