Automat

There are at least three groups using this name. (1) Automat is also the artist formerly known as David Doll:- Hailing from North London, their material pulls together elements of pop both past and present resulting in a diverse, melodic collection of songs. Formed in 2007, they have grown in popularity in part because of their powerful live appearances. The band consist of David Doll (Vocals, Keyboards & Synths, Rhythm Guitars), Bernie Devine (Guitars, b.v.'s), Marc Laming (Bass, b.v.'s), Matt Taylor (Drums, keyboards, b.

There are at least three groups using this name. (1) Automat is also the artist formerly known as David Doll:- Hailing from North London, their material pulls together elements of pop both past and present resulting in a diverse, melodic collection of songs. Formed in 2007, they have grown in popularity in part because of their powerful live appearances. The band consist of David Doll (Vocals, Keyboards & Synths, Rhythm Guitars), Bernie Devine (Guitars, b.v.'s), Marc Laming (Bass, b.v.'s), Matt Taylor (Drums, keyboards, b.v.'s), and Tony Ingram (Saxes, percussion). They release on the credible stereo label.

Their official page is at http://www.automatmusic.com/. (2) Automat is a group formed by the Italian musicians Romano Musumarra and Claudio Gizzi:- They released a single eponymous album of instrumental electronic music. It was produced in 1977 and released in 1978 by EMI Italy, through its Harvest label. All the sounds in this album were generated by the MCS70, a monophonic analog synthesizer designed, built and programmed by the Italian engineer Mario Maggi . Automat was Musumarra's initiative; after learning about the new instrument he proposed to EMI Italy the production of an album of electronic instrumental music. Although at the time such a project were considered risky, the answer was positive.

EMI suggested, however, that Claudio Gizzi , a more experienced composer that already worked with them, also participated in the project. The composition work was divided then: side A to Gizzi, who filled it with a long suite with 3 movements, and side B to Musumarra, who composed three shorter pieces. They had an exiguous time to complete the project: only four weeks in studio. Due this the last track, Mecadence, was left somewhat incomplete. Automat was the result of an unrepeatable sequence of events. The final result did not please either Musumarra and Gizzi nor the producers.

They never collaborated in any other project nor had the opportunity to use the MCS70 again. Automat has only been released on CD once. Despite of this (or perhaps because of this) achieved a "cult" status among many fans of electronic music. (3) Automat is also the stage name of an anonymous French tecnho/electronica producer:- He claims to be from Etang Salé les Bains on Réunion island, a French territory near Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Has has been working since at least 1997 and has released on several indie labels including diplom, Full Panda, Point One, Sounds Around and Karat.

His page is at http://www.myspace.com/automatfr User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL..