Can't Stop the Train

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the infectious track "Can't Stop the Train" by Rock City Machine Co. for their devoted Zoo Freaks. This song, from the band's self-titled debut album, has a gritty, high-energy vibe that’s perfect for the station’s free-spirited audience. In a 2022 interview with Rock Magazine, lead singer Jake "Rusty" Malone shared that the song was inspired by a late-night jam session after a cross-country train ride. The relentless rhythm mimics the unstoppable momentum of a freight train, a metaphor for the band’s drive to break through in the rock scene. Rusty mentioned, “We were on this train, dead tired, but the sound of the wheels kept us wired. That’s where the hook came from—life’s a train you can’t stop, so you just ride it.”

Adding to the song’s lore, a post on Rock City Machine Co.’s Instagram in 2023 revealed a fun tidbit: the iconic harmonica riff in "Can't Stop the Train" was nearly cut from the final mix. Guitarist Sarah "Blaze" Thompson fought to keep it, arguing it gave the track its raw, bluesy soul. Fans on the Rock City Machine Co. Fanatics Facebook group celebrated this decision, with one Zoo Freak commenting, “That harmonica is the heart of the song! Blaze knew what was up.” The band also shared on X that during a live performance at the 2023 Desert Rock Fest, a power outage hit mid-song, but the crowd kept singing the chorus, turning it into an unforgettable acoustic moment.

Rock City Machine Co. started in a dusty garage in Tucson, Arizona, in 2018. Jake Malone, a former mechanic with a passion for classic rock, met Sarah Thompson at a local open-mic night. Their shared love for bands like Led Zeppelin and The Black Crowes sparked an instant connection. They recruited drummer Mike "Hammer" Diaz, a jazz-trained percussionist, and bassist Emma "Viper" Chen, who’d been playing in punk bands since her teens. According to a bio on their official website, the band’s name came from a rusty sign Jake found at an abandoned factory, symbolizing their raw, industrial sound. They honed their craft playing dive bars and desert festivals, building a loyal following through word-of-mouth and relentless gigging.

The band’s big break came in 2020 when a viral video of their cover of Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream” caught the attention of indie label Desert Wind Records. This led to their debut album, recorded in a whirlwind two-week session in 2021. Fans can dive deeper into their story on the official website, rockcitymachineco.com, or follow their latest updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with fellow fans, the Rock City Machine Co. Fanatics Facebook group is a vibrant hub for sharing concert stories and rare band photos. The fan-run site rockcitymachinecofans.com also offers tour archives and a forum for discussing the band’s music.