Secret Machines could be described as progressive rock, or space rock with some krautrock influences mixed in. Many have also cited the Secret Machines as a style of shoegaze, as a lot of their songs on Now Here Is Nowhere have samples that mimic that of shoegaze bands like My Bloody Valentine and Ride. Listeners can also hear hints of Led Zeppelin, Procol Harum, The Who, U2, and The Flaming Lips.

They have toured with Foo Fighters, Spiritualized, Oasis, Interpol, M83, and the Kings of Leon. They also supported the British rock trio Muse, appeared at Lollapalooza 2006 in Chicago and the Carling Leeds and Reading Festivals in England in the same year, as well as the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, TX.