It’s our pleasure to introduce you to Machineries of Joy.
Formed in Exeter, Devon, Machineries of Joy mix psych, alt-rock, indie and punk to create irregular music that should already exist. If you love your rock to be jagged and spiky but catchy and melodic with strange, poetic lyrics, then these are the boys for you.
Photo Credit: Machineries of Joy
Photo Credit: Machineries of Joy
Band Members:
Darren (vocals & guitar)
Mike (drums)
Rasjad (lead guitar)
Tomek (bass guitar)
Photo Credit: Machineries of Joy
Where are you from? / Where are you based now?:
We all live in and around Exeter but come from locales as diverse as Sławno, Poland, and Hayling Island, Hampshire.
Musical Influences:
Syd Barrett, The Doors, The Flaming Lips, Graham Coxon, Gomez, The Strokes, Velvet Underground, Bowie, BRMC, IDLES.
In your own words:
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. We combine these two things with words that have intended and interpreted meanings to occupy a unique portion of spacetime. And it rocks.
About the latest release:
Our debut EP, called SIZES, features six tracks, including the single ‘The Chinese Bell Tower’. All tracks are written by Darren and performed by MoJ.
What inspired the latest release:
Love, sex, life and death. The usual weaknesses and strengths.
Quickfire Questions
If you’re on the road…
The absolute essential item for us on tour is…
The WAGs.
Our most challenging journey for the least payoff led us to…
Deepest, darkest Crediton.
Keeping fit on the road requires…
An old leather football, tobacco, books, music.
The coolest pit stop worldwide is…
Gloucester Services, baby!
A must-have in our tour survival kit is…
Vocalzone.
The weirdest gig we’ve ever played happened at…
A pub on Halloween. Halfway through our set a coffin was wheeled out and opened in front of us. Or, played in a graveyard full of winos under a too-small tarpaulin in the pissing rain. Gear got wet, so we finished the set after 6 songs. Didn’t even get paid.
The place with the best bathroom graffiti is…
The best part of performing live is the feeling of…
- Communion.
The silliest thing ever said onstage was…
- “Whammo”.
How we prepare for a show….
- Rehearse & drink a couple of beers.
Tell us about an independent eatery in Exeter you love.
- iFood – best asian food in town.
- Tazma Studios – best rehearsal space in the South West!
Photo Credit: Machineries of Joy