Machinations

MACHINATIONS - the 1980’s most danceable electro-funk combo are back With their steamy, rhythmic gigs. The BIG WEEKEND tour that started in early 2025, is extended to another big weekend on 13 and 14 June at one of the band’s favourite venues – The Bridge Hotel in Rozelle.

With lively original frontman Fred Loneragan, and original lead guitarist Tim Doyle, MACHINATIONS are still pumping out a true 80s synth pop sound.  Fred, with his unmistakable voice and energetic stage presence really gets the crowd going again and Tim is shredding it on guitar with Nile Rodgers inspired funky sounds mixed with rockin’ solos that have the audience roaring. On drums for the past ten years is Adrian Cannon (Kevin Borich, Rupert B Funkified Filth) who brings his own stylish beats to the band along with some great vocal harmonies.  New to the band is Tim’s son, Larry Doyle, a second-generation MACHINATION. Larry is a classically trained pianist with a great ear for 80s synth sounds and he adds a new level of sonic dynamism to the band after original keyboard player Tony Starr sadly passed away in 2021. On bass is Craig Hooper from THE REELS as original bass player Nero Swan is off pursuing his own projects.  Craig is an extraordinary musician, an 80s legend, and with Craig on stage, MACHINATIONS have a good excuse to include a couple of Reels numbers in the set list.

  

In 2025 MACHINATIONS took their Big Weekend tour to Geelong, Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane and now they are back for ‘more’ at The Bridge in June.   Playing from their fantastic catalogue of hits, audiences can expect to hear the iconic 80s anthem **_Pressure Sway_** the top ten hit **_No Say in It_** along with their first single **_Average Inadequacy_** and crowd favourites **_Do to You_**, **_Got me Going Again_**, **_Jumping the Gap_** and **_Hearts on Fire_**.  Tickets are available from moshtix.com.au

  

It all started in the summer of 1979 when guitarist Tim Doyle and keyboardist Tony Starr started writing songs with a drum machine.  They were Joined by vocalist Fred Loneragan fresh home from 12 months in London. The band played their first show at the infamous ‘Garibaldis’ in East Sydney in March 1980, with a sound combining post-punk, modern funk and moody jazz fused with a relentless rhythmic itch. The band soon added bass player Nero Swan and before long were recording in 2JJ’s 221 Studio, and then with Lobby Loyde in Trafalgar Studios.

The result of this collaboration was the seminal first single **_Average Inadequacy_** and the **_Machinations of Dance_** EP, both released on Phantom Records in the summer of 1981. With the support of 2JJJ both releases received wide airplay and increased the bands following. MACHINATIONS quickly built a national reputation and were signed to Mushroom Records’ White Label.

  

In 1983 the film clip for the single **_Jumping the Gap_** came second to Michael Jackson’s _Thriller_ at the prestigious US Industrial Film Festival.

  

Their first Album **_Esteem_** was recorded and produced with Lobby Loyde in the summer of 1983, with a late addition of **_Pressure Sway_** recorded at Alberts Studios, produced by Dunlop & Brown. _Pressure Sway_ blazed a trail nationally and had chart success across the US West Coast on the A&M label, reaching #1 in the  US Billboard Dance Charts.

  

The band added drummer Warren McLean and Naomi Star on backing vocals. In 1985 they joined with producer Julian Mendelsohn (Kate Bush, Frankie goes to Hollywood, Art of Noise) to record their second album **_Big Music_** at EMI and Rhinoceros Studios.

  

‘Big’ became the buzz word and the album spawned four BIG singles: **_No Say In It_**, **_My Hearts on Fire_**, **_You Got Me Going Again_** and **_Execution of Love_**

_Big Music_ was released in the US on CBS Empire Records and _No Say In It_ appeared on the soundtrack to the Bette Midler/Danny Devito movie _Ruthless People_ which also featured Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Lionel Richie  and Darryl Hall.

  

The band toured extensively through ’84 and ’85 after which Naomi moved to the US to marry Frank Zappa’s drummer and Warren left to join Aussie Rock icons _Divinyls_. MACHINATIONS added new members John Mackay (drums) Jenny Andrews (backing vocals) and a brass section led by Ralph Franke (sax).

  

MACHINATIONS recorded their third album **_Uptown_** in New York with US producer Andy Wallace (Jeff Buckley, Run DMC, Beastie Boys, The Cult and Prince). The album features singles: **_Do To You_**_, **Intimacy**, **Do It To Me**_ and **_Cars and Planes._**

  

After returning from the US and a short Australian tour, singer Fred Loneragan suffered a broken neck in a hit and run accident whilst riding his bicycle. The long hiatus as Fred recovered led to the band members moving on to other things and whilst they never formally broke up, they didn’t play a gig together for about another ten years.

  

In the early 2000s MACHINATIONS began playing sporadically around the country – their infectious beat and ear-worm melodies have always been, and are still, at the forefront of innovative sounds in contemporary Australian music.

Machinations

Event Description

Machinations - Big Weekend Tour

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