WILD MACHINE

Wild Machine are:
Johny Hott – lead vocals
Billy Dagger – guitars, back vocals
John Yell – guitars, back vocals
Simon Key – bass
Chris Jones – drums

Wild Machine – Johny Hott: Star Star guys called me up and said ‘get ready to play in the center of Athens’
It was early Millennium, when a group of musicians would go on to become one of the most fascinating and glam bands of heavy metal music.
Firstly they change their name from ‘Warmachine’ to ‘Wild Machine’, then followed their numerous appearances in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Sofia etc.
The band, slowly transformed into a superstar group as they prove it with their hard work and their unique stage presence.
They truly are machines of heavy rock, with a little glam gold dust and their huge collaborations on stage with monsters of the music industry, such as Gilby Clarke (former Guns ‘n’ Roses), Star Star etc.
The live performances include the original compositions of Wild Machine and some covers by Kiss, Poison, Slade, Motley Crue, Tigertailz etc.
Followed, significant support for Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper band), Faster Pussycat, Skid Row and it was now time to create an album, which due to various commitments was delayed.
The creation started in 2009 and was completed in 2011 by Jay Messina in New York (sound engineer for Kiss, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick etc).
The debut album titled ‘Wild Machine II’ is released – due to the fact that two albums should be released during this time – from the American Perris Records (with names on its roster such as Helix, Love/Hate, Pretty Boy Floyd, etc.) in June 2012.
Wild Machine has stigmatized and strongly engraved in the memory and soul of the world music.
Followed a period of changes in the composition of the band and some drafts of songs began to be feverishly prepared.
In 2017, the recordings continued and in November of 2020 the 7″ vinyl ‘prize surprize/work it out’ is released by NuN records as a precursor to the new album.
The lead vocalist of Wild Machine Jonny Hott opened his heart and talked to us about everything we want to know about them in a exclusive interview.
Once upon a time Wildmachine band was born… contiue…
“And brought the glitter, glitz and glitch in the greek rock matrix wich still going on today…”
What role do wildmachine band play in your life?
“Trouble, fun and more trouble. And addiction on playing rock and roll in the flesh for more than 20 years!!”
What was the reason that your first album came out so late and why was the debut album called ‘Wild Machine II’?
“The name is ironic cause we should have already the debut out before 2012, i was living in another city out of Athens, before the release the lineup had changed, it was total chaos but we made it. You can remember those years, the pick of the greek financial crisis.”
What kind of memories do you have from your cooperation with Gilby Clarke and Star Star band?
“We were friends with the Star Star guys and hung out, they knew Gilby Clarke before joining Guns’n’Roses cause they lived in the same area in the 80s. I remember the story how that live show came out. At first it was announced to be in a local club in our neighborhood (Petroupolis-western Athens, in the same club Steven Adler had a gig back in 2003-04) and we where about to be the opening band. Star Star guys called me up and said ‘get ready to play in the center of Athens’, change of club, so even better.”
Describe to us the atmosphere that prevails at one of your live shows.
“Adrenaline, fun and everyone leaves with a smile i guess. That was the goal since forever anyway, to give you more than expected, everything was so flat when we came out in the late 90s/early 2000s. So i demanded the ‘more’ factor. That’s why I’ve chosen glam.”
Ηow did your collaboration with the sound technician of Aerosmith Jay Messina come about?
“A friend from rockpages magazine had an interview and he introduced us to Jay Messina, he said ‘those guys have an atmosphere from the Aerosmith toys in the attic era’ so it was familiar for him to manage with our sound, we where huge fans of his work, he was behind the desk on our favourite records.”
What do the names Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper band), Faster Pussycat, Skid Row mean to you?
“The Roxie gig came again because of the Star Star guys, Alice Cooper is a huge influence on us and the meaning of theatrical rock. No Alice no Wild Machine, as simple as that. ‘Wake me when it’s over’ is one of my favourite records of that scene so opening for faster pussycat was a big deal. And the Skid Row gig was one of our best shows ever. I remember that name being huge back in 1990, i had posters and stuff and ‘slave to the grind’ was my go-to record.”
Tell us a few words about ‘prize surprize/work it out’ and your collaboration with NuN records.
“It was released in the first day of COVID quarantine, so its another weird story. limited edition and sold out in one day. We wanted desperately something on vinyl so we catched the opportunity. Everything went fast, lots of people want it but it’s out of press. It was like a test.”
Do you want to announce or say something that you haven’t said?
“January there will be a great show in Athens with us joining in. Announcements soon. Stay in touch through socials: Facebook.com/wildmachinegr and Instagram.com/wildmachinegr.”
What are your immediate plans?
“Getting the record out or at least another single and video and playing as more shows as possible. Thanks so much for having us!”…Maria Stella Tsatsi