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The Automatic

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The Automatic

The Automatic are an Welsh four piece band who met in the Welsh town of Cowbridge, Glamorgan, but are now based in Cardiff. They describe their music as "electro-disco-metal-rock".[1] They are influenced heavily by acts such as Jarcrew, Muse, Blur and the Blood Brothers, among others.

History

Early years

The members first met at primary school, and formed a band at the age of 12. Originally known as White Rabbit, they renamed themselves The Automatic because they believe that music is the antidote to "the automatic life".[2] They began performing at venues in the local area, and signed with B Unique (home of Kaiser Chiefs) in their gap year.

Not Accepted Anywhere

In November 2005, the band released their first single, "Recover", but this was not chart eligible since only 1,500 copies were released on vinyl and only 3,500 on CD. Also in 2005, The Automatic won The Pop Factory award for "Best New Act".

On March 27, 2006, the band's next single, "Raoul", was released, reaching #32 in the UK Singles Chart. The third single, "Monster", was released on June 5 2006 and reached #4, but entered the UK Singles Chart at #23 the week before based on download sales alone. "Monster" has also been re-mixed into a dance track by Fatboy Slim, and some football teams use the song as an anthem.[citation needed]

"Not Accepted Anywhere", the band's debut album was released on 19 June, 2006.

The fourth single was a full release of "Recover", and is actually a re-recorded version of the song which the band felt to be a more fully-realised performance. Generally it is heavier in sound, features more synths from Pennie and a sharper guitar sound for Frost's solo.

The fifth single, a re-release of "Raoul", was released on January 8, 2007.

Band members

As of 2006, The Automatic is composed of:

Discography

Albums

EPs.

Singles

Live performances

The band made a number of notable live performances during 2006. They played the New Band Stage at Oxegen 2006. They were part of NME's New Bands Tour 2006, appearing with Boy Kill Boy, ¡Forward, Russia!, Howling Bells and The Long Blondes. The band also appeared at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in the Radio 1/NME Tent. Fellow Welshmen Goldie Lookin Chain joined the band on stage in Reading to perform a cover of Kanye West's "Gold Digger".

The band request a shrine to David Hasselhoff at every gig they play, although at the time of writing their request has only been accommodated four times.

In 2007 they headline the NME Indie Rock Tour 2007, which is part of the NME Awards Shows, playing alongside The Horrors, The View and Mumm-ra.

TV, radio, and online appearances

The band have appeared on television and radio a number of times. Notably, they were first ever band to make a return performance on The Friday Night Project. They have also appeared on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, playing "Monster" along with "Gold Digger".

In the spring of 2006, Frost and Pennie destroyed some of the band's equipment whilst performing "Monster" on GMTV. Although the band have not been expressly banned from performing on GMTV, there were threats of legal action from a crew member who received a glancing injury during the act.[3]

On January 9, 2007 Robin Hawkins and Alex Pennie stood in on the Zane Lowe show on BBC Radio 1, hosting a two hour show, and on January 11, 2007 the band appeared in Habbo Hotel UK.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "If only success was Automatic" by Claire Rees, icWales, October 14, 2005, retrieved November 10, 2006.
  2. ^ "The Automatic interview" by Nat Davies and Susie Wild, BBC Wales, 2005, retrieved January 4, 2007.
  3. ^ "The Automatic Facing Legal Action", Contactmusic.com, August 2, 2006, retrieved November 10, 2006.

References

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Automatic&oldid=106544682"