By: Chris Stead

Formed in Florida and sleeping with dreams of world domination, Man and Machines is a group ready to take you on a ride. They have blended mechanical sounds with a male/female vocal duality that is perfection. Born in 2000, the Man and Machines concept was developed out of Ricki Guns’ desire to make electronic music, and eventually Angi, his sister, got involved in the project.

At first glance, it would look as though Man and Machines is borrowing from the Combichrist look, but with any deeper inspection, it becomes clear that, although both are generally horror-electro, Man and Machines is offering something new and different. Alluring but at the same time frightening, if you can’t get enough horror in your life, they’ll give it to you in spades. They are ready to conquer the world, so the world had better make ready for them.
GAW: How did Man and Machines form?

Ricki Gunz: Man and Machines formed as a name for all the electro/industrial/techno mixes that I made back in early 2000-2001 from my computer just messing around. I let some friends here the mixes and they
were like “you should play out with this its not bad “. I hadn’t even planned to go live with it anytime soon, but I decided to do a live mixing show in Oct 2001 opening for Projekt Records “Mira” In Tallahassee, FL.
That was basically the birth of Man and Machines.

*Angi Gunz: I helped Ricki out for the first shows, given that I was his sister and he needed some help with lights and such : ) Slowly I started doing more on stage, getting more comfortable, and progressing to the role I have now of singer and lyric writer.

GAW: How did you come up with the name Man and Machines?

Ricki Gunz: Well it took me a few days to come up with a name. I was in a hurry and was going to get some local airplay in Tallahassee on a college radio station. I wanted a name that fused the entire meaning
and relationship between human and machine. The perfect name was Man and Machines.

GAW: Considering all of the groups and artists that have played with (HuG, Psyclon Nine, Razed in Black and Terrorfakt), how have their listeners received you?

Ricki Gunz: Well we have had great response with these audiences. We are starting to see an overwheliming interest in our music and the message we are trying to convey.
The turnout has been great for shows this year as well.

*Angi Gunz: Every band we have ever played has been a different style and had a different message to send. Even if you don’t like industrial, our lyrics and live show is what we pride ourselves on. Fans from every show have mentioned something about those factors.

GAW: How did your sound develop?

Ricki Gunz: Well I started listening to The Prodigy back in the late nintes and was emersed in the whole electronic music scene. I found this kind of music utterly
fascinating and learned all I could about what equipment the Prodigy or Chemical Brothers used and read countless magazines learning about synthesizers and sampling.
Later on I started to get into old school industrial stuff such as Skinny Puppy, Frontline Assembly,Leatherstrip, Front 242 and Meat Beat Manifesto. I leaned more towards
the computer for mixing and some hardware even though I couldn’t afford hardly any equipment at the time. Man and Machines sound is a fusion of Old School Industrial
mixed with ebm and electronica styles.

GAW: What are your main influences?

Ricki Gunz: So many to list but the main ones are in no particular order.
Meat Beat Manifesto, The Prodigy, Front 242, Frontline Assembly, Hocico, Nine Inch Nails, Caberat Voltaire, Leatherstrip, KMFDM and so many more.

Life influences would be life, death, heartbreak, brutality and the whole reason for human existence.

*Angi Gunz: Since Ricki does all of the programming, my job is to write lyrics to the music and then give it life on stage. Lyrically, I am inspired by political and social issues, and musicians that have had the balls to go there. Siouxsie and the Banshees, Skinny Puppy, Atari Teenage Riot…

GAW: Tell us about the movie that you are performing for, “Reaper. “

Ricki Gunz: Well we did the shoot about a week ago and it was a great experience. Basically the plot is a kid is lost and depressed and kills himself.
The kid sees us perform in a dive bar alittle time before he dies. He winds up in the purgatory level of hell and the whole plot is him finding his way
back to earth. Sort of a Sci-Fi/Horror/Drama mix. He sees us perform again in hell which is the club in a more horrific state. I am also going to be
involved in the soundtrack for the movie with four tracks in it as well as doing a fight scene sequence. The movie is far from done and is an independent film
and the director is going to figure out how to market it. The footage so far is pretty amazing so I can’t wait till the final product.

GAW: How did you get involved with the producers for “Reaper?”

Ricki Gunz: Well I was actually emailed by Joshua himself. He said our look was perfect for the movie since live we have a pretty visual and
somewhat disturbing look onstage. When we talked about the movie our ideas meshed perfectly.

GAW: When can we expect a full-length release from Man and Machines?

Ricki Gunz: Well as far as a full-length release we are working on 11 tracks for a full cd. We are holding out to get the right deal from a record label and/or distributer to release it on. We just want to do as many shows, festivals and promo stuff while holding out for the right deal. So hopefully soon!

GAW: Are you looking into any record distribution deals?

Ricki Gunz: We are looking into a few labels already and will send off our promo kit once its finished.
GAW: Regarding your live shows, do you have plans for a tour any time soon?

Ricki Gunz: Well for touring we are actually planning a small 2007 fall tour. We are doing the Masque and Veil Music festival in Arkansas with the Last Dance and Ego Likeness
In Sept so that will be a big show as well as numerous shows planned for the southeast. Hopefully we will be able to come up to the northeast as well.

GAW: What areas of the US have you played in so far?

Ricki Gunz: So far we have played most the major cities in Florida drawing a sizable crowd so we hope to do the same with the rest of the US so get ready peoples we are coming to your town!

GAW: Is there anything else that you would like our readers to know about Man and Machines?

Ricki Gunz: We would like to thank all the readers who are fans of Man and Machines and who are with us with our dream and music direction. We have big plans made for our music and we appreciate all the help and support of the industrial/electro scene. Our path has just begun.

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Blood, Guts, Rhythm and Steel
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Cities in Dust