
I think I only made it up to the Machine Shop once on the Harley, but it’s always a good time!
MeltdownHow cool is this!? Now, if you can't make it to The Machine Shop in Flint, or the show sold out before you could get a ticket, you'll be able to stream the shows live as they happen. Not only that, but legendary producer and mixer Toby Wright will be mixing the audio leaving the shop to computers all across the world. The first streaming shows will be on December 15th and 16th with the band Nonpoint. You can check out more about this on the website here. You'll also be able to watch on Roku TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, Apple IOS, and Android and you can also download the app.
Toby spent a little time talking about the how, why, and whens in the interview you can watch below. He mentioned a few times that this is another way for bands to earn some extra money as well.
He said they came up with the idea while talking about compilation albums. He said this would only happen for sold-out shows. The fans can "Watch it live as it's going down" He said there's already the possibility of some on-demand shows coming up, but that's not happening right now.
We also talked about some projects he's worked on in the past, including the Metallica album And Justice For All. That album is infamous for the lack of bass. He talks about why that happened. That conversation led to talk of his favorite producers, including Bob Rock.
He worked on a pretty famous unplugged album, which we talked about. That one is the Alice In Chains MTV unplugged session. He talked about the process of recording those shows and the rules that MTV had, including no overdubs. He said they could play the songs as many times as they wanted to, but they couldn't go back and "fix" anything.
Toby also talked about working with the band KISS. He said he's bummed he didn't get to the final show, but would've loved to have gone. As far as the "new" KISS is concerned, he said "It could be kinda cool, I don't know" As far as that kind of show, he said one hologram show gave him chills. Watch below to find out which one.
Thanks to Toby for the time, and best of luck to the staff at The Machine Shop folks!
You can watch the interview below, and also check out the history of the famous hallway pictures as well.
The Story Behind The Famous Hallway Photos At The Machine Shop – Pictures
Anyone who has any inkling of the Machine Shop knows about the hallway and the "hallway photos" that photographer Jeff "Minty" Mintline takes. It's become quite a thing for the bands, fans, and even crews that come by the "Shop" in Flint, Michigan.
I'll never forget the first time I was in the famous hallway at the Machine Shop. I walked in the side door and realized I was standing in it! I had no idea. "Minty" said the bands say the same thing. He says they think it's going to be bigger, or in a different location of the venue, as did I.
I was curious as to how this whole thing started. "Minty" told me the first picture is the Exies in 2007. He said that singer Scott Stevens wanted a picture with the band. Guitarist Chris Skane said, "Let's do it back here in the hallway." That was the first, for a while. There wasn't another picture taken in that location until the spring of 2010. The next bands were Smile Empty Soul and Skindred....and that's how the hallway photos were born! You can see that first picture below.
How many band pictures have been taken? "Minty" says it's around 1,300. As far as fans from around the world taking pictures back there? "It happens constantly" he said. I've personally witnessed that myself.
I was also there when one guy in a band wouldn't do it. I'll keep that to myself, as well as which country artist passed because they didn't like the flash. Fair enough, I suppose.
Bret Micheals' tour manager said that he wouldn't do it. Owner Kevin Zink rolled with the punches and asked if the rest of the band wouldn't mind, since many of them have played there in the past. They obliged, and while the picture was being taken, Bret walked in and asked what was going on. After he was informed of the picture, he didn't hesitate to get in. Having been around him a few times, that didn't surprise me at all.
According to Minty, every band is more than fired up to take a picture in the famous hallway. "It's almost turned into a rite of passage type of thing" It really has, as the pictures prove!
Thank you to "Minty" for filling me in on the backstory, and suppling all of these killer shots! Have a look!
Thanks for the pictures, Minty!
Jeff "Minty" MintlineChris Jericho and his band Fozzy has played the Machine Shop.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineA lot of people don't know, but Powerman 5000 singer Spider One is Rob Zombie's brother.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineDetroit's own Sponge have played the Shop several times. Here's one of their hallway shots!
Jeff "Minty" MintlineJonny and the guys from Nothingmore are killer enough in a theater, I couldn't imagine how good they were at the Machine Shop!
Jeff "Minty" MintlineNonpoint is a local favorite that's played the Machine Shop several times with many bands.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineI don't know if this was taken at a show I was at, but Detroit guitar legend John 5 loves playing the Machine Shop. He'll be back in early February to do it again.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineAvatar brought their quirky humor and killer metal to the Machine Shop for their "Avatar Country" tour. I love this band!
Jeff "Minty" MintlineDetroit's own Uncle Kracker is no stranger to the Machine Shop. Great dude!
Jeff "Minty" MintlineAll the way from Denmark, Volbeat has played the Machine Shop and here's the proof.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineEven legends like Living Colour have rocked the Machine Shop in Flint.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineHere's the Saliva guys in the hallway. R.I.P., Wayne Swinny (far left)
Jeff "Minty" MintlineHere's half of Shinedown. Brent Smith and Zach Myers have played the Machine Shop on many occasions.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineHere's our friends from north of the border, Theory of a Deadman before taking the Machine Shop stage.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineJacoby and the Papa Roach guys were more than eager to get their photo in the hallway.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineNewly minted Rock Hall member, Tom Morelo with Wayne Kramer and Tim McIlrath from Rise Against.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineFounding member and rap legend, DMC at the Machine Shop.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineHinder prepares to take the Machine Shop stage....but first, a photo.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineThe late STP singer, Scott Weiland and his band the Wildabouts.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineKid Rock came by just to see a show and snagged a picture in the hallway. Even though he's played there, the hallway was packed with gear.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineA case of someone almost being impaled on the bull horns...Candlebox.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineA very young Halestorm around 2010ish.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineForm Canada, it's the guys from Three Days Grace.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineMinty said these guys were just milling about backstage, but went into Clutch mode for the picture.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineJosh Todd and Buckcherry have graced the hallway as well.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineI wrote about this picture above. Bret Michaels is one of the nicest guys.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineMinty told me Phil initially said no photos, but then took one. Minty said he to get into "Phil" mode. LOL
Jeff "Minty" MintlineLJ and the Sevendust guys have played the Shop many times.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineJesse and Jackyl have dirtied up the Machine Shop stage many times in the past.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineThe theatrical In This Moment have performed at the Machine Shop.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineBlack Stone Cherry before a show at the Machine Shop.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineMichigan's own I Prevail long before headlining RIFF Fest.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineJohnathon Davis from Korn, with the amazing drummer, Ray Luzier (Far Right)
Jeff "Minty" MintlineA very young Pop Evil, and a pant less Matt DiRito.
Jeff "Minty" MintlineThe wild Mushroomhead. I need to see these guys live!
Jeff "Minty" MintlineHere it is, the first ever hallway picture taken in 2007.




