I was reading through what everyone has said, and I started to realize how schizophrenic I am sounding. Flip flopping from support to devastation to excitement.

Let me clarify. I am very sad that Benjamin decided to leave. I might be a relative newcomer to the overall fandom, but I'm not a newcomer to The Secret Machines. I've loved them for a long time. I'm afraid that Benjamin's departure might completely change how we work around here, change people's loyalty. I don't want that to happen.

But, to be completely honest, I'm jumping out of my chair with glee at the news that Brandon and Josh are recording soon. Think of how great every TSM album has been. Sept 000 to Now Here is Nowhere to Ten Silver Drops. Now think of how different each is from each other. With or with out Ben, I think it's safe to say that the next album was going to be a new step in Brandon and Josh's creative genius. There is nothing that will stop me from buying this album, unless they decide to go make a gangster rap/screamo/country western record. I think we can all agree that's not going to happen

What I'm most afraid of is that fans are going to reject the album because of Ben's absence.

I can't wait for the new songs. Recording in May... does that mean a spring '08 release?

"What I'm most afraid of is that fans are going to reject the album because of Ben's absence. "


yes, definitely something to worry about i think.
i've been trying to internally reflect all day, and gather my thoughts about this.
i still currently rest on confused and shocked, but overall i'm completley confident and excited for what is to come.

i have total faith that the bond Brandon and Josh have established over their years of working together will produce nothing but a brilliant album, that will transcend any worries and doubts we all may have at this point. not to mention School of Seven Bells; at the rate they are headed, we can expect nothing but greatness from them, and we will be blessed with amazing music from all three of these amazing guys.

now, i only wish we could all sit down for drinks and reminice & remember our collective TSM experiences together, and welcome the new era of TSM to come!!

i wanna say congratulations to the Curtis brothers and Mr. Garza for doing what they love to do everyday.

and that's my final word on the issue. i shall leave before i spew any more tear-soaked sentiments on unassuming readers.

quote:

Originally posted by Lisa Nachtman:

There is nothing that will stop me from buying this album, unless they decide to go make a gangster rap record.

On the contarary, that would only make me want to buy it more.

ha.

well.... to add insult to injury. I'm watching a VH1 show about candid camera moments and in the back round plays Sad and Lonely.

Now I'm sad. and yes lonely as I'm by myself now.

Well.

I don't know what I could possibly say that others haven't already. The last day or so has been pretty emotional, for me at least, and a little hard to process. But the bottom line is, no matter where these three guys are, they're three amazing musicians that I'll always appreciate and continue to support, TSM or not.

Good luck, Ben. You're a fantastic musician, a nice guy, and I hope like crazy our paths cross again soon

Brandon and Josh, I look forward to hearing what you guys create in the coming months!

Aww sad news but what can we do about it. *le sigh* Like the others, I will TOTALLY continue to support TSM. Thanks for the info Brandon.

well said Lisa and Martha.

according to the stages of grief:

Shock and numbness
Yearning and searching
Disorganization and despair
Reorganization

i think i'm finally reorganizing.

Wow, this is such a shock for me. TSM's image has contributed greatly to their success and now they are going on as a duo? hm...I am utterly speechless and concerned. Keep us informed Brandon and Josh and GL guys!

Question for Brandon or Josh: Is there a future for the Marfa film since it was recorded when benjamin was still in the band? I think releasing the film to fans would give us a sense of finality.

I don't really know what to say.

I'm shocked and disappointed, but I guess I can respect Ben's decision, and doubly so for Josh and Brandon for continuing on with the Secret Machines.

I'm just glad I got to see the band play live, if only twice, when they were the full three piece. Ben's stage presence was immense and will be missed, and his guitar work was such a huge part of the Secret Machine's sound.

Lisa, you said you're most afraid of fans rejecting the new album because of Ben's absence. I'm kind of torn. I think I'm most worried that the Secret Machines won't be the Secret Machines without Ben. Maybe I'm biased but if I'm trying to think of the parts of the Secret Machines' stuff that affected me most or influenced me most musically, it is/was with few exceptions Ben's guitar work that always stood out as extraordinary, as the component of the band's songs that defined them and made them some of the best things on the music scene and the second most frequently played songs in my several thousand song library.

I would really like to hear from Ben on this. I don't think he owes us an explanation necessarily, but I do think we'd all appreciate an update from him on where he's at now and, if he wants to, maybe give us all a little insight into his decision.

