The Dream Machine Talk New EP, Single And More

Oct 26, 2025 | Interviews

Words by Glenn Sargeant

Feature Image Photo Credit: Max Dowd

The Dream Machine, the purposefully perpendicular diversion from samey and slavish content-era beat combinations, return to release their first new music of 2025, the wheeling and wailing MC5 and Stooges-reminiscent, Fort Perch Rock. As the band prepare for seven UK-wide live dates this November 2025, Zak McDonnell of The Dream Machine kindly spoke to us:

Who is in The Dream Machine, how did you meet and what do you play?

The first member I met was Matt (guitar) in school, we bonded over causing havoc at lunchtime. We got chased by Mr. Lamb into one of the art rooms once and Jack (bass) was in there, blasting The Stone Roses out the teachers laptop… so we made friends with him too. Then they met the last two Isaac (drums) and Harrison (keyboards) through going out in Liverpool.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Sitting on my bike in the front room and eating fish finger butties, watching ‘Help’, The Beatles film. I was only about three but I’m still chasing that feeling every day, I think.

When did you begin songwriting?

I stopped focusing on drums and started playing guitar and writing tunes properly when I was about 17.

You have your EP ‘Fort Perch Rock’ out now. How did you want to approach the making of the EP?

The same way we made the whole album, recording it live in the room, usually on the same day the song was written, then just picking the best ones at the end.

Where did you record the EP and who produced it?

We produced It ourselves in our practice room. They are definitely our most DIY recordings yet.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

‘Like I Always Do’ was recorded at about 4am, at least mine and Matt’s parts were anyway. We sorted a lot of the album out on that one night really.

On the flip side of that, I had a very serene moment in Toulouse on our French tour. I was working on one of the next singles, on a piano in the venue when I’d just woken up, with the sun beating through the door and all the birds singing. I’ll probably always remember that.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

For microphones, we have always just sort of used whatever is there, I can be a gear nerd when I want but never let it get in the way of getting a song down quick. On the second song (the Dion cover), everything is just on an SM58. Instruments wise, I played a sitar, very badly, on track four but you can’t really hear it now. Everything hit real tape at one point or another too, mostly a Watkins Copicat

Which of your new EP tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

A. Fort Perch Rock, it’s everyone at full pelt and it’s a good laugh live. We’ve been opening every set with it since it was written

B. ‘Daddy Rollin’ In Your Arms’, because it was just supposed to be for a video, it was after a practice and we were probably all waiting to go home

C. ‘Like I Always Do’, it was supposed to be like when Brian gets reflective on ‘The Beach Boys Today!’ Or ’Summer Days (And Summer Nights)’ , but it ended up more like the Sex Pistols

Was it a difficult EP to write?

Who designed the EP artwork?

Me, it was considered as an album cover until we had something better painted by my brother’s friend Lily.

Does the EP title have any significance/special meaning?

It’s the name of a big sandstone fort in New Brighton, where we’re from. We would sit listening to tunes in the shelter opposite every night after school, so it was probably part homage, part subconscious. We found a penguin there once and fed it chips.

You have also released the single ‘Fort Perch Rock’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

It’s just one of those dirty little 50’s type ditties isn’t it? I was pretty obsessed with ‘At The Hop’ by Danny and The Juniors at the time. It reminds me of what old New Brighton was probably like, with all the beauty pageants and outdoor swimming baths. I think it would get people shuckin ‘n’ a jivin’ if we played it at the Tower Ballroom in them days. It’s horrible, I love it.

The single is accompanied by a music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

We were out getting something to eat with our tour manager Max and got an email saying we needed a video. So, we just got pissed, got some fur coats on and dragged an organ down to the beach. We mimed for a small crowd and got him to film it all on Super 8.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

New Brighton – ‘Pantomime Actors Smoking Outside Cafe’s’

How do you look after your voices?

We don’t, really. Although we are trying to stop screaming in the van and stop going out after gigs. Sometimes we like to just all get on one bed and watch Hollyoaks, on mute, in the hotel and do our own voices for the characters. Or ring the teleshopping lines.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?

A UK tour in November:

Cardiff, Shiiine on Festival in Minehead, London, Norwich, Birkenhead, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, North Shields

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

Contentment and success

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I was on a sort of blag Eastwood / Mosrite thing for the last tour when I was on a Ramones kick but this summer, I bought a Rickenbacker which is the guitar I’ve always wanted. Yesterday I got a new Fostex reel-to-reel tape machine. We’ve also been using a really nice Neuman mic we lent from Rich Turvey across all of our new stuff. I’m not too bothered with pedals; Matt has a cool rotary pedal that makes your guitar sound like an organ.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

‘The Sun Also Rises’ is still one of my favourites. The last line in it is a killer. I always wanted to go to San Sebastián because of it, so we went this summer after our French tour, and it was amazing. So maybe that. It would have to be on a little nylon string guitar.

Recently though I’ve been reading ‘The Road’ by Jack London, it’s all about sailors and oyster pirates and freight trains and the hoboes they pass in the night. All of his books I’ve read are that sort of vibe, magical Yukon tales. He’s great.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I’ve been getting into loads of Tom Petty this year and I’ve been driving to an album called ‘Cubist Blues’, it’s a collaboration by Alan Vega from Suicide and Alex Chilton from Big Star.

In terms of new stuff, Brian D’Addario from The Lemon Twigs new album is brilliant. We met them last year, they stayed out with us after their gig and I had a night of picking his brain about tunes, they’re probably the most talented band I’ve seen live. The support, ‘Tchotchke’, were also really good.

Brooke Combe’s new tune is one of the best I’ve heard in a while too, just a boss northern soul single played live to tape.

I’ve been engineering a new record for The Coral’s drummer Ian too, it’s like psychedelic Chet Baker.

What makes The Dream Machine happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happy – Fortune cookies, Keeping busy, Bad films, Cash payments

Unhappy – TikTok, IPA Beer, Wednesdays and Encores

Feature Image Photo Credit: Max Dowd

The Dream Machine’s new EP ‘Front Porch’ is out now.

For the EP and more information visit: https://thedreammachine.os.fan/

The November 2025 UK Tour will visit the following venues: