Jazz Archives

Machine Gun was an improvising band formed in New York City in 1986. Its members were: Robert Musso: guitars, Thomas Chapin: reeds and flute, John Richey: vocals, cut-ups, tapes, TV, Bil Bryant: drums, Jair-Rohm Parker Wells: basses. Karl Berger is featured on melodica on their eponymous first release.

The band name came from the landmark Peter Brötzmann 1968 album release "Machine Gun", an octet recording often listed among the most notable free jazz albums. One critic has written "Machine Gun" offers "a heavy-impact sonic assault so aggressive it still knocks listeners back on their heels decades later." This style significantly influence this band.

Sonny Sharrock frequently performed with the band and appears on the first release, as well as the second, Open Fire.

:::Info by wiki:::

Machine Gun - Open Fire (1989)

1. In The Beginning 5:24

2. A Sultan's Last Stand 4:26

3. Pentagon 6:15

4. Get The Gun 3:56

5. See Africa 5:10

6. Brass Tactics 6:55

7. Recreation 2:14

8. Arsenal Tech High 7:01

9. Mommie Sir 7:03

10. Obsession + Oblivion 5:11

11. Take No Prisoners 3:32

12. Muffy Fails French 5:14

13. Road Worthy 9:16

14. Chillin 1:19

Credits

Bass – Jair-Rohm Parker Wells

Drums – Bil Bryant

Featuring [Special Guest] – Sonny Sharrock

Guitar, Bass – Robert Musso

Saxophone, Flute – Thomas Chapin

Tape, Vocals – John Richey