Jimmy Fernandez

JIMMY FERNANDEZ bass player with THE GOD MACHINE, 1965-1994. Fernandez was born in Los Angeles and grew up in San Diego where, with childhood friends Sheppard and Austin, he formed The God Machine. The band moved to London in 1990, signing to Fiction Records in 1991, releasing three EP’s and an album "Scenes from the Second Storey". In 1994 alternative rock trio The God Machine were putting the finishing touches to their second album when bass player Jimmy Fernandez began to experience severe headaches. He was admitted to London’s Royal Free Hospital suffering from a severe headache and immediately slipped into a coma, and was put on a life-support machine. He did not regain consciousness. Fellow band members Robin Proper-Sheppard and Ronald Austin said "To try and sum up one person’s life seems impossible to us. He always seemed to know what you were thinking and feeling, just as now we are sure he is standing over us saying "Guys, don’t make life so hard on yourselves". That was the sort of person Jimmy was with everyone. "Jimmy absolutely loved life and had such a positive attitude that made everyone around him so happy to be part of his life. He believed that no matter what tragedy should befall one or what pain lies hidden beneath the surface, you are never alone. This love of everyone and everything is how we think that Jimmy would have wanted to be remembered." Jimmy Fernandez’s funeral took place in San Diego. Devastated at the loss of their friend, the two remaining members ended The God Machine on the spot. One Last Laugh In A Place Of Dying… was released later that year, dedicated to Fernandez. The songs were published in their existing state. No additional editing was allowed. Any untitled tracks from the recording sessions were given names such as ‘The Life Song’, ‘The Train Song’, etc. Understated white artwork only added to the albums candour. Its inlay card simply read “For Our Friend Jimmy”.