the sun machine austin

Sun Machine Austin: A Cosmic Journey Through Psychedelic Rock

The Sun Machine Austin wasn’t just a band, it was a psychedelic vortex of cosmic consciousness. Emerging in the late 1960s, they channeled the spirit of the era, echoing the sounds of Pink Floyd, Cream, and Jimi Hendrix, all while adding their own Texas-infused flavor.

The story begins with Jimmie Vaughan, yes, that Jimmie Vaughan. Long before his blues-rock legend was born, he was a young guitarist with a head full of dreams and a heart full of psychedelic ambitions. Alongside his brother Stevie Ray Vaughan, he formed the band The Strangers.

Fun Fact: The Strangers’ early gigs were often held in a warehouse, with a backdrop made of real psychedelic mushrooms.

The Strangers evolved, morphing into The Chessmen before ultimately becoming Sun Machine. This was the band’s peak, filled with mind-bending jams and electrifying performances.

Fun Fact: Sun Machine’s sound engineer, Chuck, once attempted to mix their live set by using a giant, multi-colored kaleidoscope. He claimed it “expanded the sound in ways no other technology could achieve”.

The psychedelic storm raged for a brief time, but unfortunately, the Sun Machine’s journey was cut short. By 1969, they disbanded, but their legacy continues to resonate through the music of both Jimmie and Stevie.

Fun Fact: Jimmie Vaughan has said that the band’s last gig was interrupted by a group of hippies who tried to steal the entire stage set. This included a giant inflatable astronaut, which they eventually got away with.

Sun Machine’s music serves as a potent reminder of a time when rock and roll was more than just music, it was a portal to another dimension. And while their story may be short, their impact remains, leaving a lasting imprint on the landscape of Texas music.