After a few late night studio sessions, Ivan and Stevens realized they had something special. They soon began assembling the musical ensemble that would help make their vision become to reality.
The two visionaries did not have to look far to find Chris “Crispy” Binns of Motograter to handle the precision drumming requirements for the project. Being a seasoned veteran, Crispy brings an infectious drive to the material along with an impeccable meter.
Soon after, the band enlisted, Brett “Wingnut” Davis to take on the electronics, programming and keyboards. Wingnut was a natural choice and immediate fit with his prior experience, musical sense and his use of cutting edge technology.
The final addition was Mike “Mikey” McLaughlin on bass and bass synth detail. Along with his unique use of effects on bass, Mikey also brought his years of touring and business sense to help round out the project.
The band recently completed its first self-titled CD, which was engineered and co-produced by Pete Murray (Lo-Pro/Ultraspank).
“This is the most positive musical experience I have ever been a part of,” says Ivan. ”There is so much excitement about what we are creating. I can’t wait for everyone else to hear this…”
While being influenced by sounds of NINE INCH NAILS, THE CURE, PINK FLOYD, ALICE IN CHAINS, TOOL and MINISTRY, Ghost Machine has managed to paint its own portrait of an electronic emotionally rich landscape while still capturing the edge and raw energy that is heavy rock.
Rock In Roll
Ghost Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bare witness, to the shittiest show, on earth
American Idols lip sinking zero's
Kids watching MTV looking for hero's
N'sync versus Backstreet
Britney verses Ashley
Axel rose and Michael Jacksons' nose
And,
I don't think I've ever cared
I don't think I ever will
Who the fuck will spread a stare
And who the fuck are you
Even if you erased everything
And covered up the stains
I'd still be the one here
Questioning if anythings arranged
Hey kid's rock and roll
Shake hands with the devil and sell your soul
Hey kids ask me why
Everybodies gotta die
Bush buys his voters
Free love is over
Anna Nicoles' lost weight off her shoulders
Cell phones with belltones
Hootie and Manson
'Puffy's' now 'Diddy' and 'Lopez' hates 'Affleck'
I don't think I want to know
I don't really fucking care
Take the rumors and the lies
And shove them up your ass
Even if you erased everything and covered up the stains
Hey kid's rock and roll
Shake hands with the devil and sell your soul
Hey kid's ask them why everybodies gotta die
Hey kid's rock and roll
Shake hands with the devil and sell your soul
Hey kid's ask them why everybodies gotta die
Ladies and Gents
Direct your attention please
To the center ring
And behold
The 13th wonder of the world
The three headed jelly spine
Of the nation, we call life
Breaking news, the savior is coming
Everybody run from what you are becoming
Hey kid's rock and roll
Shake hands with the devil and sell your soul
Hey kid's ask them why everybodies gotta die
Hey kid's rock and roll
Shake hands with the devil and sell your soul
Hey kid's ask them why everybodies gotta die
In this song, Ghost Machine is expressing their distaste for the music industry and popular culture. They derisively refer to American Idol contestants as "lip sinking zero's" and call out the obsession with celebrity feuds between N'sync and Backstreet, Britney Spears and Ashley Simpson, and even reference the infamous physical appearance changes of Axel Rose and Michael Jackson. The lyrics are a scathing critique of the shallow and superficial aspects of modern culture, and how it has been embraced by the younger generation. Despite the apparent apathy the band feels towards popular culture, there is still a feeling of unease or uncertainty, expressed through questioning whether anything is truly arranged and why everyone has to die.
The song highlights how the cultural landscape has become convoluted and absurd, with pop icons being renamed ('Puffy's' now 'Diddy' and 'Lopez' hates 'Affleck') and celebrity deaths being heavily publicized. Ghost Machine is essentially criticizing the toxic effects of popular culture as it has shifted away from the appreciation of talented musicians and towards idolizing celebrities, many of whom may not even have a musically talented bone in their body. The band sees through the facade of the industry and the forced narratives created around certain performers to appeal to the mass market. The lines "shake hands with the devil and sell your soul" reflects this sentiment, calling upon young people to be wary of the seductive influences of popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Come one, come all
Everybody is welcome
Bare witness, to the shittiest show, on earth
Observe the terrible state of modern entertainment
American Idols lip sinking zero's
The talentless performers on singing competitions like American Idol
Kids watching MTV looking for hero's
Young people seeking role models from the shallow, fabricated world of MTV
N'sync versus Backstreet
Two boy bands with no meaningful differences
Britney verses Ashley
Pop stars with interchangeable music and images
Axel rose and Michael Jacksons' nose
The physical appearance of musicians overshadowing their music
And, I don't think I've ever cared
The artist has never been invested in these shallow aspects of popular culture
I don't think I ever will
The artist is not likely to start caring
Who the fuck will spread a stare
Nobody should be interested in this spectacle
And who the fuck are you
The singer is dismissive of those who do care
Even if you erased everything
Even without these distractions
And covered up the stains
Even if we ignore the damage done by these trends
I'd still be the one here
The singer would still exist, unaffected
Questioning if anythings arranged
Wondering if there is any underlying order or meaning to this world
Hey kid's rock and roll
Enjoy music that speaks to you
Shake hands with the devil and sell your soul
Be aware of the corrupting influence of fame and success
Hey kids ask me why
Ask questions about the nature of life and existence
Everybodies gotta die
The reality of mortality affects us all
Bush buys his voters
The corruption in politics and elections
Free love is over
The idealism of the 60s has given way to a harsher reality
Anna Nicoles' lost weight off her shoulders
Another celebrity-driven story
Cell phones with belltones
Technological advancements have skewed priorities
Hootie and Manson
Different musicians used as examples of the absurdity of pop culture
'Puffy's' now 'Diddy' and 'Lopez' hates 'Affleck'
More changes in the pop culture industry
I don't think I want to know
The singer has no interest in learning more about this world
I don't really fucking care
The singer is indifferent to these trends
Take the rumors and the lies
Disregard the false narratives that are created
And shove them up your ass
These narratives have no place in our lives
Ladies and Gents
Attention, please
Direct your attention please
Focus and listen
To the center ring
To the main attraction
And behold
Look at this spectacle
The 13th wonder of the world
The absurdity of modern life is something to behold
The three headed jelly spine
A metaphor for the weak, malleable nature of society
Of the nation, we call life
A commentary on society as a whole
Breaking news, the savior is coming
False promises and hope are being peddled
Everybody run from what you are becoming
Be wary of being consumed by the shallow, meaningless trends of society
Hey kid's ask them why everybodies gotta die
Question the inevitability of mortality
Contributed by Mason N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Invader Zim
Love this song!
Light Turner
I'm practically positive that's what would've happened if Ghost Machine stuck it out with each other even though they came out in 2005 but debut years don't matter (it's hard to explain) and I'm pretty if they had 7 albums by now?! They'd probably be bigger than FFDP
Invader Zim
This is amazing!
Shelton Walls
Love this song i wish he would redo it
Light Turner
I wish FFDP were Ivan Moody's first band with the same events occurring in this timeline being the same but Ghost Machine being formed in 2011 them releasing 11 studio albums between 2013 and 2033!
Cicero
🤘🤘🤘
Light Turner
What?! I have a lot of creativity plus this band deserved to be bigger than what FFDP is and FFDP deserves to be bigger than what A7X is
D3athsqvad Anthem
Who disliked this
Sebastian Speed
This song is funny in a messed up way.
Shelton Walls
Sebastian Speed ha yeah i know ive tryed to look for it to download but no luck