Better Days

The song "Better Days" by Stone Machine from their album American Honey carries a raw, nostalgic vibe that resonates with fans of classic rock and southern soul. In a 2020 interview with Rockin' the Roots, lead vocalist Jake Parrish shared that the song was inspired by late-night drives through the Texas Hill Country, where the band would blast old vinyl records and dream about simpler times. He mentioned that the chorus, with its uplifting call to "chase those better days," came from a spontaneous jam session after a long day of recording, capturing the band's hope for brighter moments amidst personal struggles. A post on their Instagram from June 2021 revealed that the song's iconic guitar riff was nearly cut from the final mix, but fan feedback during a live performance convinced them to keep it, making it a staple of their live shows.

Another piece of trivia comes from a X post in 2022, where the band shared a story about a fan, dubbed a "Zoo Freak" by the Zoo Crew, who got a tattoo of the song's lyric "we're all just runnin' to the light" after hearing it at a festival. The band was so moved that they invited the fan to a show and dedicated the performance of "Better Days" to them. Additionally, during a Q&A session on their Facebook page in 2023, drummer Mike Jones noted that the song's bridge was influenced by a conversation with a bartender in Austin who spoke about finding hope after tough times, which the band wove into the lyrics to give the song its heartfelt authenticity.

Stone Machine got their start in 2014 in Austin, Texas, when Jake Parrish, a former cover band singer, met guitarist Sarah "Slick" Malone at a local open mic night. According to their bio on their official website, the two bonded over a shared love for 70s rock and southern blues, particularly bands like The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. They began writing originals in a garage, joined soon after by bassist Tommy Vega and drummer Mike Jones, both of whom had played in local punk and country bands. Their first gig was at a dive bar called The Rusty Spur, where they played to a crowd of 15 but caught the attention of a local producer who helped them record their debut EP. By 2016, they were touring the Southwest, building a grassroots following through high-energy live shows and a gritty, authentic sound.

The band's rise was fueled by their relentless DIY ethos, as detailed in a 2019 Texas Music Magazine feature, which described how they funded their first album by selling homemade merch at gigs and even busking on Austin's Sixth Street. Their big break came in 2018 when American Honey, featuring "Better Days," was picked up by a regional radio station, leading to wider exposure and festival slots. Fans, or "Zoo Freaks" as they're known to the Zoo Crew, have rallied around the band, creating a dedicated Facebook group called Stone Machine Freaks with over 2,000 members who share concert photos, cover art, and stories about meeting the band. There’s also a fan-run website, Stone Machine Fans, which hosts a forum, tour updates, and a gallery of fan tattoos inspired by the band’s lyrics.

For the latest on Stone Machine, check out their official website for tour dates and merch. Follow them on Facebook for live Q&A sessions, Instagram for behind-the-scenes studio clips, and X for real-time updates and fan shoutouts. Joining the Stone Machine Freaks group or visiting Stone Machine Fans is a great way to connect with other Zoo Freaks and dive deeper into the band’s community.