Fast Machine - Concert Archives

Hard Rock Cafe Universal City Walk (exterior - circa 2005)

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Show #01
Hard Rock Cafe - Universal City, CA
August 31, 2005

A Night to Remember!

There is only one first show. Technically, it is truly an historic event but unless the group is already a big name act or is signed to a major label who happens to be pushing the band "out of the gate" quite hard, why would the general music buying public care. Well to be truthful... they wouldn't. It is a date which, for most bands, will live in obscurity. ..But should the band begin to make a name for itself, people immediately want to look back, to try to find out where and when it all began. And suddenly, those that did care in those very early days (usually only family and friends) can boast, "I was there!"

For the upstart band with no label support, decent venue options are very limited. After all, music is a business and if you cannot get warm bodies into the seats (as the saying goes) then you will not find yourself under the lights at the Staples Arena. No... you'll have to settle for a strikingly less impressive local venue.

Hard Rock Cafe - Universal City Walk (interior - circa 2005)

Fast Machine's debut concert was at the Hard Rock Cafe Restaurant and Bar at Universal City Walk, CA (home of the Universal Studios Theme Park). Not a bad venue at all from which to launch the project. This was at a time when live music was still being offered there on a very small stage next to the dramatic central bar (pictured above). The show was short (only 30 minutes) but despite the cramped stage it went well, the sound was good and the reception warm. It also marked the first time Gary ever played guitar on stage and the first live show Gary and Richard had played together since 1984.

Gary Brandon, Tilford J. Jackson and Frank Galuppo jam at the Hard Rock Cafe
Show #01 - August 31, 2005

Show #01 Detail
Band Lineup
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Gary Brandon - Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals
Chris Cilibrasi - Bass Guitar
Richard Wright - Drums

HIRED MUSICIANS
Frank Galuppo - Lead Guitar
Nikki Olivia - Backing Vocals
Tilford J. Jackson - Synthesizer, Backing Vocals

Show Date: Thursday - August 31, 2005
Set Length: 6 songs (1/2 hour)
Set List: Angela, Suddenly, Still She Believes, Regular Guy, Sarahnede, Rose Coloured Glasses
Stage Time: 9:00 PM
Capture: [x] Still Photography [ ] Live Recording [ ] Video
Promoter: Cam of Jam Productions (Jaclyn Strong)
Venue Name/Location: Hard Rock Cafe, Universal City Walk, Universal City, CA USA
Venue Capacity: 500+ All Ages
Venue Purpose: Bar, Dining, Live Music, Private Parties