Does this Rochester based, Metal powerhouse sound familiar to anyone? Hate Machine is back, and as a longtime fan and performer, 
Iam here to tell you that they are here to stay. This band has been through it all, from National tours to record deals, to breaking up. Any fan of Hate Machine knew that they wouldn’t be out of the game forever. Now here they are, “back from the dead”, to give our music scene a much needed swift kick right in the fucking ass!!! If you are into straight up, in your face, good old ass kicking metal, then do yourself a favor and check these guys out. Better yet, go see them live and catch a show with passion, intensity and all out aggression. Watch their fans; rabidly sing every word to every song. Impressive!
Hate machine is:
Jeremy “Jed” Seaver- Vocals
Al Dettori- Guitar
Jimmy “Black” Draudt- Bass
Donny Weissinger- Guitar
Mike Polito- Drums
I had the chance to catch up with Jed to talk about what’s going on in the world of Hate Machine, and what is in store for 2012.
Jason: Explain what it took for Hate Machine to land a record deal, and the events to follow?
Jed: Well, Basically Hate Machine toiled around locally and regionally for a few years touring in support of our first cd “Its All Good”. We gained alot of press/publicity from that cd. I think the year was 1996 maybe 1997..not sure. We changed some members around and wrote and put out our EP Destination 2KH8 in 1998. This EP is what started all the label interest for us. We hired a few different promotions company to push the single off that EP, Hasben?, to active college radio stations across the country. We had the #1 most added song on active college radio that year. We were charting from here to Alaska. No kidding. Of course, like wolves, labels came out of the woodwork to find out what was the deal with us. We showcased many times in NYC and Los Angeles for various labels trying to land the right deal, I guess you could say. Not that we landed the right deal. lol. We ended up signing a deal with a fledgling label named QED Entertainment (which changed their name to Summa) out of Los Angeles. They had distribution through Elektra Records and had just got a band named the Deadlights signed to Elektra and placed on the Ozzfest. We thought we were going to be the next “Ozzfest” band. We ended up moving to Los Angeles to record our major label debut. This was 2000. When we got out to L.A. and started writing this new record our sound changed drastically. In the meantime, our bass player and drummer quit. With no drummer and bass player we had to adapt. Drum tracks were added to the album and our producer played bass on the record. The band changed it’s name to Omniblank. The album became “Birth of a FIrefly”. When the album was done, we came back home to Rochester to find replacement members. The album went over well here locally, but in hindsight I think it alienated old school Hate Machine fans. Because, quite frankly, it wasn’t Hate Machine. It wasn’t raw, it wasn’t aggressive..it just wasn’t what we originally were. Now, don’t get me wrong..the Omniblank album (in my eyes) holds up to this day. It’s a great sounding album. Again, it just wasn’t Hate Machine. So, we ended up touring the country in support of the Firefly record, with little to no support from the label. They boned us. As it turned out, they had zero distribution. Other labels, big labels, wanted to partner up with them and release “Firefly” globally, but QED’s asking price was too high. These guys wanted to get rich off our deal! We were too naive and caught up in other things to realize what was going on. In the meantime, I was having some personal battles and decided it was the best for me if I just walked away. So thats essentially how the band broke up.
Jason: What were the motivating factors in you guys coming back? How has the music scene changed?
Jed: I decided to put Hate Machine back together because I am a performer. I tried my hand at some cover bands the last few years because I missed the stage, man. But it just wasn’t the same. There is nothing else in the world better than performing your own material. So, I contacted Al and asked him if he wanted to get together for one last hurrah. That was our August Water St show this past summer. But, Al started showing me all this material he had written that needed vocals. It was Hate Machine! Sounded like Hate Machine, felt like Hate Machine. I couldn’t let this music die.
I am not entirely sure how the scene has changed. I do miss some of the good old days though. In the old days you would go to a show and you would go to check out all the bands. You would meet up with friends and make a night of it. Now, people show up for one band! And the whole time they are there they are texting, tweeting, facebooking..whatever. It’s sad.
Jason: As a frontman, I always pay close attention to every bands singer. You are like a fuckin’ man possessed when you are on the stage. No one can deny the energy and passion. I really respect that. What turns the screws for this level of intensity? Who are some of your influences?
Jed: I dont know man…lol. I grew up watching Phil Anselmo, Scott Weiland, Eddie Vedder…guys that felt whatever they were singing. I think in order to own it, you have to feel it. It’s not an act, I don’t plan it out. It just happens. A light goes on and it’s showtime man. I give my blood, sweat and tears. I believe it. And in turn I think the audience does as well.
Jason: As a band, will the musical direction change at all? Why or why not?
Jed: The musical direction has changed because we have all evolved as musicians and performers. Things aren’t as basic as they may have been on the Its All Good record. Plus, here’s the kicker..we have zero pressure! We aren’t trying to get a deal, or become rock stars, or get on the Ozzfest, or impress chicks..we are doing it because it’s fun and we love to do it.
Jason: Tell us what Hate Machine has in store for 2012. Album? Tour?
Jed: Hate Machine will be releasing a new EP this spring tentatively titled “Bring in the Butcher”. Look for shows from us regionally every 4-6 weeks. We are looking to breathe a little bit of life into the local scene. Help some younger bands out and meet up with lots of old friends.
Jason: With all that you have accomplished in Hate Machine, what advice would you give to the young musicians out there, trying to make it to the top?
Jed: Honestly? Is there even a top these days? The best way to do it nowadays is all internet based. Give your music away for free. People are too hard strapped for cash to plop down money on cd’s from artists they don’t know. Press some 3 song sample discs and give those bad boys away to everybody and their brother, jack. Get the word out. Use reverbnation, facebook and all the social media sites. Play every show again, for money or not, and bring it everytime!
Jason: You were an integral part from the late 90’s to now in putting/keeping Rochester on the map in the Metal scene. Who are some of the bands from the area that you enjoy watching/performing with?
Jed: Well..we are somewhat new to the new scene. lol. I enjoy your band, Nine Round. I really dig Armed with Valor. Steph and those boys are coming on strong. Cry to the Blind has some nice stuff going on. On the old school tip..check out Burn Everything and Pipe.
Check out the following sites for Hate Machine info:
www.hatemachineny.com
www.reverbnation.com/h8machine
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hate-Machine/134482483249840
www.deadroc.com
-Jason Acevedo
Few bands in the Upstate New York underground scene have enjoyed the type of success that Binghamton’s Dropclutch has seen in recent years. It is not difficult to say with certainty that these guys have put together a blueprint for success that many will undoubtedly emulate.