MACHINA: 'The Rumors Of Our Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated'

MACHINA, the Little Rock, Arkansas-based band featuring former EVANESCENCE members John LeCompt and Rocky Gray, has issued the following update:

"The rumors of our death have been greatly exaggerated.

"Despite our silence and lack of touring, we're still just as active now as we ever have been. Right now, we're achieving a major goal we've had since we started: to record a full-length album...a professional full-length album. The way this has all come together has been nothing short of a miracle. For one, we're in a famous, top-notch recording studio in Nashville. That's a huge deal in itself.

"But no, it doesn't stop there. Producing the album is none other than prolific hit-making machine Toby Wright. If that name doesn't mean that much to you, then carry yourself over to his profile and check out his rsum here.

"Yeah, I know, pretty freakin' impressive. Joining him as recording engineer is the mythological wizard of sonic majesty... James 'One More Time For Safety' Musshorn.

"It's been an awesome experience working with these two. They believe in what we're doing, believe in the music, and are working tirelessly day and night to make sure we make the best album possible. And we thank them for that. All of our focus for the past couple of months has been on this recording, which explains why we've been so quiet and haven't toured. We've recorded alot of songs, I won't say how many. But there's some new stuff in there. We just have to figure out what we want to put on the album and what we want to save for the future. It's all sounding so good though. We can't wait to let you guys hear it!

"None of this would've have been possible without Ultimate Entertainment New Orleans, and the faith they have in this band. It's because of them that we're able to take MACHINA to a new level. They've been one of the VERY few people we've been involved with that have actually helped, instead of hurt this band. Over the past year we've been involved with folks who really shouldn't be offering their help to any band. Oh sure, they meant well and had big plans. But when it came to actually doing something, they dropped the ball in a big way...repeatedly. And that meant we had to suffer setbacks because of them. Seriously, one day we'll write a MACHINA memoir, and you'll read it and wonder how in the world we made it this far. Obviously, none of it stopped us. We can't let it. This is a project that has to keep moving in order to survive. We're like pelagic sharks in a way... kinda... almost. They have to keep swimming or they will die. And there's your science lesson for the day.

"So what's next? Well, we finish the album. That's the number one priority on our list right now. Once that's all done, and once we take care of the business of getting it out there to the public, then we move on to doing what we do best: LIVE SHOWS! We miss being on the road. We miss playing in front of our fans, and in front of people who have never heard of us. So get your concert shirts ready, mow some lawns, sell your lunch box collection on eBay, dip into your kid's college fund, whatever it takes for you to get to a show, make it happen.

"Also, over the next month or so we'll give you some video footage to enjoy. Everything from behind-the-scenes shenanigans at the studio to Phil's crazy dreams. If you enjoy being entertained, then you're gonna want to watch. Now, if you haven't joined our message board yet, then you should get on the boat with the rest of the trendsetters and join up. We're kicking around the idea of making exclusive content available to our members there. Basically, it's stuff you can only see (or hear) if you log in as a member. And if that's not enough, it's also where we host our live chats.

"So here's the deal folks: To sum it all up, MACHINA is alive and well in 2008. And we plan on making some noise to prove it. We hope you'll make some noise with us."

MACHINA recently collaborated with Mick Mars of MTLEY CRE on a new song entitled "Save You". The sessions took place between February 8 and February 10 (Grammy weekend) in Los Angeles at Mick Mars' personal studio. The track will feature guitar work by Mars and LeCompt, vocals by Phil Taylor, drums by Rocky Gray and bass by Thad Ables. Footage of the sessions can be seen below.

MACHINA previously released a self-titled, six-song EP, which has received play on XM Satellite Radio and rock stations nationwide by virtue of the buzz the band has generated.

LeCompt formed MACHINA with former FUTURE LEADERS OF THE WORLD vocalist Phil Taylor, and the two are the group's songwriters as well. The lineup also includes bassist Thad Ables and drummer Rocky Gray, LeCompt's fellow EVANESCENCE alumnus. Longtime friends, John and Rocky have also played together in the groups KILL SYSTEM, SOUL EMBRACED and MOURNINGSIDE.

LeCompt and Gray both play on the 2008 Grammy-nominated EVANESCENCE track "Sweet Sacrifice", a contender in the Best Hard Rock Performance category. The song is from the 2006 #1 album "The Open Door", on which LeCompt is credited for programming in addition to guitar. LeCompt and Gray started playing with EVANESCENCE in 2002, before they were Grammy-honored as 2003's Best New Artist. They both left the band in mid-2007.

With MACHINA, LeCompt is relishing artistic and creative freedom in his songwriting partnership with Taylor and the band's grass roots touring exploits. "Everything blew up so fast with EVANESCENCE," he remembers. "We were instantly rock stars, everything was taken care of. With this project, we started from scratch and we're having to prove ourselves. We've had exciting response playing out live, and a lot of people know our stuff already. The crowds are growing in size and enthusiasm at every show, we can really feel things building."

For more information, visit www.machinarock.com.