About the Band

Crash the Machine is a band that takes you on a musical journey through the sonic landscape of the human condition: love, fear, destruction, hope, passion and uncertainty. They ask the question, "What is going on here?" and actually try to do something about it. In fact, the band's name Crash the Machine represents thinking for yourself and taking action. This is not a cookie-cutter band that can be easily forgotten amidst the sea of many acts sloshing around broadcast radio these days.

Crash the Machine has a catalog of over 60 songs to draw from, and they are adding new songs every month. The band is currently promoting their first album, 4 a.m., through live shows, radio, and the Internet.

The band has a growing global fan base representing 22 countries and is receiving air play at college radio as well as Internet and broadcast stations around the world. In the words of one newspaper, "this is a band that knows where it is going, knows what it wants to say, and is pursuing it with admirable clear-sightedness!"

If you've ever seen a live performance by Crash the Machine, then you know that this band engages its audience and makes them part of the performance. As they say themselves, "One of the band's primary goals is to break down the barriers between performer and audience, allowing fans to be directly involved in the music. We believe once we create our music, it is handed over to our listeners and fans. We strive to make it the fans songs and words too. We are their band to experience, whether it is through a live performance, a podcast, or our website."

Back to the Beginning

Crash the Machine is a band with roots in 1989 when the Murray Brothers (Craig, Eric and Jon) relocated to Sacramento, California for the specific purpose of creating a band together. A friend of Craig's introduced Brian Crane to the brothers, and the first incarnation of these four was born. The band released a few EPs and played non-stop, receiving excellent reviews from local and regional publications as well as favorable reviews from record industry executives and Billboard Magazine. They were nominated for Best Modern Rock Band at Sacramento's 1st Annual SAMMIE Awards and played with acts such as Agent Orange, the Dynatones, and Cake. The band broke up in the mid-1990's due to several life transitions that we all experience.

Cut to 2004.

At the request of mutual friends in the Sacramento music scene, the members of Crash the Machine were asked to reunite for a show benefiting area homeless shelters. The band got back together, rehearsed non-stop, and blew the crowd away. The four bandmates sat backstage having a celebration drink and asked themselves, "why did we ever stop doing this?"

In 2005 Crash the Machine built their own recording studio then wrote, recorded, mixed and produced their debut album, 4 a.m.

At the same time they discovered that they could build their own path to the world's stage by creating and managing their own record/publishing company, Crash the Machine Music. Just as they adeptly navigate through their live set as musicians, Crash the Machine Music is a true independent company that knows how to manage its business affairs with talent and tenacity.

4 a.m. is available for purchase and download at iTunes, Yahoo! Music, TowerRecords.com, and CD Baby. More outlets are expected to come online in 2006.

Crash the Machine will begin recording their 2nd album in February 2006 and plan to release it in late 2006.