Bum Machine was started by John Value in Chicago as a way to perform songs from his solo catalogue live, as these were records recorded largely by himself in his basement and then released through his own label, OneM1c Recordings. After visiting some friends in Bloomington, IN, songs were written and plans made, and the band turned into a collaborative effort. Bum Machine just released their first EP, "Duck Your Head" through OneM1c Recordings. They are currently playing shows in both Chicago and Bloomington.