The Answering Machine were an art rock band based in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The band consists of:

Martin Colclough: Vocals, Guitar
Pat Fogarty: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Gemma Evans: Bass, Backing Vocals
Ben Perry: Drums, Glockenspiel

The band formed in October 2005 at the University of Manchester. Martin and Pat wrote songs together in their final year at university, and Gemma joined on bass shortly afterwards. Their first gig was at Retro Bar in Manchester on the 1st March 2006.

The band played as a 3-piece (Martin, Pat and Gemma) until August 2007. Until this point they used a drum machine called Mustafa Beat.

The Answering Machine released their first single, 'Oklahoma' on 16th October 2006 through High Voltage Sounds. The single was limited to 500 vinyl copies, and sold out in 2 days.

Second Single, 'Silent Hotels' was released with High Voltage Sounds on the 18th June 2007. The single was again limited to 500 vinyl copies.

They released their third single, 'Lightbulbs on the 5th November 2007 with Regal Records.

The band played at Glastonbury festival 2007 and SXSW festival 2008. They have performed a UK headline tour in May/June 2007, and a support tour with The Rumble Strips in October/November 2007.

The band finished their debut album, Another City, Another Sorry at the end of 2008 with Dave Eringa. The album was recorded in a farm house in Yorkshire and then mixed at Beethoven Street Studios in London. The album will be released through brand new independent label Heist Or Hit Records in the summer. Proceeding the album is the band's newest single, 'Cliffer' released on March 16th on super limited vinyl.

In the build up to the album release the band were invited on tour by the Manic Street Preachers including a three night slot at the Roundhouse.

The band's debut album "Another City, Another Sorry" was released on June 15th to good reviews and much excitment. The NME described it as "a fantastic debut" and referenced "perfect pop songs". To celebrate the band played three gigs in youth hostels in Manchester, Birmingham and London offering fans free tickets and the chance to stay over after the gig.

In 2009, as well as touring with Manic Street Preachers, they toured with Bombay Bicycle Club, Twisted Wheel, Ra Ra Riot and played showcases in Los Angeles and New York. In 2010, the band again toured in the USA and also toured in Europe with Tokyo Police Club. They completed their 2nd album called Lifeline which was recently released in Feb 2011.

In March 2011, the band played again at SXSW in Austin. The band designed their own website on http://www.theansweringmachine.co.uk and fans follow them via 'theansmachine' on Twitter.

On 16th May 2011, The Answering Machine announced their decision to cease producing music as The Answering Machine.
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