Issue 155

The Automatic

14th May 2007

"In that hotel in Iceland that's made entirely of ice." If Alex Pennie of The Automatic could play anywhere, that is where he'd want it to be. But, for now, one of Wales' most exciting musical exports for decades are returning to the ever-so-slightly warmer Swansea to headline this year's Summer Ball. It's been just over a year since the band last made their appearance to a frenetic crowd in DV8, and Pennie is looking forward to the return.

"Where did we play that little bar place? What's it called? Divas! Yeah it'll be good, turn up play some songs. Viva Machine are from Swansea, so it'll be good to see them too. It'll be good because everyone's there for the same reason. Uni Balls - everyone just goes to have fun, not as a music critic."

With the beach just across the road from the site of the Summer Ball, the band may be tempted to repeat some of the antics from their Brighton show last July, where they were to be seen skinny-dipping with fans in the English Channel. But as Pennie explains, it may be wise not to expect the same thing in Swansea Bay.

"When we did the Brighton thing it was during that blazing heat wave we had last year," he says. "If it's hot, I advise people to bring their bikinis and swimming trunks under their clothes! I reckon people should come dressed in Hawaiian theme anyway. If anyone actually does this they can come and sing backing vocals for the rest of the night!"

Whatever does happen at the Summer Ball, the boys from Cowbridge will certainly entertain. Their electric live performances are just one of the reasons why The Automatic have captured the imagination of music fans across Britain. Their 2006 debut album, Not Accepted Anywhere, peaked at no.3 in the UK Album Chart, and now work has begun on the follow-up. Are there any secrets Pennie can share with us about the next record?

"I wish there were but I know nothing about the album," he explains. "We've only been writing it for two or three weeks. We've got a couple of instrumental songs and an idea of what we want it to sound like.

"Hopefully it will be out packaged in fire, literally constantly burning. We want it to come out early next year."

The new album will have a hard act to follow, with Not Accepted Anywhere providing a clutch of pulsating singles, including the nowanthemic Monster, which is still to be frequently heard in clubs across the land. But how long before the band get bored of it?

"Couple of weeks," reveals Pennie. "I'm sick of it! I don't mind playing it when it's good for the audience its good fun. Every song is basically an opportunity for me to muck around really. I love performing basically so I perform. We play it half-way through our set now, we don't make a big deal out of it."

Pennie also admits that their biggest hit has posed one or two problems for the band.

"It kind of sickens me that people only really know us through that one song. That's just a nice example of people's general ignorance!"

Needless to say, their other hit singles Raoul and Recover are more than good in their own right, but when it comes to the songs that the band enjoy playing most on the setlist, Pennie uncovers a surprising truth.

"We do a cover of Life During Wartime by Talking Heads," he admits, "which is really good to play because I get to just jump around and perform, and same when we do Gold Digger as well."

Following their meteoric rise to the top of the UK music scene, The Automatic have achieved a lot in a relatively short career to date. Some might argue having a top five single and top three album as the most significant, but Pennie has other ideas.

"I learnt to whistle the other week," exclaims Pennie. "Most people learn when they're five, I learnt like five months ago. I've done lots of things but I'm not really sure that they mean as much to me as they probably should. Playing at Reading was really cool."

Whilst on the subject of festivals, will the The Automatic be playing Reading again this year?

"No. We are playing at Glastonbury, though I probably shouldn't have told you that because it's not been announced yet!"

It's set to be a busy summer for the Welsh band after Swansea. Following Glastonbury, The Automatic head out to the USA for the gruelling Warped tour, although Pennie is looking forward to the experience.

"Warped tour will be great," enthuses the keyboardist. "I can't wait to do that. Some friends of mine are going to be out on it like Gallows and Funeral For a Friend."

The Automatic are only playing 19 out of the 45 dates on the full Warped tour, but it still represents the best part of a month abroad, and life on the road isn't always fun, and arguments can happen!

"Of course people fall out all the time," Pennie reveals. "All the rest of the guys are moving into a house together but I think that's insane. I've told them this. I think it's mental! I mean think about it. You tour with them, then go home to them. You might as well get married."

But when it comes to performing on stage, you can be sure that The Automatic will be mind-blowing, and you can rest-assured that Pennie will be looking out for you.

"I like to talk to the audiences and take control over them. I just like to know when I'm on stage that people are enjoying themselves alongside me."

Roz Moger