Members
Select a Tin Machine band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.
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Roles:
Groups:
David Bowie (band) The Spiders from Mars Davie Jones & The King Bees The King-Bees David Bowie With The Lower Third The Astronettes Tao Jones Index The Hype David Bowie & The Hype Bewlay Bros. David Bowie & The Buzz The Konrads The Arnold Corns Davy Jones & The Lower Third The Manish Boys The Riot Squad -
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About
Tin Machine was a rock supergroup formed in 1988, fronted by the legendary David Bowie as a temporary departure from his solo career. The band included Reeves Gabrels (guitar), known for his experimental approach, and the Sales brothers, Tony (bass) and Hunt Sales (drums), who added a robust and dynamic rhythm section. Tin Machine's music is characterized by its raw, metallic sound, setting it apart from Bowie's more polished solo efforts. Their style, rooted in the rock genre, offered a mix of hard-edged riffs and introspective lyrics, challenging the conventions of mainstream rock at the time.
How to Sound Like Tin Machine
Tin Machine's sound is aggressive and gritty, with a focus on feedback-heavy guitar work and driving rhythms. The dirty, distorted tones of Gabrels' guitar often create a sonic landscape that is both chaotic and compelling, using effects like the BearFoot FX Pale Green Compressor to shape his dynamic range. Bowie's guitar work, sometimes performed on a Fender Telecaster or the unique Steinberger David Bowie Custom L-Series, adds a layer of melodic complexity, while Tony Sales' bass lines, played on a B.C. Rich Mockingbird Bass, provide a solid, thundering foundation. The overall vibe is raw and punchy, often leaning into a garage-rock ethos that emphasizes energy and spontaneity over precision. Tin Machine's music thrives on this visceral intensity, making distortion and unconventional song structures key to capturing their sound.
Discography
Get the Tin Machine Sound
Want to sound like Tin Machine? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.
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