Machines kill holiday blues

This was the second year in a row that Detroit's favorite sons, the Suicide Machines, played multiple dates at the same venue during the holiday season in their hometown. Last year, a three-show fiesta was held at the Magic Stick, and this year, festivities were taken to the larger St. Andrew's Hall for two consecutive nights.

The Dec. 28 show was, like the previous night, a sold-out event. While the Suicides had been at Clutch Cargo's earlier in 1997 (sometime in the early fall), kids, teens, college students and even some parents were all anxious for another dose of down-home goodness.

Suicide Machines slayed St. Andrew's.

After two opening acts and a momentum-killing racial slur by a drunk, the Suicide Machines took to the stage around 9:45 p.m., to the cheers and chants of the crowd. The boys launched into a set full of oldies (including selections from "Destruction by Definition") sprinkled with new songs that should surface on their second major-label release sometime during the year.

The new material ranged in tone from heavily hardcore-influenced to much more danceable and ska-influenced sounds - definitely a broader spectrum of sound than the "Destruction" album. For those who didn't make it to the show, the only way to hear this is their next release.

Speaking of records, both shows at St. Andrew's were taped for a live record that the Suicide Machines intend to release in this year along with their studio album. Look for some choice comments amidst the music, by bassist Royce Nunley.

Lead singer Jay Navarro told us all to ignore the drunk who stormed the stage earlier, and the evening continued as planned. Navarro also told the multi-generational crowd, at evening's end, to say good-bye to Derek (the drummer) as he's going to be leaving the band in the not-so-distant future. Wait a minute, didn't they say that at the Clutch Cargo's gig?

The group turned in a good, if not great, performance. Of all the shows I've seen them play, this was certainly one of the best. Their set was loud, tight, fast and enjoyable. And, as usual, anyone who wanted a chance to sing along got one.

01-12-98