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Machine Gun doesn't have many releases. Just two tapes - both for indie label "Listen Loudest" from Zagreb. When i heard first tape, I must be honest, they didn't impress me at all. It was just an ordinary bad sounded tape full of some hippie standards. The only strange thing about that tape was trashy punk sound. So, I was a bit confused but I thought they must be some old hippies/hard rock freaks who recorded some covers, somewhere in their basement and they probably had bad tape recorder and guitar amplifiers. Anyway, it's pity I lost that tape somewhere. So, all I can tell you is what I remember. It would be great if I could hear it again and tell you what I think about it now.

But, the real reason why I decided to write about Machine Gun is their 2nd tape "Put za Nakovo" (Road to Nakovo) (1989). I really don't remember how I got this tape. Probably in small shop of youth center when I bought some tapes and zines and guy who worked there didn't have change, so I chose one more tape for 1/3 of real price. Who knows why I picked this tape with such boring sleeve. Anyway I didn't listen to Machine Gun till one rainy day. I was pretty bored, couldn't go anywhere and I was bit tired of all music I already heard - so I just took that tape, looked a bit at the song titles and thought - let's play it. I was also a bit curious cos this time they recorded their songs in stead of covers.

And from the first chords I couldn't believe it - I discovered treasure! "Osjeti noc" (Feel the Night) was great. The sound quality was really good this time, primitive but very good. It was typical jugo garage punk sound - maybe more 70s and rhythm & blues than famous bands like Partibrejkers or Majke. Anyway I was nicely surprised. Next song is "Remember" - Jimi Hendrix cover, and what a cover! It sounds completely different from original. I can't describe it with words, but let's say it sounds pretty hippy, I mean like some old good music - I don't know if you understand what I mean, but Machine Gun version has something. Maybe I described it very confusing, but who cares. Next song "Moja drugara dva" (My Two Friends) is about 2 junkies. It's a great song again with sad lyrics. "Trazim te" (I'm Looking Fro You) is fast r&b song with manic riff and psychotic atmosphere. The last song on a side is "Hajde kreni" (Come on, Let's Go) and it's my favorite. I can listen to this song for billion times and I will like it just as if I hear it for the first time. Guitar, bass and drums are melted into great pumping rhythm, you just feel your legs want to jump. Your body must follow this crazy and primitive r'n'r/r&b rhythm. "Hajde kreni" is so catchy, that you keep singing it for days. Guitar solo sounds pretty strange and original. I really don't know how they got such strange sound. Maybe they used wah wah and some other effect together. B side begins with "Izasao sam van" (I Went Out) - one more great urban song. It's about living in the city & loneliness. Chorus is great and catchy again with nice acid guitar sound. "Odlazim iz grada" (I'm Leaving Town) is bit slow, let's say bluesy. "Telefon" (Telephone) & "Dva dana (ja sam bio sam)" (Two Days (I Was Alone)) are two great punky r&b songs, with great pumping rhythm and manic guitar - specially in last one.

So that's it. I never had a chance to see Machine Gun live. There are some live recordings, so I hope I'll get them one day. It's pity I don't know anything about the band - only their names - Aleksandar, Goran & Srecko.