Tin Machine
Following a creative nadir in the mid-80s, David Bowie launched a new ‘back to basics’ band in May 1989. The twin guitar, bass, and drum driven Tin Machine consist of Bowie (vocals/guitar), Reeves Gabrels (b. Boston, Massachusetts, USA; guitar), and Tony and Hunt Sales in the rhythm section. The band has proved to be much more blues and rock orientated than Bowie had been for a considerable time. Tony and Hunt Sales are the sons of US children's television host Soupy Sales whose television series THE SOUPY SALES SHOW ran for several years in the late '50s and early '60s. In addition, he hosted a teenage dance programme called SOUPY'S SODA SHOP. His sons started out playing in bands in the '60s, notably Tony And The Tigers. They then became an in demand rhythm section either together or with other partners. Between them they have played for artists/bands including Todd Rundgren, Utopia, Chequered Past, but more significantly they both played alongside David Bowie on Iggy Pop's LUST FOR LIFE; thus a prototype Tin Machine was tested as early as 1977. Gabrels had previously played with Bowie in 1988 (having met him when both were working with the dance group La La La Human) and before that had spells with Life On Earth, Rubber Rodeo, the Bent Men, and the Atom Said. Session work includes spells for David Lynch, the Mission and Deaf School. They made their live debut on 31 May 1989 at the International Music Awards in New York. After an initial tour and album, they were put on hold while Bowie embarked on The Sound And Vision World Tour 1990; which he claims will be his last. Tin Machine were then resurrected for a second stab with a considerable promotional push, which seems to have failed just as convincingly as before, and once again the project seems to have been placed in doubt.