'Surefire Machine

SureFire Machine in Golden
Published: August 12, 2008 1:00 PM
Updated: August 12, 2008 1:54 PM

The Toronto based band SureFire Machine will be bringing their turbo charged rockabilly sound back to Golden on their “Rock for Your Big Block Tour”.

The band, which includes two former Goldenites, is on tour to promote their recently released self-titled album “SureFire Machine,” which is being described as an album for rocking fans of dark hard rock and rockabilly.

According to their recent media release, “SureFire Machine’s self titled album is full of intoxicating rockabilly anthems, from “Hot Leaded Woman” to “Blue Bloods”, it’s definitely an album for high volume cranking. While gaining a loyal following across Canada as they tour 30 plus dates from coast to coast, SFM are bringing back the rock for your big block and bulldozing a fresh new sound into the ears of hard rock and rockabilly fans everywhere.”

The band is made up of four members, Rail Road Wilson on vocals and rhythm guitar, Zeke on lead guitar, Bones Bowman on Bass guitar and Jonny Fantastic on drums and vocals.

Originally from Banff, Zeke explains how the band got started. “I moved to Golden in 2000 and Greg moved here in 2001. I was at a function in Parson and my friends and I were having a conversation about rough housing with your buddies. Rail Road walked up to me and said ‘So, you wanna go?’ So we went outside. After we were finished, we pulled each other out of the dirt, shook hands and the rest is history.” Zeke says with a laugh.

Originally called “TarBender,” the twosome recorded two CDs near Golden and after enjoying a good following out west they decided to make the trip to the big city of Toronto two years ago to really get their music career off the ground.

Upon landing in Toronto the twosome set out to find a rhythm section. That’s where they found Bones Bowman and Johnny Fantastic, who were playing in the band “Banned from Caledon” at the time. Finding that their musical tastes were similar, Zeke says he and Rail Road planned to steal the two from their band. They were successful and SureFire Machine was born.

Zeke says the response in Toronto has been great. “Luckily Johnny Fantastic already had a following of whoop it up party boys who came and rocked out at our earlier shows.”

Playing in Toronto is not always lucrative Zeke says, but they have had the chance to perform at historic venues like the Horseshoe Tavern. “I knew when I went there to record music that the Horseshoe was a place I wanted to play. That’s actually where we kicked off our last tour.”

The band toured last year while recording their new album with Iguana Studios which will have its official west coast release on August 15 in Calgary.

“We’re super stoked to be finished with the album. It was great working with such a great engineer/producer like John Nazario and recording at such a great studio like Iguana. We really feel that the tunes laid down on this album are high octane, giv’er rock and roll and that our message has been conveyed perfectly,” Zeke says.

Nazario, who has worked behind the scenes as a mix engineer for projects with Nelly Furtado, Jack Johnson, & Jimmy Eat World says, “I’ve worked with a lot of bands in the past and none have struck quite like SFM. They’ve got a big future ahead of them and I’m glad to be a part of the machine.”

Zeke says the band is excited about the response to their new album. “We just kicked off our second major tour and the fans have been great. We giver as hard as we can every show, night after night because we want the crowd to do the same.” The band hopes their enthusiasm will carry over for their west coast leg of their tour.

Zeke says the trip to Golden is exciting for Surefire Machine because of their roots here. “We played in Golden last year and it was great. We have so many friends and family there, that we always have such a good time. I miss it there totally. We are glad to come back and give a little back to a community that supported us so much.”

Zeke says the band is anxious to get on the road to promote their new album. “With Asher Media Relations handling our bookings now, we’re hoping to be on the road for the next couple of years and they are hard at work to make that happen. We’d like to get down to the States in the winter. We’re definitely Road Warriors, that’s for sure.”

Catch SureFire Machine at the Lyric on August 18 as they roar into Golden to rock our block. The show starts at 8p.m.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/thegoldenstar/community/26881294.html - The Golden Star

Canadian rock band Surefire Machine is one of those groups that is almost instantly likable. As soon as the first riff starts on the band’s self titled debut, listeners will be hooked by the old meets new style. Mixing elements of modern hard rock with classic rock and a little rockabilly, this is definitely a band that should be on people’s radars. And though this self titled debut is just a tad bit too short, Surefire Machine still impresses.

What will get most listeners to notice this band are the high energy riffs. The majority of the album consists of fast paced guitar licks that are sure to appeal to a wide range of people. But in an attempt to add some variety to their sound, Surefire Machine has also added elements of rockabilly and blues rock through the use of harmonica and very southern sounding riffs. The instrumentalists claim to have been inspired by groups such as ZZ Top and this definitely comes out on their debut, although Surefire Machine does have some ideas that sound modern as well. However, this album is just too short. At just thirty six minutes and eight songs, this release feels like it flies by all too quickly.



