Fast Machine - Concert Archives

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Show #05
The Mint - Los Angeles, CA
July 26, 2008

dé jà vu

It had been almost two years since the band had taken the stage. This was fully intentional since Gary was committed to being a doting husband and father. He had put everything on hold so he could provide full support to his wife Sandy, and their new son Zachary, who was born late September 2006. As Zach grew out of his infancy, things slowly began to get easier for the couple, and with his wife's blessing, Gary eagerly returned to the task of rebuilding Fast Machine.

Zach just itching to get his little hands on that guitar!

Gary Brandon abusing his new Schecter C1+

Indeed, there was quite a bit of patching up to do. Shortly after their last show, drummer Nick Hollister, rhythm guitarist Pete Freeman and backing vocalist Louise Fonte all declined further employment with the band for their own personal reasons.

It was dé jà vu... only this time no shows were booked, so Gary could take his time and rebuild the project with care. The band's short but difficult concert history had provided important lessons that Gary would use to make some significant changes for 2008 and beyond.

First, something had to be done to reduce the revolving door of musicians moving in and out of the group. This causes inconsistency on-stage and hampers band camaraderie. One way to accomplish this is to take on more tasks yourself. So for the first time ever, Gary would play electric guitar, rather than acoustic, on stage.

Additionally, Gary planned to play keyboards (the instrument he is most proficient on) live in the future. But this change would not be instituted for the upcoming show as he had his hands full, quite literally, struggling with his new guitar duties.

The positive net effect of this change would mean that there would be one less guitarist and one less keyboardist to hire in the future. And that would leave only two more permanent band positions to fill... drums and lead guitar.

So finding a great drummer was the next order of business. Thankfully Gary's longtime friend and former band mate, Gus Moratinos, came back into the picture at just the right moment. Gus had actually been a member of Fast Machine back in 2002 when the band had kept themselves locked in an old office building in Newhall, CA, working up songs and recording their initial 2 song CD single (Suddenly/Do or Die - GTB 2002). At that time, so early in the band's history, they were unable to find a suitable lead guitarist and thus never played live before Gus left the group amicably, yet admittedly, out of frustration.

Gus Moratinos (photo date and location unknown)

Gary promised Gus that this time things would be different and that they would book a show right away if he were to join up. He also explained that the project was ready to move into a new phase of growth. The original moody rock sound was going to be abandoned in favor of something heavier and a bit more modern at times, yet still deeply rooted in the rock genre. Gus liked the ideas he heard and agreed to rejoin the group. Gary fulfilled his promise to Gus shortly thereafter when he booked a 10:30 PM, Saturday night slot, back at The Mint in Los Angeles (venue for show #04).

With the original cadre of the group now back together and their "return" show booked, Gary set his sights on filling the remaining positions for the show. He phoned gunslinger Frank Galuppo, whom he had hired for shows #01 and #02. Frank agreed to hire on for the show and his wife, Teri, would also sing background vocals. Additionally, Teri brought in her friend, vocalist Tami Frost, to give the band an extra harmony. And just like that, the rest of the lineup (for this show at least) was finalized.

The choir!... (pictured left to right) Tami Frost, Teri Gunnell and Gary Brandon.
The Mint - July 26, 2008

The band headed back into rehearsals in Burbank, CA about 2 months before the show. Gary had a handful of new songs for them to work up and he was excited that this incarnation of the band was quickly proving to be the best yet.

The big night finally came and the band hit the stage running. The group sounded better than ever and despite a few tuning problems for Gary with his new guitar (no surprise there), the show was a resounding success. The band received many positive comments on the new material and the new lineup. They would head into the studio during the following months to demo up some of those songs. The time had come to take bigger steps and see where those steps might lead them.

(L to R) Tami Frost, Teri Gunnell, Gus Moratinos, Gary Brandon, Chris Cilibrasi, Frank Galuppo
The Mint - July 26, 2008