Simple Machines

Simple Machines was an American independent record label in Arlington, Virginia. The label was founded by Jenny Toomey and Brad Sigal while both were living in the Positive Force House in north Arlington, but Sigal soon stepped back from involvement. Kristin Thomson stepped up and co-masterminded the project with Toomey and they started a new group house near Positive Force's. At its peak, the label had four paid workers: Toomey, Thomson, Pat Graham and Mickey Menard. The label was formed to "find creative ways to avoid the established and boring music business."[1]

This article is about the independent record label. For the concept in physics, see Simple machine. For the Internet forum software, see Simple Machines Forum.
Simple Machines
Founded1990 (1990)
FounderJenny Toomey, Brad Sigal
StatusDefunct
GenreVarious
Country of originU.S.
LocationArlington, Virginia

Biography

The label came into existence in 1989 working toward the 1990 release of the Simple Machines 7" series. The Working Holiday! 7" series followed. Simple Machines promoted cooperation with other indie labels all over the United States, and the "sell it at a fair price" ethic.[1] The label also released a compilation of bands covering their "favourite Beat Happening covers". The profits were donated to a youth at risk home in Washington D.C.

The most famous release of the label is Pocketwatch, an album recorded by Dave Grohl, the Foo Fighters frontman, who was at the time the drummer for Seattle-based grunge band Nirvana. Unwilling to use his own name on the record, Grohl used the moniker "Late!", and was listed in liner notes as "Dave G". The album was released in 1 "Petrol CB".

The Mechanic's Guide

As part of the label's DIY attitude towards the music industry, they published a 24-page guide that was believed to be responsible for helping to set up many independent labels throughout the 1990s.[2] The guide gives detailed advice on many aspects of the music industry from recording and releasing singles through to the legal requirements of setting up a label as a legitimate business.[3]

Closure

Following Thomson's relocation to Philadelphia with her husband, and the subsequent six-hour weekly commute, Simple Machines found themselves under increasing financial pressures to keep putting out records and keeping them in print. Toomey and Thomson had also become disenchanted with the business aspect of their label, realizing that it overruled the musical side of it. In 1997 the decision was made to wind the label down.

The label released two final records by artists Ida and Tsunami, respectively. Toomey and Thomson organised a Simple Machines Finale Party at the Black Cat in Washington D.C., with 24 bands on the bill which took two days to conclude. On March 29, 1997, Simple Machines closed.[3]

Roster

References
  1. "Simple Machines Records | Story". Simplemachines.net. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  2. "About FMC | Future of Music Coalition". Futureofmusic.org. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  3. "Hello from Jenny Toomey & Kristin Thomson and welcome to the 2000 digital version of the Mechanic's Guide. Between 1990 and 1998 we ran an indie record label called Simple Machines. Over those eight years we released about 75 records by our own bands and those of our friends. We closed the whole operation down in March 1997" (PDF). Simplemachines.net. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
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