Vocalist Rail Road Wilson is able to match the level of energy generated by the instrumentals, ensuring that Surefire Machine’s debut is loud and in your face. His delivery sounds like a cross between blues rock such as Clutch and older sleaze rock. Although Wilson’s singing is melodic, it has a certain gruffness about it that isn’t heard nearly as often in mainstream rock anymore. It may be a little bit of a generalization, but if you like Clutch it is very likely that Surefire Machine will strike your fancy as well as their vocalist is very similar in style and pitch.



Surefire Machine is off to a great start. Some listeners will wish that this debut had two to three more songs to truly flesh it out, but that ultimately doesn’t hurt the band that much. If they can keep at it and continue to pump out blues rock/rockabilly with the same level of intensity showcased here, then these Canadians could definitely achieve the level of fame that many of their American counterparts have. But for now they have showcased that they truly understand this genre, and with a little more refinement Surefire Machine will truly shine.



http://www.surefiremachine.com

Chris Dahlberg

September 03, 2008
http://www.cosmosgaming.com/articles.php?id=1526&articletype=review - CosmosGaming.com

Week of September 11, 2008, Issue #673
Surefire Machine
MUSIC
Surefire Machine
Surefire Machine looks to the slopes ahead

CAROLYN NIKODYM /

For Toronto-based Surefire Machine, there is only one kind of music. There are only pummeling drums, furious guitars and spitting vocals. There is only rock ‘n’ roll.

“There’s always the raw rock ‘n’ roll that comes back. That’s where I feel we are at—a big rock ‘n’ roll resurgence, with bands like Priestess, and stuff like that,� guitarist Zeke says. “I love it. I like to check my problems at the door when I go to a rock show, you know. I don’t go to listen to somebody whine. I like to hear the songs about driving cars and women, and drinking and having a good time. That’s what we do.�

It probably comes as no surprise, then, that it was watching old footage of Jimi Hendrix that caught a young Zeke’s attention. But it wasn’t until moving to Golden, BC in 2000 and starting a band, with the guys who eventually went on to form Disaster Man, that he realized he might actually have a future in music.

Together with vocalist and guitarist Rail Road Wilson, the pair formed TarBender, doing the ski-town circuit before heading out to Toronto to find a rhythm section and the big times.

“That was the decision, you know?� Zeke says. “If we’re going to do this, let’s do it properly. Let’s not just be stuck here—not necessarily stuck, because we love Golden and stuff. It’s just, where are we going to go if we’re pursuing music? What are we going to do out of Golden really effectively?�

After spending most of his life in the Rockies—Zeke was born and raised in Banff—Toronto was a bit of shocker.

“It was definitely different, but it’s an amazing place because there’s so much to do and the food’s great,� he explains. “But I lived outside of Toronto for most of my time there. I was actually living in a barn, just north of Toronto in Caledon, that’s where we were living. So a good redneck like me, I fit in. The city was definitely an eye-opener, but the playing there has been great.�

Zeke and Wilson joined forces with bassist Bones Bowman and drummer Jonny Fantastic, both formerly of Banned from Caledon, and Surefire Machine revved to life. Most recently, the band has been blasting down the country’s highways with a stack of new CDs—a self-titled debut—holding down the gas pedal.

They need something to help them drive, after all. When the band returns to Toronto in the fall, it will have travelled from coast to coast twice in four or five months. And Zeke wants to make sure he’s ready to do some winter touring in the Rockies and Kootenays.

“I love doing the ski-hill tours. That’s what we used to do, so it would be good to get back out here. I love ski towns, man. Everywhere you go, you know somebody,� he says. “I gotta get some skiing in too, man. It’s been two years off, just two years that I’ve dedicated just full time to this.�

There is only rock ‘n’ roll. V


Thu, Sep 18 (8 pm)
Surefire Machine
The Taphouse, St Albert, $8

http://www.vueweekly.com/article.php?id=9606 - Vue Weekly - Edmonton

The spoils of rock ’n’ roll excess
On the phone from a strip club, Surefire Machine puts the cock back in rock

Sean Steels, Arts & Entertainment Staff

There’s nothing timid about Surefire Machine—their music is loud, they’re crass, they like the ladies, and they really like the sauce. They’re the kind of band you’d expect to form out of a drunken Fubar-style brawl, and, coincidentally, in the small party town of Golden, BC, that’s exactly what happened.

“I walked into a party and was talking to a friend of mine about how when you get drunk—you and some good friends—you just like to get scrapping, and sometimes it can get hairy. Real hairy,” chuckled Zeke, the group’s guitarist.

