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
Solar Temple
Machines of Loving Grace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Behind the blue motel
Out on the frontage road
Down by the interstate
We open up our sores
We cauterize ourselves
Behind the blue motel
Down by the interstate
Satisfied, full of pride
We become what we defy
Satisfied, comatose
We become what we fear most
What lies we tell ourselves
We open up our sores
We cauterize ourselves
Behind the blue motel
Like the insect in the hive
Like the richest junkie still alive
Satisfied, full of pride
We become what we deny
Satisfied cast aside
The solar lodge has its stride
(Softcore kickstand honey at the source)
(You could hardly see him he came out of nowhere)
(Always a friend of the victim at the slaughter of the)
(Innocents)
The lyrics of Machines of Loving Grace's song 'Solar Temple' are a commentary on the lies we tell ourselves in order to maintain a sense of satisfaction and pride. The imagery of the blue motel and the interstate hint at a sense of transience and confinement. The lines "We open up our sores, we cauterize ourselves" suggest a cycle of self-harm and self-healing, as if we are perpetuating the very pain we are trying to escape. The comparison to an insect in a hive or the richest junkie still alive points to a sense of being trapped in a system that we have created for ourselves.
The chorus of the song provides a perspective on our actions and their consequences. It suggests that our satisfaction and complacency in our comfort zones will ultimately make us become what we fear most. We become the very things we have been trying to deny through our self-deception. The last stanza of the song seems to hint at the idea of the "Solar Lodge," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for a better way of life, but the singer suggests that this lodge has already cast aside those who are satisfied with their current existence.
Line by Line Meaning
What lies we tell ourselves
We deceive ourselves with falsehoods
Behind the blue motel
In secret, away from prying eyes
Out on the frontage road
In a desolate and isolated place
Down by the interstate
Near the busy and noisy freeway
We open up our sores
We expose our wounds and flaws
We cauterize ourselves
We try to heal ourselves
Like the insect in the hive
Like a mindless drone in society
Like the richest junkie still alive
While enjoying material success, we struggle internally
Satisfied, full of pride
Content with ourselves and our achievements
We become what we deny
We embody the things we reject
Satisfied, comatose
Blissful, but numb to reality
We become what we fear most
We turn into the very things we dread
Satisfied cast aside
We ignore the uncomfortable truths
The solar lodge has its stride
The cult-like group is thriving
(Softcore kickstand honey at the source)
A sexual reference to the cult's seductive practices
(You could hardly see him he came out of nowhere)
A mysterious and elusive figure is present
(Always a friend of the victim at the slaughter of the)
The cult may be responsible for violence and abuse
(Innocents)
Those who are wronged and powerless
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL BERNARD FISHER, RAYMOND LEON RIENDEAU, SCOTT D. BENZEL, TOM MELCHIONDA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind