The band was formed in 1996, consisting of the sole founding member, writer and musician, Nathaniel Leigh Nicoll.
The current line-up of the band varies, but typically consists of Nathaniel Nicoll, Mike Hayden, and James Wong.
Nicoll formed Doctors With Knives with Mike Hayden after the singer for a prior band "left unexpectedly."
Machine website came back online at a new domain name, announcing a forthcoming full-length album entitled Snake Charm Girl would drop in the spring of 2022.
Snake Charm Girl was released digitally on August 5, 2022, through Bandcamp with a limited edition double CD available from Poponaut.