The band formed in October 2005 at the University of Manchester. Martin and Pat wrote songs together in their final year at university, and Gemma joined on bass shortly afterwards. Their first gig was at Retro Bar in Manchester on 1 March 2006. The band played as a 3-piece (Martin, Pat and Gemma) until August 2007. Until this point they used a drum machine called Mustafa Beat.

The Answering Machine released their first single, “Oklahoma” on 16 October 2006 through High Voltage Sounds. The single was limited to 500 vinyl copies, and sold out in 2 days. Second Single, “Silent Hotels” was released with High Voltage Sounds on 18 June 2007. The single was again limited to 500 vinyl copies. They released their third single, “Lightbulbs” on 5 November 2007 with Regal Records. The band released their single “Cliffer” in March 2009 with Heist or Hit Records.

The band played at Glastonbury festival 2007 and SXSW festival 2008[2] and again in 2011. They have performed a UK headline tour in May/June 2007, and a support tour with The Rumble Strips in October/November 2007. In April 2009, the band toured in the USA playing at the Viper Room and the Mercury Lounge in New York. In May 2009 the band toured extensively throughout the UK firstly with Twisted Wheel and later in the same month a major venue tour with Manic Street Preachers. In October 2009, the band visited the US again to perform at CMJ Music Marathon and a month’s residency at CoCo66 in Greenpoint, NY. In December 2009, the band played at British Anthems festival in Japan.

The Answering Machine completed recording their debut album produced by Dave Eringa at Warren House Farm Studios in Yorkshire and mixed at Beethoven Street Studios, London. The debut album Another City, Another Sorry was released on 15 June 2009.

Their song “It’s Over! It’s Over! It’s Over!” is featured on the video game FIFA 10. The band also had two songs featured on the BBC TV show Gavin & Stacey during the second episode of the third series.

The Answering Machine announced they were disbanding on 16 May 2011.