Machines of Loving Grace was an industrial rock band from Tucson, Arizona, … Read Full Bio ↴Machines of Loving Grace was an industrial rock band from Tucson, Arizona, United States.

Formed in 1989 as Machines of Loving Grace (named for a Richard Brautigan poem), the original lineup consisted of Scott Benzel (vocals), Stuart Kupers (guitar and bass), and Mike Fisher (keyboards), with Brad Kemp (drums) added shortly thereafter.

Mammoth Records released their demo as the band's label debut without any rerecording in 1991. Their self-titled album Machines of Loving Grace was followed by two EP singles- Rite of Shiva and 1992's Burn Like Brilliant Trash which featured Trent Reznor remixes.

Two years later, the band released Concentration. It continued their signature sound, but was more refined in the combination of beat- and bass-heavy riffs, with hard edged guitar. With the release of two videos, the band was able to get national-level MTV airplay, and join in the industrial rock wave that was ushered in by Nine Inch Nails.

1994 saw a new song by the band, Golgotha Tenement Blues featured on the soundtrack to The Crow.

In 1995, Machines of Loving Grace released their third album, Gilt. This record was marked by an increased guitar presence. New band members included David Suycott (formerly of Stabbing Westward and Spies Who Surf) on drums, Ray Riendeau (bass) and Tom Coffen (guitar).

The song Richest Junkie Still Alive was included on the soundtrack to Hackers. The song Tryst was released on the ill-fated MegaMan Soundtrack. Furthermore, various mixes of three of their songs—Perfect Tan, Butterfly Wings, and Lilith/Eve—were featured on the '95 horror Devour. Butterfly Wings was also featured on the television show Due South, in the episodes Chicago Holiday and Flashback.

In 1997, the band was working on a new record, but before it was completed the band broke up. This was precipitated by trouble at the label, and Benzel's desire to work on other projects, among other reasons. A new album was to be called Love Scenes at the Slave Market, but after a fruitless search for a label (Mammoth was in the process of being sold), the project was abandoned.

As of 2006, Benzel is involved with an electronic band called Soulo. Mike Fisher is currently with Amish Rake Fight.

In 2008, Butterfly Wings from 1993's Concentration was featured on the soundtrack of the motion picture Punisher: War Zone.

Previous Members:
Scott Benzel: vocals (1989-1997)
Stuart Kupers: guitar and bass (1989-1995)
Mike Fisher: keyboards (1989-1995)
Brad Kemp: drums (1989-1995)
Ray Riendeau: bass (1995-1997)
David Suycott: drums (1995-1997)
Kevin Doc Sullivan: keyboards (1995-1997)

Discography:
Studio Albums
1991 - Machines of Loving Grace
1993 - Concentration
1995 - Gilt

Remix EPs
1991 - Rite of Shiva
1992 - Burn Like Brilliant Trash

Singles
1991-1992
-- X-Insurrection
-- Rite of Shiva
-- Burn Like Brilliant Trash
1993
-- Perfect Tan (Bikini Atoll)
-- Butterfly Wings
-- If I Should Explode
1994
-- Golgotha Tenement Blues
1995-1996
-- Richest Junkie Still Alive
-- Suicide King

Butterfly Wings
Machines of Loving Grace Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You can't place faith in material things
Material things will fail you
A hurricane triggered by a butterfly's wings
Your conspirators betray you

Don't place faith in human beings
Human beings are unreliable things
Don't place faith in human beings

Human beings or butterfly's wings

You can't place faith in a new regime
That fascist faith will kill you
A hurricane triggered by a butterfly's wings
Your conspirators betray you

Don't place faith in human beings
Human beings are unreliable things
Don't place faith in human beings
Human beings or butterfly wings

There's something burning
Deep inside I know
There's something
Inside this hole

(Tonight when I chase the dragon -
By their fruits you shall know them)

Don't place faith
Don't place faith
When I decide to live in the mind
The heart dies
Mother superior in the sky
The heart dies
The heart dies

Don't place faith in human beings
Human beings are unreliable things

Don't place faith in human beings
Human beings or butterfly wings

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Machines of Loving Grace's "Butterfly Wings" convey a message of caution against placing faith in material objects, human beings, and even new regimes. These are all things that are fallible, and they have the potential to fail us. The opening lines suggest that we should not put our trust in material things, as they are not enduring and will betray us. This is followed by a reference to the butterfly effect, which states that a small change can cause a large effect. The line "A hurricane triggered by a butterfly's wings" symbolizes that even the smallest things can have an immense impact.

The song also highlights the need to be wary of human beings as they are unreliable and prone to betrayal. This notion is emphasized in the refrain "Don't place faith in human beings/Human beings are unreliable things." There is also a warning against trusting in new regimes or fascist faiths, as they have the potential to cause harm and destruction.

The lyrics suggest a search for understanding and meaning, as evidenced by the lines "There's something burning/Deep inside I know/ There's something/Inside this hole." Despite this yearning, the song urges the listener to not place faith solely in the mind or in material things. The heart must be nourished as well, or it will "die." In sum, "Butterfly Wings" is a cautionary tale against putting unwavering faith in anything that is fallible.

Line by Line Meaning

You can't place faith in material things
Believing in physical possessions is misguided

Material things will fail you
Relying on material possessions will ultimately disappoint you

A hurricane triggered by a butterfly's wings
A small event can cause a large and unexpected outcome

Your conspirators betray you
Even those thought to be on your side can deceive you

Don't place faith in human beings
Trusting in people is unwise

Human beings are unreliable things
People are undependable

Don't place faith in human beings
Believing in people is misguided

Human beings or butterfly's wings
Neither people nor random events can be relied upon fully

There's something burning
An intense feeling is present

Deep inside I know
I have a strong intuition about something

There's something
An important thing is present