Photo:
It's so nice to be greeted by four such jubilant boys on a flu-ridden day. They seem exceptionally excited to see Gigwise, and are kind enough to pat us on the head, say we don't look ill, and are very energized by the fact that Gigwise is the first interviewer of the day to be under thirty. Youth seems to set the tone the second we sit down. In fact, Pennie (vocals and synth) spends the first five minutes showing me his King Kong watch which he got free from a fast-food chain. In fairness it is very cool.
Hailing from just outside Cardiff, the boys took a gap year post A-levels to see if they could get signed. Last year's Manchester In the City led to just that, and gigs have been the way forward since. However The Automatic's age is not important, ("How old are you boys?" "12. Frost is 11."), but their goal is clearly to have as much fun at shows as possible, and be the reverse of their namesake. Their last single 'Recover' ate up the indie underground with critical plaudits galore, and new single 'Raoul' looks to be getting just as much attention.
"It's drug-fuelled rock and roll." Explains lead vocalist, Rob. However it's when Pennie (synths and vocals) and Iwan (drums) are keen to stamp their views that we start to suspect the boys have had quite a few interviews today. "It's a mammoth walking through Harrods with toast on its feet. No, it's a Peruvian sandwich maker from Cardiff." asserts Pennie. The last bit is in fact true. No really. It's a long story.
At least The Automatic are proving to be exuberant. When asked how they segregate themselves from the throng, Rob is quick to put forth the mission statement for the band's honest approach to their liveliness: "We can't sell out cos we never had any principles in the first place. And we were never hardcore." Pennie likens their live style to Maximo Park and iForward Russia!. "We're just trying to be a new band that doesn't look bored all the time." Good call.
Trying to direct the conversation back to more serious matters Gigwise produces a series of live reviews from the week before which fortunately, they haven't seen and are ecstatic. However it does provoke a discussion about how many lines they have dedicated to them compared to the other bands. So who would they ideally like to play with? After asserting how they like happy bands, they settle on the manic depressive tones of Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave and Interpol. The train of thought then progresses to Queen, Oasis and Arctic Monkeys. "They would support us," nods Penny solemnly. "And maybe Bono and his mates could play." The final concept settles on Steve Coogan and Courtney Love doing covers of Enya and Kate Bush. Gigwise finds itself looking forward to this gig, and finds its time with The Automatics becoming more and more whimsical.
The energy in their tunes is clearly a mirror of their own oomph. So boys, what's it all about? "It's about the music." Rob isn't serious, we think. "Gold plated cars." Perhaps Pennie is providing these for Courtney and Coogan to drive around in. "Gun crime" Guitarist Frost is probably the quietest member of the group, but is still on the ball in terms of ideas. "No wait, shooting cats to make sound effects and using the pitchwork of the guns to create sounds." Seeing Pennie a few days later at the band's London Barfly gig confirms that he has a touch of the hyperactive about him.
And so they throw ideas at us, including how their manager Martin bears a striking resemblance to Ron Jeremy (a photo on Iwan's phone confirms this), and Pennie's ideas on a programme on stage diving for short people. Their delightful mania makes us hope this will be their year, especially when they attest that they will be playing 1000 gigs in it.
The reality is a little less imposing - they played their hundredth gig in Aberdeen recently. But this year is still hotting up for the boys, and with the Kaiser Chiefs label B-Unique behind them, it's hardly surprising they're staying in Shepherd's Bush mildly swanky K-West hotel so early in their career. The album's out in April, the singles are being released thick and fast; what could go wrong? Whatever hits the fan, The Automatic are so positive and lively that it seems like it would barely bother them.
Frost politely does a little squiggly smiley face on our notepad. We're hoping to sell it at a later date. The boys are anxious for a shower and a rest, and they've still decided by the time I leave that Gigwise is actually H from Steps.We think, in the spirit of The Automatic, that this might be quite a fun thing.
.jpg)
