User:Arronshutt/Sandbox

ZubZub are a psychedelic dance music group, based in London, UK. ZubZub play music that covers a wide variety of dance music styles such as drum and bass, strong techno, breakbeats and dub. This fusion of dance styles coupled with ethnic instruments has given rise to the unique "zubsound" from the group. ZubZub was formed by Zia Geelani (ex-bass guitarist with the Ozric Tentacles) and regularly features contributing musicians from groups such as Ozric Tentacles, Dream Machine,Eat Static and Here & Now on albums and during live performances.

History
The name Dream Machine came from a dream that Gabriele Tosti experienced. The first names considered for the group were "The Omenoid" and then "Blue Land of Dreams". This was then shortened to "Land of Dreams" as the first working title. After further consideration "Dream Machine" was chosen as Gabriele felt it was a more progressive title for the fledgling group. The name "Land of Dreams" was reused to describe a musical collaboration with Gabriele Tosti and Gavin Griffiths (ex-guitarist for the Ozric Tentacles) that continues today.

Early Years
Dream Machine was formed from a group of musicians who were interested in creating a new progressive space rock group in 2002. The group comprised of the members Gabriele Tosti (guitar), Farley Brian (drums), Julian Adamoli (piano and organ), Tom Harris (on saxophone), Dan (scratch DJ) and Buzzo (on bass Guitar).

Farley Brian moved on from the group in 2002. Farley was an accomplished designer and VJ featuring at large dance venues. He left to focus on these activities and Dream Machine found a replacement percussionist in the form of the former Ozric Tentacles percussionist Rad.

The first formal public performance of Dream Machine was for a benefit gig for the War Child charity held at the Pullens Centre in Kennington, South London in January 2003. This event was one of a number of events that culminated in the Stop the War protest in Central London in February. The original lineup at this event was Gabriele Tosti on guitar, Buzzo on bass, Jules Adamoli on piano and organ, Dan as scratch DJ, James on Sax and Rad on drums.

Rad was a established band member by in October 2003 playing in gigs at Camberwell and Peckham. Dream Machine then played several gigs at the Grove Tavern in Wimbledon starting December 2003 and at this time was joined by Alex Pym (former guitar player in Damidge). They were also joined on stage by the former Ozric Tentacles members, "Jumping" Jon Egan (on woodwind) and Seaweed (on synths) who added their talent and experience to the lineup. Finally, Tony D'Amico provided the vocals at this venue.

Shortly after the guest arrivals of the former Ozrics, Buzzo left to pursue music with the other band he was involved in and Gabriele changed to bass guitar to fill the hole.

Dream Machine continued with rehearsing and gigging for the few months until Dan left to concentrate on club DJing. Rad's presence as drummer was also sadly short lived - he moved out of London and left the group in April 2004. James also left around this time. Dream Machine were now looking for another percussionist to fill in after Rad's departure. Johnny Morgan from Senser filled in on drums temporarily. Maurizio Rossi, an Italian drummer from Rome joined the band as their new drummer in December 2004.

2006 to the Present Day
By 2006, Jon had formally joined the band as frontman and woodwind player, in a similar role to his two decades with the Ozric Tentacles. Seaweed was also invited to join as a permanent band member, but due to work commitments he was unable to do so.

Joie Hinton (a founding member of Ozric Tentacles, one half of Eat Static and member of Here & Now) also joined the band at this point to contribute his inimitable style of space rock keyboard playing.

The band played various gigs in 2006, including festival dates at Sunrise Solstice Celebration and Eastern Haze. At these festivals they were joined on stage by Mindflux (percussionist with ZubZub). Following these performances, he was invited to join the band as a full member and now adds synth and percussion as his contribution to the band.

Following the Eastern Haze festival, Maurizio decided to pursue a different musical path and stepped down by mutual agreement with Dream Machine. Metro (another former Ozric Tentacles percussionist) then took over as drummer. Unfortunately Metro had to move away from London and with other obligations he had with another band, he was unable to continue as percussionist.

In 2007, Steve Cassidy (formerly of Here & Now) was introduced as the band's new drummer, and debuted with Dream Machine at the 2007 Sunrise, Eastern Haze and Waveform 2007 festivals.

Reviews of Dream Machine performances for the 2007 festival season have been positive. Reviews from the eFestivals website praise Jon's performance at the Waveform festival - "..Jon's astonishing flute work, sorely missed from the latest incarnations of former band the Ozric Tentacles, was a delight for the aurals..". The review of the 2007 Sunrise Festival included - "..excellent musicians in great form..". They are also mentioned in the Eastern Haze review on eFestivals.co.uk.

The review of the 2006 Sunrise Festival on this site also said - "The most innovative and original space/fusion rock band around at the moment.".

2006 has been a good year for live zubzub, with shows at a number of festivals including The Glade Festival (sell out 3 day UK electronica event) and also bookings for Synergy, Tribe of Frog and Liquid Connective.{go and find some reviews}

Dream Machine continue to play frequent live performances and are presently working on material for their second album.

Dream Machine have been booked for the 2008 Wickerman Festival in Scotland, playing on the evening of Saturday 26 June2008.

Musical Influences
ZubZub has a wide range of dance music and rock influences including Squarepusher, Eat Static, Hallucinogen, Ozric Tentacles, Qawwali, ragga, Raï and bad pop music.

Band Members
The current band line up is:


 * Zia Geelani (Bass Guitar)
 * Mindflux (Guitar)
 * Alex Pym (Guitar)
 * Jon Egan (Flutes and Reeds)

The Powers That Beep.. (2008)
Trilogia is Dream Machine's debut album recorded over the Summer of 2005. This album was recorded at Husky's Studios and was developed from the material the band had been playing live. The original recording featured Gabriele, Alex, Jules and Maurizio. Jon Egan and Seaweed recorded their parts later and this complete recording was mixed by producer Stuart McLean into the finished album.

The album was launched on November 27, 2005 with a live gig at Bush Hall, London and featuring a psychedelic lightshow by Fruit Salad. This concert was filmed professionally and has been released as a live performance DVD. Trilogia has received a very positive 7 out of 10 review in Classic Rock magazine (February 2006). Trilogia has also received rave reviews from Progressive Rock internet sites.

Trilogia was also described as "Warm... organic... classic..." in Organ Zine (Dec/Jan 2006 issue).

The CD has recently had a limited re-release and has been well received by those who missed out on the original pressing in 2005.

Track listing
 "Invisible Maze" – 17:27 "Macchina Dread" – 16:46 "Logia Dei Sogni (in three parts)" – 29:08

 "Scoiattolo Volante" (The Flying Squirrel) "Above & Below" "Flying Carpet"  

Album Credits

 * Seaweed on synths
 * Champignon on kavals, nay, duduk and concert flute
 * Gabriele Tosti on bass
 * Maurizio Rossi on drums
 * Julian Adamoli on keyboards
 * Alex Pym on guitar

Philip Black isn't in the band, but he wanted to be famous on Wikipedia. And now he is! Especially as his brilliant Artwork is featured on the Dreammachineonline website.