Wicked Automatic
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Wicked Automatic

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"Pop Meets Rock"





Pop meets rock

By Mike Fortier



Wicked Automatic. Sounds like a pair of words a New England sports fan might use to describe Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady in the fourth quarter of a big game or Red Sox slugger David Ortiz in the late innings of a close game.

In this case though, I'm referring to the Seacoast-based band that recently released the EP "Brave New Story."

The five-song disc clocks in at fewer than 20 minutes, but the brief length belies the amount of music that's packed in here, as the band sets a brisk pace, with each track quickly leading into the next. It's all jump-started by the song "Easy," a soaring power pop track that's carried along by a pounding drumbeat, crisp guitar sound, and catchy refrain of, logically, "she said it's easy." Next up is the classic-rock flavored "Going Blind," (not to be confused with the similarly titled Kiss song) which plays like a modern rock tinged Cheap Trick track.

It's at its midpoint, though, with the somewhat darker and moodier track, "Reach For Me," that Brave New Story hits its peak. Sonically, "Reach For Me" combines a lush, melodic chorus reminiscent of The Get Up Kids with a heavy riffing, Cracker-esque verse.

Teamed with the song's hurricane-ravaged lyrics, it makes for a potent mix of the sad and the sublime. It's also a perfect example of the kind of pop-meets-hard-rock mix that makes "Brave New Story" such a finely authored work.
- Spotlight Magazine


""Fun and Rocking Good""

WICKED AUTOMATIC
Brave New Story
5-song CD
It's hard to think of "heavy" and "poppy" in the context of the same band, especially this one. The guitars are like cinder blocks propping up a high and clear Matthew Sweet/Alex Chilton melodic vocal style, seasoned with Beatlesque harmonies, handclaps and tambourines. The drummer even gets a few double kick licks and there is COWBELL! Later tunes seem to channel bits of REM, the Plimsouls and Smithereens. The band has a lot of drive and energy and are not afraid to have great hooks and melody. This is a fun and rocking good record. (Joel Simches)
- The Noise / Boston


Discography

2005-"Green Room/Firefly" CD single released independently.

2006-"Brave New Story" CD released independently.

2007- Dead Famous Vol. 10 "Razorback Beyond" Compilation CD released on Astral Records / Australia

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Wicked Automatic understands what dues paying is all about. These four, veteran, New England rockers are bringing it all back home with a wide variety of influences and a renewed outlook.

Lead Singer Jonathan Anderson has been a singer/songwriter since the early 90's and has performed in a number of notable bands including Big Chicken Dinner, Vin Vitae and Buzz Mingler. He is also the chairman and chief organizer of a local charity called "Rock For Tots" which has been operating for over 7 years and has raised over $50,000 for child cancer patients through local music performances.

Guitarist Mike O'Neil, Drummer John Viar and Bassist Brian Scanlon all hail from the New Hampshire seacoast and the seminal early 90's band Puddles of Joy. Puddles toured nationally for over four years, released two studio albums and one live album before disbanding in 1998, however, both have continued to write and perform together for more than a decade.

Wicked Automatic released a 5 song CD in December 2006, entitled, "Brave New Story". The E.P. is a 30 minute ride through the rocker's "live free or die" lifestyle. "Easy", the first track on the CD is being added to College, Satellite, Web and Commercial Radio playlists everyday,including WFNX in Providence, Boston and Portland. "Going Blind", the second track on the E.P. was recently picked up by Astral Records for their 10th Dead Famous compilation entitled,"Razorback Beyond". Dead Famous Vol.10, featuring Wicked Automatic is digitally distributed worldwide. Other songs from "Brave New Story" have been licensed to several action sports movies and documentaries, including Ralph Fatello's, "North by Northeast", released in December 2006.

As demand grows from relentless promotion, Wicked Automatic plans to tour the United States, Europe and Australia in 2007.