The Dream Machine – Thank God! It’s The Dream Machine

Wirral five-piece The Dream Machine released their debut album ‘Thank God! It’s The Dream Machine back in April via Run On Records and Modern Sky UK. The band formed in 2020 when frontman Zac McDonnell quit drumming in The Mysterines and began working at the iconic Parr Studios. Studying the likes of Blossoms and The Coral, McDonnell united Matt Gouldson (lead guitar & backing vocals), Jack Inchboard (bass & backing vocals), Isaac Salisbury (drums), and Harrison Marsden (keyboards) and began to hatch their psychedelic dreams.

Image and artwork courtesy of The Lost Agency

In a world of corruption, war, and failure of leadership like never before, The Dream Machine’s innocent souls are beyond refreshing. Their creative journey without borders or destination rings true through them, as with The Jonestown Massacre in 1995. Newcombe, Mayami, and Gion’s fingerprints can be found on ‘Away For The Summer’ and ‘The Last Temptation’. The former, a ramshackle kaleidoscopic folk number with harmonies so pure that you’ll miss the bitterness (“I'd rather die all on my own than see you again”) swelling. ‘The Last Temptation’ taps into BJM’s colossal sense of destiny and The Coral’s melodic joy on this satanic masterpiece.

The moments when they raise the tempo show that this is a band that can and will do whatever they want! ‘Always On My Mind’ waltzes into view like the devil conducting The Stands. Meanwhile, former single ‘TV Baby / Satan’s Child’ sets fire to Love’s ‘A House Is Not A Motel’. McDonnell’s usually angelic vocal fractures into a James Skelly freak beat moment of genius! Then, in ‘White Shadow Blues’, they erupt into a furious mesh of ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’ and Jake Bugg’s early classics ‘Taste It’ and ‘Lightning Bolt’.

What is true of their influences is still typical of the music industry today. They will be judged on their singles. Step forward ‘Lola, In The Morning’ and ‘Children, My England’. The former is blessed with the optimism of The Coral’s ‘In The Morning’, Roger McGuinn’s finesse, and Hamilton Leithauser’s vocals. On ‘Children, My England’, The Dream Machine cross the threshold from upstarts into a world of Richard Hawley and Pete Doherty. Masterful poets lost souls, and romantic souls are searching for a higher ground to set themselves free. The Parisian keys meet the guitars of The Stands and the bands featured on the Children of Nuggets compilation. Shimmering and tumbling guitars provide a perfect backdrop for the lyrics that bed in between Coleridge’s ‘Lyrical Ballads’ and John Cooper Clarke’ 's ‘Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt’.

‘Thank God! It’s The Dream Machine’ is undoubtedly the most fully formed debut album from a British band in a generation. Perhaps longer. They’re on the precipice of greatness. Flashes of immortality rear up here, making the prospect of their second album mouth-watering.

Jamie Webster – Going Out

Liverpool’s fastest-rising star Jamie Webster is back with his new single ‘Going Out’. Recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios with Dave Eringa, the single is released by Modern Sky UK.

With rebellious spit of Tom Clarke etched into his heart, Webster saddles up and rages war against those wilfully overlooking his generation. Centered around two characters, Paul and Annabella, it traverses their frustrations across lockdown.

Webster’s brushstrokes are broad and emotive enough to reel most but, this is not misty-eyed romanticism. Teenagers the world over have had the coming of age moments shredded by covid. Whilst science is undeniable, so is their turmoil. Heightened by a callous greed-driven government who, when they deliver the best results of all time, are still told they’re wrong. Fuck. Off!

Webster’s vocal cadence is a righteous escape into the night. It beckons you into the night on a wing and prayer to forge stories that’ll live forever.  Be McLovin, choose life, find love, drink this, risk it all. Those who haven’t cared, unless a footballer shames them into it will not help. Take the night and own it!

Webster’s second album ‘Moments’ is due for release on January 22nd. His debut, ‘We Get By’, in hindsight lent towards Gerry Cinnamon just too much for it to get the praise its lyrics deserved. On this showing, Webster is now his own man and better for it. Polemic and joy are bounded together for our inspiration.

*Image courtesy of Modern Sky UK

Webster will be touring the UK and Ireland in November and December:

Tue 30 Nov – Glasgow, SWG3

Wed 1 Dec – Newcastle, Boilershop

Thu 2 Dec – Leeds, Beckett Student Union

Sat 4 Dec – Birmingham, Academy 2

Tue 7 Dec – Cardiff, Tramshed

Wed 8 Dec – Bristol, Thekla

Thu 9 Dec – London, Scala

Sat 11 Dec – Belfast, Limelight 1

Mon 13 Dec – Dublin, Academy

Tue 14 Dec – Manchester, O2 Ritz

Thu 16 Dec – Liverpool, Eventim Olympia

Fri 17 Dec – Liverpool, Eventim Olympia – SOLD OUT

Sat 18 Dec – Liverpool, Eventim Olympia – SOLD OUT