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The Automatic Automatic
HQ: Cardiff, WalesNOW PLAYING: Not Accepted Anywhere (COLUMBIA) THE STORY SO FAR: Best friends since age 5, singer/bassist Rob Hawkins, guitarist James Frost and drummer Iwan Griffiths did exactly what every American kid who sucked at sports did-started a band. Except they aren't American kids-they're from Wales, where folks look down on pursuing a music career almost as much as they love rugby. "We grew up in a small, very sports-oriented town," says Hawkins. "We were always the last ones picked for sports, so the music helped us not go insane." After adding keyboardist Alex Pennie, The Automatic Automatic made the gamble to forgo college in lieu of promoting the band-which they did like maniacs, touring for 18 months, selling 200,000 discs in the U.K., all on their own. WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW 'EM: Because everyone knows two Automatics are better than one. That, and their brand of jangle-electronica-rawk and bombastic live performances at the Leeds and Reading festivals have made them the toast of England. Freshly signed to Columbia, their single "Monster" went gold in the U.K. and they're kicking off their world domination this summer on Warped Tour. How do they do it? They give most of the credit, obviously, to Knight Rider. "We always have a picture of David Hasselhoff somewhere with us. [Laughs.] He makes us feel welcome. It gives you a sense of comfort to look over and see him when you're constantly in unfamiliar places." -Casey Lynch YOU LIKE? YOU'LL LIKE: RADIOHEAD / KAISER CHIEFS / JARCREW |
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