We first came across the Autons in 2006 when a single they'd just released called Snakes was getting a lot of attention and kudos. Subsequently, they were signed to Indy label Zip in San Francisco and Repeat in the UK. On November 8th, 2008, they will be bringing their urgent, fast-paced brand of Punk Electro to Bleepfest Paris. Be there!
And here we find out a little about what it's all about...
autons.livejournal.com
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First of all, how did you guys get together?
"We all attended the auditions for the recent Dr Who series, we each wanted to be cast as an Auton (the plastic dummies who come to life and kill people). None of us got the part so on the train home we decided to form a band ... a band called Autons ... it was our revenge". Tony Auton
You're based in Portsmouth, UK, which we're told doesn't have much happening musically beyond the mainstream. Is that a bum rap?
"I wrote a book about the Portsmouth Music Scene 1977-1996 called Twenty Missed Beats, it got a fair bit of attention (was made into a film, there were exhibitions, tours) so I kinda love it. Plus, we come from here and Portsmouth FC are the FA Cup holders so we think it has a mad beauty". Tony Auton
Do you think where you are has influenced the music you've been making?
"It's difficult to say, but wherever you live is going to have an influence on your life, and consequently your music. On the new album I mention certain places in Portsmouth (Southsea Castle, for instance!)." David Auton
"The artwork of both our debut album 'Short Term Manifesto' and our second album, 'Who Do You Think You Are Kidding?' , which we will be launching on the night of Bleepfest Paris, have images from around Portsmouth on them, but you don't have to be from Portsmouth to appreciate that. We do want 'Portsmouth' to be our landscape, just as Highway 61 or Route 66 are recognised as American, or Autobahn in Germany". Tony Auton
... continues below ...
We first met just after the Snakes single was released, which got a pile of kudos. Did this surprise you?
"Nah, it's catchy, man!"
"We wrote it in ten minutes, played it through once at rehearsal and just KNEW! We were all giggling knowing it was original and brilliant". Tony Auton
Subsequently you've been signed to Zip Records in San Francisco and then later Repeat in the UK. How did they come about?
"I think people just liked 'Snakes', the UK, European and American reviews and airplay were great, but more than that when we played around England people knew that song and just went mad, even if they knew nothing else about us. We only make the music, the listener makes the night, makes something special, it is just great to have contributed to all the music that we love ourselves ... to have that feeling, even if it is only once". Tony Auton
Have you made any progress in the US as a result? Any touring plans?
"We are playing there early next year at the SXSW festival. People like Jack Rabid have said things about us that make you gulp and enjoy the fact that music can reach so many people in all sorts of odd places". David Auton
What's the biggest difference being on an Indy label has made for you as a band?
"It means that someone likes it beyond us. A small Indy label is just like a band really, a music fan hollering 'listen to this!' Other folk trust and know the labels, trust their opinions and therefore know that we are not a bunch of self-righteous pricks with bubbles for brains ... we have our slant on life and music and we want our take to be what comes out of us, not someone elses voice, not something we have copied". Ray Auton
Quite a few of your songs have a political consciousness. Why?
"Property developers! The fact that there don't appear to be any MPs with any principles anymore, or if they do have principles they're terrified to let them show. I'm not surprised people are disillusioned with party politics". David Auton
"We grew up with Thatcher ... we know hate". Tony Auton
You've billed yourselves as Electro/Punk or Electro Rock and Roll. What elements from Punk do you think are worth saving?
"The DIY attitude and some truly great music". David Auton
"The noise, the attack". Ray Auton
"The licence to explore and be different, to do it quickly, to not be on a marketing trend, but mostly because loads of music from that period sounds wicked as sin!" Tony Auton
You have a nice big thick electro sound - what do you use to lay it down?
"At the moment just a Korg Triton, but I use samples from just about anywhere". David Auton
"And we use a stylophone!" Tony Auton
Any influences you'd care to admit to?
"Roxy Music, Pink Floyd's first album, Ennio Morricone". David Auton
"Killing Joke. Bauhaus. The Stranglers". Ray Auton
"Pauline Murray and the Invisible Girls, This Mortal Coil, The Smiths, French Wine". Tony Auton
You've got Bleepfest Paris coming up on the 8th November 2008. Have you played in France before? Please give us a list of gigs for around that time.
"We have never played abroad before, so it is the show we are looking forward to most in the world! We played with Sparks on one of their 21 consequtive nights in London and that was special, if you like Sparks you will understand what we do in part. We are playing London and Portsmouth the week before in England. The London show is pretty special - it is with Scarlet Soho, one of our favourite bands to play with. Flag Promotions normally put us on in London, but this is an arty, strange as strange night with DJs, VJs and Xrays ... bit like Bleepfest really! The London show has EJ Norman playing with us and DJ Andrew Morrison from Dandelion Radio, so both pretty special nights". Tony Auton
See you in Paris! and thanks
"Merci!" Autons xxx
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