“Rail Road Wilson, [our singer and guitar player], came up to me and said, ‘So you like to fight?’ I said, ‘Sure, why not?’ He said, ‘You’re Zeke?’ I said, ‘You’re Wilson?’ We were both kind of notorious. He said, ‘You wanna go?’ So my buddy blocked off all the doors so no one could interfere and we went at it.”

Zeke adds confidently: “On the record, I beat his ass.”

When the dust settled, the two shook hands, formed the group, and began the search for a rhythm section. But Golden is a small town and the selection was sparse.

They decided to move to Toronto and take advantage of its larger music market, quickly losing their sedentary drummer over the decision. After arriving, using a mixture of speedy riffs and booze and putting various applicants through their paces, their lineup solidified.

Now they dig out a living on the road, going from town to town, playing music and drinking their faces off. But it turns out that the sex and alcohol-fueled tour parties didn’t take much of a lifestyle change to adjust to.

“We don’t lie in our music, man. Everything we write is our life. A normal night for us [before we started touring] would be: we’d play a show, party all night, and head to Wilson’s house. Then we’d build a bunch of jumps, jump old junker cars, and shoot ’em apart with guns. That was our life—and then we’d get laid, you know?”

At first, their lifestyle seems almost hard to believe. Nobody could honestly live like that—partying all night, tearing things up, fighting, drinking, and living like a small town caricature of a ’70s rock god.

But from the payphone of a strip joint—ironically enough, back in Golden—Zeke doesn’t have to try hard to convince anyone. His voice bristles with a jovial magnetism; it races with excitement, punctuated with “ehs” and “you knows?” when talking about his antics.

“I’ve been upstairs pounding beers with my bass player and two strippers. I’ve been partying all day with strippers, man! ‘Hey, what’re your guys’ stage names?’ ” he stops to shout. “Lady Diamond and Sexy Sadie,” replies a lusty female voice.

“That’s for real, man. They wanted me to mention them, actually.”

The same balls-to-the-wall aesthetic courses through their music. Their songs have the ferocity and speed of Motörhead with a psychotic, alcohol-infused rockabilly twang.

They recently released their first album with the help of producer John Nazario, who’s worked with Nelly Furtado and The Tea Party. But Zeke admits that while they had fun with the album, he’d much rather spend time toughening up the band’s live performance.

“I just remember so often seeing bands that blew me away musically, but they bored me. I don’t remember those guys. I remember the guys with the jump kicks who play behind their heads. We just want to get that kind of show perfected,” Zeke states. “Rock and roll’s about wicked cars, leather jackets, hot women, and flying by the seat of your pants. That was the stuff that got me into rock and roll, and that’s just lacking in today’s music. Way too many people are too serious and can’t have a good time.”

But if Zeke’s behaviour is any indication, being accused of being timid is pretty far down their list of worries—somewhere past crotch-burning groupies, liver disease, hearing loss, and accidental gunshot wounds.

“We call our music ‘Chevy Metal’—rock for your big block. Hair straight back, cock straight forward. It’s what we do; it’s how we roll.”

http://www.thegatewayonline.ca/articles/arts-entertainment/volume-xcix-number-4/the-spoils-rock-n-roll-excess - The Gateway - Edmonton

Time for Zeke to fall for sleazy rock 'n' roll

By KEVIN MAIMANN

Last Updated: 19th June 2009, 12:32am

First came drinking. Then fighting. Then strippers.

Then, inevitably, rock 'n' roll.

Toronto's Surefire Machine will stagger into town tomorrow night to play Brixx Bar and Grill, underneath the Starlite Room, with local band Southroot.

Guitarist Zeke, a.k.a. Isaiah Galt, met frontman Greg "Rail Road" Wilson in 2004 when the pair got into a drunken tussle at a party in Golden, B.C.

Chatting afterwards, the two realized they shared some musical interests, and when they wound up working together at a strip joint -- Galt was the MC and Wilson was the DJ -- they vowed to start a band.

The resulting '80s faux-metal sextet Cock Rockford would soon morph into the sleazy rock 'n' roll entity that is Surefire Machine.

The quartet has only gotten rowdier since it started tirelessly touring the country, as evidenced when Galt runs down the band's activities in Golden that took place the night before the interview.

"We got a couple cars running that were dead in the back field, raced them around a homemade dirtbike track, jumped them, shot them all with guns, had a huge bonfire, blew up a whole load of stuff and stayed up all night," he says.

"That's kinda what we do all the time. I can't really say what's crazy or not because I don't know man, we just kind of live a hillbilly lifestyle."

If you don't think that's crazy, just wait till the next time the band hits town.

On July 4, Galt will get tattooed 10,000 feet above the Edmonton Sky Dive Centre in Westlock, just north of Edmonton -- while skydiving.

