Bang Bang Machine were an indie band from Evesham, Worcestershire in England. They formed in 1989 and split up in 1996 after record company troubles. After 17 years they re-released their back catalogue on iTunes in 2013.[1][2]

Bang Bang Machine
OriginEvesham, Worcestershire, England
GenresAlternative rock, Indie rock
Years active1989–1996
LabelsUltimate Recording Company
Past membersSteve Eagles
Elizabeth Freeth
Stan Lee
Lamp

In January 1992 the band recorded a Peel Session for broadcast on BBC Radio 1.[3] Their track "Geek Love" topped John Peel's Festive 50 in 1992, with Peel stating "even if they never made another record, they’ll have achieved more than most of us do in our entire lives".[4][5][6]

Following the success of their "Geek Love" debut, the band were "steamrollered" by major labels, until in 1994 they released their debut album, Eternal Happiness, on Ultimate. A review within the CMJ New Music Report described the album as "lush, defiant, giddy, sometimes ethereal, sometimes bubblegum-gooey, sometimes pop-snappy". Album track "16 Years", called a "turbulent 1992 indie classic" by The Guardian critic Dave Simpson, was about the Stefan Kiszko case where an innocent man was jailed for a crime he did not commit.[7][8]

Band personnel

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  • Steve Eagles: Guitar
  • Elizabeth Freeth: Vocals
  • Stan Lee: Bass
  • Lamp: Drums

Discography

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Albums

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  • (1994) Eternal Happiness[7]
  • (1995) Amphibian[9]

Singles

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  • "The Geek" EP (500 promo copies)
  • "Geek Love" EP
  • "Evil Circus" EP
  • "Technologica" EP
  • "Geek Love Remixes" EP
  • "Give You Anything"
  • "Godstar" (Given away free at gigs)
  • "Breathless" (#96 UK singles chart, #10 UK Ind)[10][11]
  • "Love It Bleeds"
  • "Show Me Your Pain"

Music Videos

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  • "Aim for the heart Ramon".
  • "Geek Love" Directed by Andy Lee.
  • "Lovely Lily" Directed by Rob Crabtree.
  • "Technologica" Directed by Rob Crabtree.
  • "Give you anything" Directed by Kinofist Productions.
  • "Breathless" Directed by Mark Nunnely.
  • "Show Me Your Pain".

References

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  1. ^ Joynson, Vernon (2023). Discover UK Shoegaze and Dream Pop. Borderline. pp. 23–26. ISBN 9781899855254.
  2. ^ Yates, Kate (1 June 2007). "WORCESTERSHIRE: Baby is our priority now, not re-forming cult 90s rock band". Worcester News.
  3. ^ "BBC - Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 28/01/1992 Bang Bang Machine". BBC. 28 January 1992. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  4. ^ Marszalek, Julian (18 June 2018). "Sink Ya Teeth — Sink Ya Teeth". The Quietus.
  5. ^ "BBC - Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - Festive 50s - 1992". BBC. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Bang Bang hits the tops; Festive 50". The Times. 2 January 1993. Gale A116019794.
  7. ^ a b Aston, Martin (15 August 1994). "BANG BANG MACHINE Eternal Happiness" (PDF). CMJ. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  8. ^ "The F&M playlist". The Guardian. 10 November 2006.
  9. ^ "Bang Bang Machine: Amphibian (Review)". Visions (in German). 30 November 1999.
  10. ^ "BANG BANG MACHINE songs and albums". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  11. ^ "UK Music News" (PDF). Hard Report. 5 May 1995.
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