Phantom Lord: Deep Machine

NWOBHM legends Deep Machine, based in East London, England, started in 1979, and recorded a few demo tapes till 1984. They came back in 2009, having recorded the EPs Deep Machine and Whispers in the Black, and the cd Rise of the Machine, before splitting up, again, in 2015.

Q. - Hello Bob, tell us a bit about the origins of Deep Machine, how and when did it all start? How did you get in touch with the other members?

Bob - I formed Deep Machine in 1979 originally playing a mix of 50% metal/hard rock covers 50% original material, which I wrote. After the band had been in existence for about a year I recruited Dave Orton, Ricky Bruce, who I saw in a band in the Ruskin Arms, and John Wiggins who played in a band called Black Friday. We rehearsed a completely original set for around 2 months and then recruited singer Roger Marsden.

Q. - And how did the band name came up?

Bob - I was about to go to sleep thinking about the band name when I suddenly thought of a machine travelling deep in space. The name Deep Machine arose from there. (nothing to do with Machine Head by Deep Purple as some people thought).

Q. - Who were your major influences at that time?

Bob - Judas Priest then and now.

Q. - In the early days, did you start writing your own songs or were you most concentrated on covers?

Bob - Started writing my own songs.

Q. - Between 1980/83, Deep Machine recorded 4 excellent demos, with great reviews, did you try to get a record deal at that time?

Bob - Yes, with Raven Records with no success. It had to be self-funded and in those days money was very tight, with all the money going to put on the best live show we could.

Q. - What about shows? You had a strong local fan base following Deep Machine, Did you play regularly in UK back then?

Bob - Yes we played exclusively in the UK back then, packing out venues such as The Ruskin Arms and The Electric Stadium etc.

Q. - Did you get support in the media back then? Radio, magazines, fanzines?

Bob - Yes, Sounds, Kerrang, plus local newspapers etc.

Q. - Which other bands did you share the stage with during the early eighties? Was it headline shows?

Bob - We headlined all of our shows.

Q. - Do you think that maybe the line-up instabilities prevented Deep Machine to have had a stable career?

Bob - Yes definitely.

Q. - Did you stay in touch with each other’s all over the years?

Bob - Yes very much so. We are still in contact to this day.

Q. - Did you play in other bands after you leave Deep Machine?

Bob - No, although I did audition for Iron Maiden during the early Deep Machine days.

Q. - What made you feel like reunite Deep Machine again, back in 2009? Some kind of unfinished business?

Bob - Yes, I mainly wanted to record our old songs and breathe new life into them embracing modern recording technology and techniques. I also felt the urge to play live again.

Q. - "Rise of the Machine" came up in 2014, did you try to tour to promote it or is still hard for an heavy metal band to be booked nowadays?

Bob - We did several shows, mainly festivals around the UK, also including dates in Holland, Belgium and Germany.

Q. - Why didn't the single "Child Soldier" get released back in 2015, with Veronica Freeman on vocals?

Bob - We felt this song was not Deep Machine material, so decided not to release it.

Q. - Do you have plans for future Deep Machine editions? Perhaps compiling the old demo songs on a proper cd release? Or maybe new recordings?

Bob - Never say never. Watch this space!

Q. - What can you tell us about your audition for Iron Maiden back in 79, what do you recall from those times?

Bob - I auditioned for Iron Maiden at Hollywood Studios, London. There were around 30 or so guitar players lined up outside for the audition. Most got to play one song maximum, before being stopped. I played four songs which were Iron Maiden, Remember Tomorrow, Running Free and Wrathchild. After the audition the band seemed suitability impressed and asked if I was prepared to turn professional, to which I of course said "yes". I later found out that the choice was narrowed down to three guitarist, myself, another guy and Tony Parsons. Tony Parsons got the job.

Q. - Did you like Iron Maiden at that time, or still you do?

Bob - Yes I liked Iron Maiden at the time but always preferred Judas Priest which remains the same to this day.

Q. - Having you been a part of it, what do you think about all the N.W.O.B.H.M. movement, and the repercussion it had around the world?

Bob - I thought they were great times and I was very proud to be part of it. I consider the great bands around at that time like Angel Witch to use an example, laid the foundations for the metal of today.

Q. - In your opinion what are the main differences between the eighties and the reality of today?

Bob - I seriously think there were more talented musicians around in the eighties compared to the musicians in metal bands today.