"We're still in debate how exactly it's gonna be done," he laughs nonchalantly. "It's not even a pro tattoo artist who's gonna tattoo me, it's actually my friend Al, who's a pro skydiver."

So his brother has rigged something up so he can do this freefall tattoo thing.

"It could be messy and it could be gruesome, but an opportunity like this doesn't come around all too often.

"So if I can huck myself out of a plane and have a good buddy of mine stab me with needles multiple times, then hell yeah, give 'er, man. No one else can say they did it, so why not?"

As far as what the tattoo will be, he says he'll make the call when he jumps. And as for the body part?

"Whatever's easiest for him, I guess. Which is kind of unfortunate 'cause it's probably gonna be in a pretty visible place," he muses.

The band will perform at the centre as part of the Provincial Skydiving Championships following Galt's jump.

And if you miss both of the aforementioned shows, they're back again to play Blues on Whyte on Aug. 9.

Galt hopes the band's constant touring and the strength of its self-titled EP will start pulling bigger crowds out to gigs, but for now, jamming all day and sleeping in vans is the perfect life.

"Of course you have to be responsible and you have to look at your future and reason, but you can't lose sight of the fact that the whole appeal to this game is the giant failure rate; the rock 'n roll, Motorhead, 'Born to lose, die to win' kind of attitude that there's no hope, we're just a ball hurtling towards disaster," he says.

When, exactly?

"Right on, you know. Just hold on and give 'er."

http://www.edmontonsun.com/entertainment/music/2009/06/19/9848166-sun.html - Edmonton Sun

Jan 14, 2010 - CWG Magazine - http://www.cwgtv.com/musicvideos/indie/2010/01/surefire-machin-have-a-good-time/

Nov 9, 2009 - Xplosive Metal - Live Photos from Indie week Performance - http://x-plosiveentertainment.com/xplosivemetal/index.php/photo-gallery?func=viewcategory&catid=63

Nov 7, 2009 - Altsounds.com (News) - http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/112501-surefire-machine-s-toronto-takeover-continues-two-new-dates-announced.html

Nov 3, 2009 - PureGrainAudio.com (News) - http://puregrainaudio.com/news/surefire-machine-announce-two-new-dates

Oct 8, 2009 - IndieSolo.com - Spotlight

Oct 2, 2009 - Blokner Reviews - (Serbia) 8/10 - http://blokner-reviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/surefire-machine-surefire-machine.html

Oct 1, 2009 - Indie Week Blog - http://blog.indieweek.com/2009/10/01/surefire-machine-10-questions/

Sept 25, 2009 - Melodic.net - http://www.melodic.net/reviewsOne.asp?revnr=8195

Sept 17, 2009 - Revolver Magazine - Pg 20 - November Issue - http://www.revolvermag-digital.com/revolver/200911/

Sept 9, 2009 -Report TV Aftonbladet (Sweden) - http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/nyheter/utrikes/article5767746.ab

Sept 9, 2009 - RockstarWeekly - News - http://www.rockstarweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=855&Itemid=101

Sept 9, 2009 - PureGrrainAudio - News - http://www.puregrainaudio.com/news/surefire-machine-get-set-to-rock-the-timas-best-live-showcase-series

Sept 8, 2009 - Ant Christ Magazine 5/5 -http://deadshop.info/reviews/SUREFIRE_MACHINE.htm

Sept 1, 2009 - Spike TV - http://www.spike.com/tag/surefire-machine

Sept 1, 2009 - efrenefren Video Blog - http://video.efrenefren.com/2009/09/freefall-tattoo-surefire-machine.html

Aug 31, 2009 - Ripple Effect - http://ripplemusic.blogspot.com/2009/08/rumors-heard-in-myspace-vol-ii-episode.html

Aug 27, 2009 - Gateway (Edmonton) - Interview - http://www.gateway.ualberta.ca/skydive

Aug 24, 2009 - News Release Sent out - Video of Skydiving Tattoo Stunt - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNmgQ2VUi94

PureGrainAudio.com - http://www.puregrainaudio.com/news/video-of-record-beaking-surefire-machine-skydiving-tattoo-available

MetalUnderground.com - http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=47625

Altsounds.com - http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/110155-record-breaking-skydiving-tattoo-accomplished-by-surefire-machine-guitarist.html#post122946

Band Weblogs - http://bandweblogs.com/blog/2009/08/25/surefire-machines-zeke-galt-tandem-free-fall-tattoo-footage-now-available-watch-video/

FFM News - http://freakinfm.wordpress.com/2009/08/24/zekesurefire-machine-jumps-from-10000-and-gets-tattood/

Aug 21, 2009 - National Coverage -

GlobalTV - http://news.globaltv.com/entertainment/Edmonton+musician+takes+skydiving+level/1918232/story.html

