The Automatic (Paul, Iwan, Rob & Frost) live at Orange Rockcorps in 2008 performing "Raoul"
The Automatic are a Wales based Rock-electro-hybrid band formed in early 2003 and soon signed by B-Unique records. The bands live performance dates, reception, covers and the style of the live performances on the bands tours are listed in this time-line.
Live shows
Style and Presence
It has long been maintained by many critics and by the band themselves that they have a far more raw sound during live performances, often performing songs at a faster tempo than on the more polished studio recordings. Ex-keyboard player Pennie during his time with the band often was described as hyperactive, jumping off amps and climbing whatever the venue provides.[1][2][3]
Covers & Collaborations
The band have a history of covering both artists similar to their own sound such as At the Drive-In's "Arc Arsenal, Ash's "Kung Fu", Elbow's "Grounds For Divorce", "New Sensation" by INXS as well as many other bands who The Automatic cite as influences on their music. In 2006 with the release of Not Accepted Anywhere came the invitation to perform then-current single "Monster" and a cover in BBC Radio 1's live lounge, the band choose to cover R&B artist Kayne West's popular track "Gold Digger", the track involved keyboardist Alex Pennie rapping, whilst singer Rob played flute, the track proved a popular addition live in subsequent 2006 and 2007 tours, on Warped Tour 2007 the band performed the cover with Newton Faulkner, whilst at Leads Festival in the Radio 1/NME tent in 2006 the band performed the cover with Goldie Lookin Chain. In a similar way the band covered 70's disco-pop song "Life During Wartime" by Talking Heads, the cover was performed throughout 2007.[4] With the loss of keyboardist Alex Pennie in late 2007, and the addition of Paul Mullen the band brought in a cover for Live Lounge in 2008, "Love In The Club" by Usher[5], the track used three part vocals from Rob, Mullen and Hawkins, and was premiered at a Swedish festivals during the summer of 2008. The band have collaborated in live performances with other bassists for the cover of "Gold Digger" in 2006 which saw Jamie Allen, a former-sound technician of the band provide bass whilst Rob played flute, whilst in 2008 and onwards Viva Machine's bassist Tom Stephens, and photographer Peter Hill have provided bass guitar in second album title track "This Is A Fix", with singer Rob using the Alesis Micron during the performance of the track.
Live Reception
The band as a whole are generally praised by critics more for their live performances and their raw nature, as opposed to their more polished studio sound, reviewers often note the energy of the live performances, during Alex Pennie's days in The Automatic his performances were often noted by critics, microphone swinging and strangling, pummelling a cowbell, as well as being regarded often as hyperactive.[6] The performance of hit single "Monster" is noted often as gaining the largest crowd reaction[7][8][9], with the departure of Alex Pennie the band took onboard Paul Mullen, Rocklouder.co.uk praised his live addition stating "New member Paul Mullen fits like he’s always been there"[10][11]
In 2007, The Automatic headlined the NME Awards Indie Rock Tour, along with Scottish band The View, The Horrors and Mumm-Ra. The Automatic have recently voiced their opinion in NME on The Horrors saying "they've just got big hair", however, The Horrors have recently said this feud has been resolved after the Automatic insisted on a game of 'paper, scissors, stone'. On February 2 The Automatic gave The View the opportunity to headline the NME indie rock concert at Carling Academy in Glasgow. [19] The Horrors didn't play the shows in Cardiff and Sheffield due to illness. [20] They have showcased two new songs "Steve McQueen" and "Revolution" as well as a new cover of "Life During Wartime" originally by The Talking Heads.[21]
The bands first USA headlining tour, and the last series of dates with Alex Pennie in the band, at the opening show in New York Pennie broke his ankle half way through the set and sat out several songs until "Gold Digger" when he rejoined his band mates for the remainder of the set.[25][26]
The final performance of 2007, and final performance with now-former keyboardist Alex Pennie who left the band sometime after the performance, this was also the last show the band would play in the promotional cycle for their debut album Not Accepted Anywhere.[27][28]
The bands first tour with new guitarist Paul Mullen involved touring some of the smaller less-known venues and clubs of the United Kingdom. The tour involved the band playing a 50/50 split of old and new material. Many of the songs played on the first album were chosen by the bands fans who set up a poll on their forum.[29] By the time the band began touring "By My Side", "Recover" and "That's What She Said" were all favoured by fans, many of the b-sides were also requested. During performances, synthesizer and keyboard duties would be split between Frost and Mullen.[30]
The band had to pull out of the small festival after T4 On The Beach rehearsal took place on this date, the band apologised on their website saying; "Due to promotional demands we've had to pull out of the Midsommer Norton show on July 19th. We're really sorry to everyone with tickets who was looking forward to the show but we'll be out on tour again soon".
Having a strong love for Irish trio Ash, one of The Automatic's main influences have also, and during earlier days of the bands career they would cover Ash single "Kung Fu" from the album 1977, in June2007 The Automatic were invited for drinks after their show together at Hull University Summer Ball[37], later in 2008 at CardiffBig Weekend Ash dedicated the track "Oh Yeah" to the band, who had played earlier that day.[38]
Photographer Peter Hill performed bass guitar for the first time with the band during the bands performance of "This Is A Fix" which sees singer Rob play synth instead of bass.
Originally the tour was scheduled to take place in from 14 June2008 to 24 June2008 however due to the recording of the album This Is A Fix it was pushed back to September.[39]
Headlining show by The Automatic, The bands first performance of 2009, a charity performance organized by Sam Duckworth for Love Music Hate Racism, the performance will be the final London Astoria gig, marking its closure, this comes after Manumission were forced to cancel their closing party set for the night after, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.Frank Turner, My Vitriol & The King Blues also performed.