I'm sort of out of thoughts for the time being, but barring any change of heart on Ben's part, all I can do is wish Brandon, Josh, and Ben the best of luck in the future. I'll be listening.

quote:

I would really like to hear from Ben on this. I don't think he owes us an explanation necessarily, but I do think we'd all appreciate an update from him on where he's at now and, if he wants to, maybe give us all a little insight into his decision.

I'm sort of out of thoughts for the time being, but barring any change of heart on Ben's part, all I can do is wish Brandon, Josh, and Ben the best of luck in the future. I'll be listening.

I've calmed down a bit now and I can empathise totally with those comments.... Very nicely put.

Jesus Christ. Go off the interweb for a day and this happens.

I'm still in shock, I haven't had a couple of days to process this like you all have.

I'm sad - and I'm angry, too, (mainly at myself) because, due to my own fuckwittage, I never got a chance to see the classic lineup, and now I never will.

I'm excited about School of Seven Bells, because, to be perfectly honest, from what I've heard, they might be closer to my "ideal" of music. But gaining that at the cost of splitting TSM in half?

I can't deal with this right now. I'm too inarticulate with emotion.

Ditto to everything that Lisa and Martha said in their recent posts...

As disappointed as I am that Ben is no longer with the band, I am definitely excited about the prospect of a new TSM album in the coming months! And having never heard School of Seven Bells, I'm looking forward to hearing them and seeing where they will go next as well.

Seven and a half years is a long time to be in a band. Seven years is the longest that I have worked for a single employer! We have to accept that people grow and change and consequently need to make changes in their lives. This certainly doesn't take away our collective shock and sadness, I realize, but hopefully people will continue to support Brandon, Ben, and Josh as incredible musicians wherever they go.

Its so sad when again another person comes to this thread and finds out and comments. It makes me sort of go through the emotions of it all again. I just listened to Pharaohs Daughter in my bedroom and it made me so so sad.

aww, carrie i know what you mean.
i still haven't even been able to listen to any tsm. i can't help feeling like someone died or something. i just wish the new material was here and now, it would make it easier to progress i think.

quote:

Originally posted by Masonic Boom:

I'm sad - and I'm angry, too, (mainly at myself) because, due to my own fuckwittage, I never got a chance to see the classic lineup, and now I never will.

Im not bringing this up to make you feel even worse Kate... I'm bringing this up to remind myself of a point I didnt make in my other posts...

I feel really lucky to have seen TSM as a three as many times as I did, I'll probably never see another band as many times.

to respond to Carrie:
"I just listened to Pharaohs Daughter in my bedroom and it made me so so sad."

I agree. I found out at 1030 am yesterday. Immediately I downed some whiskey and in total loser-fan-boy-ness I sat around all day listening to everything these three fine gentleman have given me for the time I've been a part of the experience. Josh has been a major influence on my drumming style. The band as a whole gave me hope that all of the stuff out there isn't shit. They truly connect with their fans, and are the nicest guys in person. Very humble for how incredible they are. Ben will be missed, but as long as there are Curtis brothers on this planet I still retain a shred of hope for music as we know it.

'til then though I'm in utter shock. TSM has given me so much over the years. No other band ever made me feel the way I do about music. They make you excited to hold an instrument.

I've seen them three times and it was always stellar. I think both bands will still be able to wow me, but not so much in the way that they used too. Everything used to be so loud you would nearly fall over.

A friend of mine compared this experience to The Velvet Underground. A band that completely changed music forever, with really only one true album. So at least I got to be a real part of this bands experience, and I wish the best of luck for the three musicians. As for everyone on the board...I feel your pain, but hold out some hope. who knows? both bands might turn out ridiculously awesome. Still, though, I'm quite distraught.

how could this happen!!!!
i love the sound they make together !!!
dont leave us!!!!!!

i dont like school bells of whatever
i hate the way the girls sing
anyways and i dont want to waste my money
so i wont be buying any cds of theirs

but i know the next album will be great and amazing cant wait for it!!

the saddest part for me was reading this horrible news as i got out of bed wearing my black secret machines Tshirt with the stars surrounding, then looking down at my chest at the silhouettes and trying to make 3 into 2.

count me as first in line when the reunion happens 2 years from now.

I'm bummed. No lie. This sucks. Hopefully the music will still be amazing. Pink Floyd lost Roger Waters so anything is possible. here's to the future of our favorite band.

"And all that time we spent I swear we wasted
It don't mean much"