Canada.com - http://www.canada.com/life/Edmonton+musician+takes+skydiving+level/1918232/story.html

Vancouver Sun (Daily) - http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Edmonton+musician+takes+skydiving+level/1918232/story.html

Calgary Herald (Daily)- http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Edmonton+musician+takes+skydiving+level/1918232/story.html

Montreal Gazette (Daily)http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Edmonton+musician+takes+skydiving+level/1918232/story.html

Leader Post - Regina (Daily) http://www.leaderpost.com/life/Edmonton+musician+takes+skydiving+level/1918232/story.html

Great Extreme Sport.scom - http://greatextremesports.com/article.asp?articleid=60295&Edmonton-musician-takes-skydiving-to-a-new-level

Aug 21, 2009 - AOL Music / NoiseCreep.com - Interview - Skydiving Tattoo - http://www.noisecreep.com/2009/08/21/surefire-machines-zeke-galt-goes-skydiving-and-gets-tattooed/

Aug 20, 2009 - Indie4Life.com - News - http://www.indie4life.com/weblog/2009/08/record-breaking-skydiving-tattoo.html

Aug 19, 2009 Absolute Underground Magazine - Picture of the Week - http://absoluteunderground.ca/2009/08/picture-of-the-week/

Aug 19, 2009- Altsounds.com -http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/110155-record-breaking-skydiving-tattoo-accomplished-by-surefire-machine-guitarist.html

Aug 19, 2009 - Bandweblogs - http://bandweblogs.com/blog/2009/08/19/zeke-galt-surefire-machine-record-breaking-skydiving-tattoo-pictures/

Aug 18, 2009 - PureGrainAudio.com - News - http://www.puregrainaudio.com/news/skydiving-tattoo-accomplished-by-surefire-machine-guitarist

Aug 16, 2009 - GWN - http://www.gwntertainment.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65&Itemid=11&25382f4ff50f542d597940c0c52e4fc4=cc53f3eea630b2420846ff3a8dc25e53

Aug 12, 2009 - The Metal Observer - Album Review - http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=6&id=16534

Aug 10 2009 - PunkMeUp.com - Interview - http://www.punkmeup.com/musique/index.php?section=entrevues&artist=2800&date=2009-08-11

Aug 1, 2009 - Metal UnderGround - News - http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=46816

July 30, 2009 - Altsounds (Uk) - News - http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/109452-surefire-machine-guitarist-s-second-attempt-to-pull-a-jackass.html#post121330

July 30, 2009 - PureGrainAudio- News - http://www.puregrainaudio.com/news/surefire-machine-guitarist-second-attempt-to-tatto-while-skydiving

July 30, 2009 - ExploreMusic - WTF? Section - http://www.exploremusic.com/wtf/2009-07-30/Surefire-Machine-Guitarist-Reschedules-Skydiving-Tattoo-Stunt

July 30, 2009 - Band Weblogs - News - http://bandweblogs.com/blog/2009/07/31/surefire-machine-guitarist-zeke-to-attempt-skydiving-tattoo-at-10000-ft/

July 20, 2009 - Nightmare Radio Interview - http://www.divshare.com/download/7960252-2c0

July 10, 2009 � RockandRollReport.com � Album review - http://rockandrollreport.com/index.php?s=surefire+machine

July 8 2009 � Nanaimo News Bulletin � Brawl Leads to Music Partnership - http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_central/nanaimonewsbulletin/entertainment/50274437.html

July 7, 2009 - Cosmosgaming - News - http://www.cosmosgaming.com/?id=864336

July 7, 2009-MetalCentre.com � NEWS - http://www.metalcentre.com/webzine.php?p=news&nr=5951〈=eng

July 7, 2009 � Comox Valley Record - http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_north/comoxvalleyrecord/entertainment/50150787.html

July 3, 2009 � KomodRock.com � NEWS � http://www.komodorock.com/news/latest-news/surefire-machine-guitarist-pulls-a-jackass-with-skydiving-tattoo-2009070311885/

July 3, 2009 � Edmonton Metro � Interview w/ Zeke Galt
http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton/local/article/256002--rocker-ready-for-a-sky-high-ink-job

July 2, 2009 � ExploreMusic.com � WTF? NEWS �
http://www.exploremusic.com/wtf/2009-07-02/Surefire-Machine-Guitarist-Skydiving-From-10000-Ft-Getting-A-Tattoo

July 1, 2009 - Ragin Pit Magazine - http://www.raginpitmagazine.com/2237/the-shred-report-july-1st-2009/4/

July 2009 Issue – Absolute Underground Magazine Interview - pg 13 – http://absoluteunderground.ca/pdf/au_issue_28.pdf

