Revealing a sharp songwriting instinct and unfolding a distinct indie rock influence, the Secret Machines unveil singular scenarios and refined tunes within the alternative pop/rock scene. Guitarist Benjamin Curtis, Drummer Josh Garza, and Brandon Curtis (vocals, bass, keys) formed the Secret Machines in the midst of summer of 2000, in Dallas, TX. The trio swiftly managed to create its own sounding marks, mostly due to a common musical and band experience. Before forming the Machines, the Curtis brothers played with the punk rock squad Ufofu; in addition, Brandon’s also a regular headliner of the Dallas underground music scene, namely through his active participation in projects such as captain audio alongside Garza. After several months of rehearsals and recording sessions in Chicago with engineer Brian Deck, the Machines offered their debut disc, the EP September 000, in March of 2002. After touring throughout much of 2002, the band returned to their adopted hometown of New York City and began recording the debut full-length for Reprise with producer Jeff Blenkinsopp. The album Now Here is Nowhere was released in May of 2004. This was then followed up by their second full length album Ten Silver Drops, released in April 2006 to mixed critical responses.
While working on their third album, Benjamin left the band to continue his work with School of Seven Bells, a new project with members of the disbanded On!Air!Library!. Josh and Brandon have been joined by guitarist and vocalist Phil Karnats, restoring the band to a three-piece.
The Secret Machines are featured on the soundtrack for Universal’s movie musical, “Across the Universe”.
In 2008, the Secret Machines joined the ranks of other iconic artists such as NIN, Radiohead, and Pearl jam, who are putting their music out without the support of a major label. Having recently parted ways with Warner Brothers, their follow up album to 2006’s Ten Silver Drops will be self-released on TSM Recordings on October 14, and features 8 new tracks: ‘Atomic Heels’, ‘Last Believer’, ‘Drop Dead’, ‘Have I Run Out’, ‘Underneath The Concrete’, ‘Now You’re Gone’, ‘The Walls Are Starting to Crack’, ‘I Never Thought To Ask’ and ‘The Fire Is Waiti
After much press speculation and heresy, er...hearsay... here's the REAL story, as only the band can tell it. As they prepare for their upcoming UK/EU tour and to celebrate the release of their third album, Secret Machines (featuring 2 bonus tracks), in the UK - the band have spoken publicly for the first time since the departure of former guitarist Benjamin Curtis.
"Secret Machines is supposed to be a vehicle for us to be ourselves and play and do what we wanted to do, and that's why Ben left." - Brandon Curtis
"I wouldn't have joined them if they hadn't been open-minded in that way." - Phil Karnats
"We wanted someone who could just grab it. We're really tough musicians, if you can play, cool - if not, get the hell outta here. Phil can hang." - Josh Garza
Released today on the band's social network www.thesecretmachines.com, the uncensored video clip of Brandon, Josh and Phil - who speaks out for the first time on camera - reveals what really happened, why Benjamin left, and how they rose above uncertainty to continue the musical revolution known as The Secret Machines.
Check out the never-before-seen-footage , Part 1 in a series. Shot in hi-def by Susan Stahman and Howard Berger, courtesy of PalmDoorFilms.
https://secretmachines.lnk.to/awake
Lightning Blue Eyes
Secret Machines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you changed your mind
I left the ground you just gave in
It was the only time
I felt awake, I was way out
Under the closing night
Just as the morning became us
What changed?
What...
What changed?
What changed?
It's in my love
Ohhh...
In your dreams you've seen it all
Through a window so far off
I remember watching while your
Lightning blue eyes reflected sunrise
And through the dawn I'd seen it too
I caught a glimpse I thought was you
And I was overwhelmed
Lightning blue eyes against the daylight
I felt awake, I was way out
It was the only time
To do away with persuasion
Oh when you changed your mind
Cause in her dreams she's seen it all
Through a window so far off
I remember watching while her
Lightning blue eyes reflected sunrise
And through the dawn I'd seen it too
I caught a glimpse I thought was her
And I was overwhelmed
Lightning blue eyes against the daylight
Ahh Ahh, Ahh Ahh...
Ahh Ahh, Ahh Ahh...
Ahh Ahh, Ahh Ahh...
Ahh Ahh, Ahh Ahh...
Ohhhh...
In your dreams you've seen it all
Through a window so far off
I remember watching while your
Lightning blue eyes reflected sunrise
And through the dawn I'd seen it too
I caught a glimpse I thought was you
And I was overwhelmed
Lightning blue eyes against the daylight
The lyrics to Secret Machines' song Lightning Blue Eyes seem to be about a particular moment in time where the singer and someone else were in the sky, feeling awake and out of their normal daily routine. Perhaps they were caught up in the excitement of being together, escaping reality, and experiencing something special. However, something seems to have changed since that time, and the singer is left questioning what happened to make it so. They feel that their love has changed, but they’re not sure why. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery, especially in the descriptions of the person's lightning blue eyes. The singer has seen these eyes in their own dreams and they seem to hold a lot of meaning for them.
The opening lines of the song suggest that the two people in the lyrics were in a moment of conflict, with one person changing their mind, and the other person taking off as a result. It was a moment of persuasion, where one person was attempting to convince the other of something, but ultimately something went wrong. The second verse describes the person's dreams and how the eyes are seen through a far-off window, almost like a distant memory. The use of the term "overwhelmed" hints at the intensity of the emotions the singer is feeling. They still have strong feelings for this person and are struggling to understand why things have changed. Perhaps the song's title, Lightning Blue Eyes, is symbolic of the sudden and unexpected nature of what happened between the two people.
Line by Line Meaning
Under the weight of persuasion
Feeling burdened by the pressure to change your mind
When you changed your mind
When you finally gave in to the pressure to change your mind
I left the ground you just gave in
I felt liberated from the weight of the persuasion that was lifted from you
It was the only time
The only time you ever changed your mind like that
I felt awake, I was way out
You felt fully alive and free from the persuasion that weighed you down
Under the closing night
Amidst the darkness of the nightfall
Just as the morning became us
As the morning light began to surround us
And we were only sky
We felt like we were part of the vast and limitless sky around us
In your dreams you've seen it all
You've imagined everything unfolding in your dreams
Through a window so far off
It seems like it's out of reach and beyond your grasp
I remember watching while your
I recall observing how your
Lightning blue eyes reflected sunrise
Bright, intense blue eyes that shone like lightning in the sunrise
And through the dawn I'd seen it too
As dawn arrived, I saw what you saw as well
I caught a glimpse I thought was you
I saw something that I thought was a reflection of you
And I was overwhelmed
It felt like too much to take in and process
Lightning blue eyes against the daylight
The bright blue color of the eyes stood out against the light of day
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sean Moloney
The greatest band ever. RIP Ben, you are missed.
Sean Moloney
4 adam frank 4 adam frank Ben Curtis the guitarist, Brandon’s brother, passed.
Doktor John Ambrose
Agreed! Nothing comes close. Painful loss.
Angry Chris
Saw them open up for Metric and they are incredible! A truly amazing performance and I don't know how they flew under my radar but they are on it now!
Andrew Turvill
Wow would love to see both!
Alfonso Osuna
I remember seeing this guys in Monterrey, mx opening for U2. I was shocked! and became a fan since then... such an amazing band!!!! Miss this guys!!!
Flesh
How does such a good song have such a good video? So much talent across the mediums
yarmsy42191
my favorite band ever. i remember when this album came out. r.i.p ben
my raining stars
One of the best 00ies songs , DEFINITELY
Robert Smale
That kick drum...