The Suicide Machines

The Suicide Machines

The Suicide Machines are an American ska punk band from Detroit, Michigan. They form in 1991, first under the name Jack Kevorkian and the Suicide Machines, before shortening their name to The Suicide Machines. Their original lineup is Jason Navarro on vocals, Dan Lukacinsky on guitar, Jason Brake on bass and Stefan Rairigh on drums. Over time the group includes Bill Jennings, Derek Grant, Dave Smith, Royce Nunley, Erin Pitman, Ryan Vandeberghe, Rich Tschirhart and others from the membership list associated with the band.

Early releases and first lineup changes

The first lineup lasts about a year. Jennings replaces Rairigh on drums, then Grant replaces Jennings. In 1993 and 1994 the band records the demos The Essential Kevorkian and Green World, both issued on their own label, Sluggo's Old Skool Records. They also release the Vans Song 7-inch single on Youth Rendition Records.

Brake leaves in 1994 and is briefly replaced by Dave Smith before Royce Nunley becomes the permanent bassist. The lineup of Navarro, Lukacinsky, Nunley and Grant then continues for several years. Under the shorter name The Suicide Machines, this group records the split album Skank for Brains with The Rudiments.

Hollywood Records period

The band signs to Hollywood Records in 1995. Its first album, Destruction by Definition, appears in 1996 and mixes punk rock and ska. The record brings the band wider attention during the mid-1990s punk revival, and the single “No Face” gains some play on modern rock radio stations. The band tours extensively across the United States in support of the album.

Battle Hymns follows in 1998. It keeps the ska punk base but adds harder hardcore punk elements, and most of the songs are very short. After this release Grant leaves the band. Erin Pitman plays some touring dates before Ryan Vandeberghe becomes the permanent drummer.

In 2000 the group releases its self-titled album, The Suicide Machines, which moves toward a more pop rock direction and away from the ska material of earlier records. The single “Sometimes I Don’t Mind” receives some radio and video play, and the band appears on Warped Tour that summer. Steal This Record follows in 2001 and continues in a pop punk direction while still drawing on the band’s earlier ska punk and hardcore styles.

Side One Dummy years and political themes

After touring for Steal This Record, Nunley leaves to form Blueprint 76 and Rich Tschirhart joins on bass. The band ends its Hollywood Records deal by releasing the compilation The Least Worst of the Suicide Machines, then moves to Side One Dummy Records. A Match and Some Gasoline appears in 2003 and returns the group to ska punk and hardcore. Its songs include overtly political writing, with tracks such as “Did You Ever Get a Feeling of Dread?” and “Your Silence” criticising George W. Bush, the response to the September 11 attacks, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The band tours internationally and again appears on Warped Tour.

In 2005 the band releases War Profiteering is Killing Us All, which continues its political focus and attacks the Bush administration, the Iraq War and conservative Republicanism. Navarro also starts the label Noise Riot Records and releases On the Eve of Destruction: 1991-1995, a compilation of early EPs, singles and demos.

Breakup and later work

While touring for War Profiteering is Killing Us All, the band breaks up in 2006. After that, Navarro and Vandeberghe continue working with Left in Ruin, a side project they begin while still in The Suicide Machines. Vandeberghe also joins Hifi Handgrenades. Lukacinsky forms Bayonetting the Wounded, Navarro fronts Hellmouth, and Tschirhart plays in The A-Gang.