June 23, 2009 – The Grind Vol XLVIII– Punkradiocast.com – Interview at 1h22mins - http://www.filefactory.com/file/ag9eade/n/The_Grind_Vol_XLVIII_mp3

June 24, 2009 – Fazer Magazine – Interview - http://www.fazermagazine.com/2009/06/24/an-interview-with-zeke-of-surefire-machine/

June 19, 2009 – Edmonton Sun – Interview - http://www.edmontonsun.com/entertainment/music/2009/06/19/9848166-sun.html

June 12, 2009 – ChartAttack.com – Interview - http://www.chartattack.com/news/70881/rocker-getting-tattoo-while-skydiving

June 10, 2009 – The RM Outlook – Interview http://www.albertalocalnews.com/rockymountainoutlook/entertainment/47735812.html

June 9, 2009 – The Banff Crag and Canyon - Interview http://www.banffcragandcanyon.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1604811

June 8, 2009 – MetalMundus.pl (Poland) – News - http://www.metalmundus.pl/news.php?readmore=2279

June 8, 2009 – PureGrainAudio.com – NEWS - http://www.puregrainaudio.com/news/surefire-machine-to-combine-tattooing-skydiving-10000ft-on-july-4

June 8, 2009 – MetalExpressRadio.com – NEWS - http://www.metalexpressradio.com/menu.php?main=news&id=7226

June 8, 2009 – Uncharted Sounds.com – pg 20& 21 June2009 ISSUE – www.unchartedsounds.com

May 28, 2009 – Fridae TV – One Way Ticket ( Live) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDiIXjrFDiI
Fridae TV – Hot Leaded Woman (Live) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNtInXUZp6o

May 15, 2009 – Rock AssDick Blog – NEWS - http://rockassdick.blogspot.com/2009/05/surefire-machine-canadian-tour-dates.html

May 14, 2009 – Altsounds.com – NEWS - http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/107514-surefire-machine-announce-canadian-tour.html?highlight=surefire+machine

May 12, 2009 – MetalUnderground.com – NEWS - http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=44606

May 12, 2009 – MetalExpressRadio.com – NEWS - http://www.metalexpressradio.com/menu.php?main=news&id=7090

March 15, 2009 – BANG BANG BLOG– Album Review - http://bangbangblog.com/surefire-machine-surefire-machine/

February 13, 2009 – HardRockHideOut – Fresh New Blood - http://hardrockhideout.com/2009/02/13/hrh-fresh-blood-featuring-surefire-machine/

February 11, 2009 - Y108 – Hamilton – Get Hammered – Radio Interview - http://www.divshare.com/download/6643913-c36

February 10, 2009 – HMTV Canada – Interview - http://www.divshare.com/download/6614237-46c

January 14, 2009 – PunkradioCast Blog - http://www.punkradiocast.com/blog/?p=471

January 10, 2009 –SnobMusic Blog – Album Review - http://www.snobsmusic.net/2009/01/surefire-machine-surefire-machine-album.html

January 9, 2009 - TorontoMusic Scene.com – Album Review - http://www.torontomusicscene.ca/cd-dvd-reviews/cd-review-surefire-machine-surefire-machine.html

December 9, 2008 –The Movementz.com – Album Review http://www.themovementz.com/content/view/265/

November 28, 2008 – BraveWords.com – NEWS - http://www.bravewords.com/news/101745

November 10, 2008 – Altsounds.com – Album Review - http://hangout.altsounds.com/reviews/102944-surefire-machine-surefire-machine-album.html

November 4, 2008 – The Link – Concordia Student Newspaper (Montreal) – Album Review
http://thelinknewspaper.com/articles/447

November 2008 – Adrenalin Metal Union.com – Album Review - http://www.adrenalinmetalunion.com/reviews.html#S




INTERVIEW – ALTSOUNDS.COM (UK) INSPIRE ME SECTION – OCTOBER 16, 2008
http://hangout.altsounds.com/interviews/102107-inspire-me-surefire-machine.html


INTERVIEW – THE LINK – MONTREAL OCTOBER 14, 2008
http://www.thelinknewspaper.com/articles/318


RADIO INTERVIEW – CJSW 90.9 FM – CALGARY – SEPTEMBER 26, 2008

ALBUM REVIEW – ALTSOUNDS.COM (UK) – SEPTEMEBER 26, 2008
http://hangout.altsounds.com/reviews/101357-surefire-machine.html


ALBUM REVIEW – FAZER MAGAZINE – SEPTEMBER 19, 2008
http://www.fazer.ca/2008/09/19/1548/

ALBUM REVIEW – BEOWULF WEBZINE – SEPTEMBER 14, 2008 - http://www.beowolfproductions.com/MusicReviewsSept08.html



