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
Kiss Destroyer
Machines of Loving Grace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunk to a new low
Is there something inside?
Something you hide?
A chain of sores
A chain of sores
We all suffer the symptoms
Is this something a toy
For you to employ?
Something left that a kiss
Could not destroy
Boil the water
I really love the daughter
She's a flower
She's a scar
We are safe in our bedsheets
Sunk to a new low
Boil the water
A lamb led to the slaughter
It's a flower
It's a scar
The Machines of Loving Grace's song Kiss Destroyer is a dark and mysterious exploration of human vulnerability and the dangers of emotional intimacy. The opening lines, "We are slaves in our bedsheets, sunk to a new low" immediately set the tone for the song's brooding atmosphere. The lyrics suggest a sense of hopelessness and entrapment that can be found in unfulfilling relationships, with the repetition of the phrase "something you hide" hinting at a sense of distrust between the two parties involved. The reference to "a chain of sores" further emphasizes the idea of emotional pain and suffering that can be prolonged through intimacy.
The chorus of the song, "We all suffer the symptoms of a subtle disease, is this something a toy for you to employ?" speaks to the idea of love and relationships being seen as a game to be played rather than a genuine connection between two people. The line "something left that a kiss could not destroy" suggests that the damage inflicted by the relationship has left a lasting impact, despite the superficial attempts at affection. The verse "boil the water, I really love the daughter, she's a flower, she's a scar" is cryptic, but the overall sense of destruction and danger is clear.
Overall, Kiss Destroyer is a haunting exploration of the complexities of human relationships, and the potential for emotional devastation that comes with them. The song presents a bleak view of intimacy and suggests that even seemingly innocent actions can have long-lasting consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
We are slaves in our bedsheets
We feel trapped and unable to escape the routine of our lives.
Sunk to a new low
We have hit a low point and feel stuck.
Is there something inside?
We wonder if there is more to life than what we are experiencing.
Something you hide?
We suspect that others may be hiding their true emotions and feelings from us.
A chain of sores
We are burdened by our emotional scars and past traumas.
We all suffer the symptoms
We all experience the negative effects of our current situation.
Of a subtle disease
The root of our struggles is not obvious or easy to identify.
Is this something a toy
We question whether our problems are trivial and insignificant.
For you to employ?
We wonder if others are using our struggles to their advantage.
Something left that a kiss
Our problems may be too deep-seated and complex to be solved by simple gestures.
Could not destroy
Our problems are persistent and difficult to overcome.
Boil the water
We may be trying to cleanse ourselves of our emotional pain.
I really love the daughter
There may be someone in our lives who brings us joy and happiness amidst our struggles.
She's a flower
This person is delicate and beautiful.
She's a scar
At the same time, this person may remind us of our past pain and trauma.
We are safe in our bedsheets
Despite our struggles, we find comfort and safety in the familiarity of our lives.
A lamb led to the slaughter
At the same time, we may feel like we are being led to a metaphorical death or destruction.
It's a flower
Our source of joy and happiness is still delicate and vulnerable to harm.
It's a scar
Our source of joy and happiness is also a reminder of our past pain and trauma.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL BERNARD FISHER, RAYMOND LEON RIENDEAU, SCOTT D. BENZEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind