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Autons
'No sucker makes it from Portsmouth'. Subba talks to half of Autons as they begin the south coast revolution.
With their second album about to land on the cusp of the new year and some extensive touring under their belt, including an impressive date supporting oddball legends, Sparks, Autons are making a fair stab at breaking out of the confines of their Portsmouth roots. With their synth-ridden nuggets of stomping electro, cheeky cult TV references and Ramones-esque matching surnames, Autons are bang on trend. Just, er, don't tell them that...
You're originally from Portsmouth, a town not exactly known for it's thriving music scene- did you find it hard getting yourself out there or was the challenge helpful in any way?
David : I think wherever you're from you should reflect it to some extent in what you do. As for the geography, well it's only about 80 miles from London!
Tony : Those 80 miles could be a million. Yes its hard, but no harder than anywhere else. Bands make it from Bonga Banga in the Australian outback but no sucker makes it from Portsmouth :-)
Where did the name Autons come from?
David : The Autons are from Doctor Who (they are plastic mannequins that come to life). I have loads of Dr Who stories on video and DVD and my favourite is 'Terror of the Autons' with Jon Pertwee.
There are quite a lot of electro/ synth-led bands making a name forthemselves at the moment- where would you say you fit into this'scene' or, alternatively, what sets you apart?
David: Well, we've never consciously tried to be part of any scene, we just do what we do. Having said that, its great that there seem to be more electro bands coming out. Crystal Castles are great.
Cliched a question as it is, who would you say your biggest influences are and are they still changing?
David : Collectively, our biggest influences are rock and roll, whether it's Eddie Cochran, the Clash, Sex Pistols. I do personally love Roxy Music and Pink Floyds first LP
Tony : I am into the production of Martin Hannett at the moment, particularly a totally ignored classic by Pauline Murray and the Invisible Girls. I love the way the Factory era stuff wasn’t done for fame and fortune but just for love and sound and the ‘art’.
There are a few tracks on your new album that have a discernably heavier sound (Crystal for example). Was that a conscious decision andwould you say that's a direction you'd like to pursue more for futurereleases?
David : Yeah, I guess it was a conscious decision. We used a live bass for this album and also a live drummer for some of the tracks. As for future releases, I really couldnt say!
Where did the Dad's Army reference of the album title come from?
David : Dad's Army is my favourite TV programme, and one day we were trying to come up with a name for the album and I just happened to be wearing my Dads Army T-shirt which says: 'Who Do You Think You Are Kidding?'
How would you say your live sound compares with that on record?
David : It's certainly more raw and hopefully more exciting.
You played a gig over the summer with Sparks, what was it like supporting such a huge artist and did they give you any useful advice?
David : It was a brilliant night, such a fanatastic venue.
Tony : The two R’s were at the venue for six hours perfecting the sound and songs for their audience ... That is why they are so good, attention to detail, passion for the music and their audience.
If you got the opportunity who would be your dream tour buddies?
David : I really dont know. Hot Chip maybe?
Tony : David Bowie at Wembley would be cool.
And finally, what does 2009 hold for Autons?
David : More shows, more recording, probably more fights!
Tony : We are off to SXSW and it looks like one of our songs is going to be used as the theme music for a TV series ... So breakfast telly and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Some Dignity for us :-)
Thanks to Tony Rollinson
www.myspace.com/autonsland
New album, 'Who Do You Think You Are Kidding?' is out Jan 26th
CHECK OUR REVIEW: http://www.subba-cultcha.com/article_album.php?id=8868
Lisa Wright
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