INTERVIEW – THE GATEWAY – EDMONTON, AB – SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
http://www.thegatewayonline.ca/image/2008/09/10/surefire-machine


INTERVIEW – VUE WEEKLY – EDMONTON, AB – SEPTEMBER 11, 2008
http://www.vueweekly.com/article.php?id=9606



NEWS COVERAGE – METAL UNDERGROUND.COM – SEPTEMBER 8, 2008


NEWS COVERAGE – CHARTATTACK.COM – SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
http://www.chartattack.com/news/59937/surefire-machine-prep-tour

ALBUM REVIEW – COSMOSGAMING.COM – SEPTEMEBER 2, 2008
http://www.cosmosgaming.com/articles.php?id=1526&articletype=review

INTERVIEW – GOLDEN STAR – GOLDEN, BC – AUGUST 28, 2008
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/thegoldenstar/community/26881294.html


NEWS POSTING – HARBOURLIVING.CA – AUGUST 11, 2008
http://www.harbourliving.ca/event/surefire-machinetoronto-playing-aug-22-nanaimo-the-cambie/2008-08-22/?pid=281278897ff85825dbd10ca7c6d57c2d

ABORT MAGAZINE – NEWS – AUGUST 7, 2008
http://abortmag.com/?p=1854

ALBUM REVIEW – ALLSCHOOLS- GERMANY – AUGUST 7, 2008
http://www.allschools.de/recordReview.php3?ID=49806



- SureFire Machine Press

SUREFIRE MACHINE – Surefire Machine

Independent

And the crowd goes wild! The canned audience at the beginning of this CD made me laugh, but luckily that was the cheesiest thing about the album. Surefire Machine is a straight up, no gimmicks rock n' roll band from Toronto. They have names like Rail Road Wilson, Bones Bowman and Jonny Fantastic (who lives up to the moniker) so you know they can't be bad. A catchy chorus here and a mean riff there, this album is alcohol fueled with dreams of fast cars and raunchy bad girls. Just listen to the song "Hot Leaded Woman" and you'll understand. It's an eight-song affair, but still runs over 30 minutes. Production is clean, and the album looks pretty professional. Who'd o' thunk it when all the songs are about guzzling whiskey, dirty girls and driving fast cars? I'm hoping at least one of these guys drives a bitchin' El Camino.

-Denis Maile - Absolute Underground

http://www.themovementz.com/content/view/265/

Written by Jessica Rodriguez
Tuesday, 09 December 2008

When I sat down in my quiet kitchen to have a listen at the new, self-titled, Surefire Machine EP nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to hear.

The opening track, "One Way Ticket", instantly made me think of the notoriously famous band Metallica. It wasn't just the crazy intricate drum beats and the hungry, powerful guitar riffs that caught my attention, but the raspy guttural voice of lead singer Rail Road Wilson that is so reminiscent of James Hetfield's. Filled with anger and an unstoppable energy, Wilson's voice instantly transported me from my tiny immaculate kitchen to a dark, crowded bar room, speakers pounding and a fight hanging in mid-air.
But Surefire is not just a loud, heavy rock group. They have managed to successfully fuse the BC metal and rockabilly influences from Wilson and Zeke with the alternative, classic rock upbringing of Toronto natives Jonny Fantastic and Bones Bowman. With tracks like "Not Me" and "Walking Tall" they prove their versatility as musicians to stretch the limits of what their audience expects of them, producing melodic, catchy songs that are hard to categorize into a specific genre.
The killer guitar solos in 69 Nove and Not Me showcase Wilson's and Zeke's incredible talent and natural ability to transform clean, linear melodies into soulful, intricate note patterns. Round it off with sudden changes in drum beats, tempos and base lines and you've got an album that, while maintaining a coherent theme and sound, will surprise the unsuspecting. Surefire has managed to create an unpredictable Molotov cocktail of rock.
If you're looking for an album that will get your heart pumping, your blood racing and your adrenaline flowing, this is most definitely it. A gritty, in-your-face delivery that is sure to be the soundtrack to more than a couple of bar room brawls. But don't make the mistake of thinking these boys will fade into the bar scene. Surefire Machine has more than one trick up their sleeve and they'll catch you off-guard when you least expect it. To learn more about Surefire visit their website www.surefiremachine.com or check out their MySpace page at www.myspace/surefiremachine .
- The Movementz

CD Review: Surefire Machine - Surefire Machine
Surefire Machine By: TJ Liebgott
January 9, 2009

WARNING: Repeated listening of Surefire Machine's self-titled album may lead you to drink whiskey, get your girlfriend pregnant and rebel against every aspect of society.

With their crunchy, grooving guitar riffs and songs about drugs, cars and hot leaded women, Surefire Machine is that perfect combination of punk and metal (back before people started putting a "NÜ" in front) with just a hint of southern twang.

Surefire Machine is a the kind of band you would bust out your leather jacket for a Saturday night at The Bovine. There are a few minor misses on the album, but overall this CD is balls deep in the trenches of Rock N' Roll. Standout tracks include "Papparazzi," "69 Nova" and "Hot Leaded Woman." Anyone whose ever wondered what 80's metal and hard-rock would sound like with more emphasis on rock and less on hair products should definitely check this album out.

For more info on Surefire Machine and obtaining your own copy of their CD go to: http://www.surefiremachine.com/

(4 out of 5) - Toronto Music Scne

Nov 4, 2008

Surefire Machine
Self Titled EP - Surefire Machine
http://www.thelinknewspaper.ca/articles/447

I’ve been searching for a great rock album that isn’t from the ‘80s, but to no avail. When I put on SFM’s self-titled album I couldn’t help but grin—I finally found one! The tracks deal with the classic pillars of rock, booze and women, but in a way that’s original and refreshing. The sound and mood change from hardcore rock to a bluesy, mellow sound and back again in a fashion that is pure musical genius. The guys even manage to make a harmonica (which makes a guest appearance in “Paparazzi”) sound dirty and very rock n’ roll. The lyrics, including my favourite tongue-twister chorus of “Blue Bloods (Bleed Red),” will grip you like nobody’s business and won’t let go until the last track. At which point you’re bound to press ‘play’ again. I like to think of SFM as the perfect marriage of Alice Cooper (in his Trash days) and Motley Crue, resulting in a supernova of rock and male pompousness (check out “Walking Tall”) that no rock fan or, on second thought, no sane person could resist. The one downside? There are only eight tracks and I simply need more SFM!
4.5/5
—Barbara Pavone

October 14, 2008
Surefire winners

Canada’s own Surefire Machine is gaining fans around the world with its new dirty rock album

by Barbara Pavone

Surefire Machine will be performing in Montreal next Wednesday at Bar St. Laurent.

The founding members of Surefire Machine met in an unconventional way that should have resulted in bruises rather than a band—they got in a brawl. Four years later and the guys of SFM have just released a third album that would make their idols, Motorhead and Lynard Skynyrd, proud.

That first crucial, if somewhat bizarre, encounter of vocalist Rail Road Wilson and guitarist Zeke occurred in 2004 at a party in Golden, B.C. Zeke was talking about his passion for “getting in scraps so, [Wilson] came over and introduced himself,” and they fought “for no reason,” recalls Zeke. Once both were too exhausted to continue they “realized [they’re] the same kind of person and [they] should be doing business.” The twosome went on to work together at a strip club, typical rock stars, until they decided “it’s not for [them] and [they] should be in music.” They filled in the missing links with bassist Bones Bowman and drummer Jonny Fantastic and have been unstoppable ever since.

Originally named TarBender the band was forced to look for a new name because theirs was already being used in L.A. After some time “trying to force a name [they] decided it would come [to them],” explains Zeke, and they were right. The epiphany occurred one day when they arrived at their rehearsal space and “on the door […] there was a picture of a guitar and it said 77 Surefire Machine.” The sketch their friend had drawn was a clear sign and SFM was born.

The group’s latest album, simply entitled Surefire Machine, is filled with songs from “life […] our day-to-day” reveals the guitarist. Their signature rockabilly-metal sound is back but asked to compare the album to their past release, Don’t Drink Any More, Don’t Drink Any Less, Zeke explains that this time around they’re “more together and more focused.” They got the chance to work with producer Jon Nazario (who’s worked with Nelly Furtado and Jack Johnson) and be in a “big studio […] a lot of money was invested.”

Their approach to music has also evolved. In the past they “were drunk the whole time and didn’t care” but now, they’ve “realized [they] need to be more serious but, [Zeke pauses] not too serious.”

It’s all paying off now with the album getting rave reviews in far-away lands such as Germany and with their “family and friends pushing it around the U.K.”

Their pre-show ritual is a simple one that matches their rocker personalities; “couple of shots of Jack Daniel’s or Jager […] and a couple of beers. That’s it.” Perhaps that explains Zeke’s personal favourite and “very rock and roll,” moment on tour; “our last show in Calgary [Wilson] puked on stage after the first line of the first song.” After pointing out that Wilson may not be too pleased when he reads this Zeke laughs, “He’s not the one doing the interview!”

Surefire Machine bring their “Rock For Your Big Block Tour” to Montreal Oct. 22 at Bar St. Laurent 2 (5550 St Laurent) For tickets call 514-273-2359.

http://www.thelinknewspaper.com/articles/318 - The Link - Montreal