old band - Automatic fine tuning

I just bought the MP3 on Amazon. 

Hey All, I'm amazed there is stuff on AFT in here. Great band and I saw them in Aberystwyth Uni in 1976, loved the music (great influence on my own playing) and went out and bought the album, on the turntable right now. Quite apart from the tremendous dual harmoni lead playing I remember the fantastic sound (and sight) of the rotary speakers and hearing them on Alan Freeman's show (he really loved them) with a tune called Racehorses, which I'd love to hear again. Anyone out there got a copy?

I've only just found this thread and I've registered specially to add my two penneth worth.

Here's a phrase you won't hear often. AFT were massive in Aberavon.

A local virtuoso guitarist, Mark Sharp, now sadly deceased, was very much the arbiter of good taste amongst the musicians in Port Talbot around 1976/7. His band The Ray Morgan Quartet were exceptionally proficient and Mark's heroes were Zappa, Akkerman and AFT. As a result of Mark's recommendations we all had to raise our game. Every musician in the area had a copy of Automatic Fine Tuning and we'd sit around listening to it discussing how some of the sounds were made.  Great to see that picture at Reading, we always thought the guitars sounded like SG Specials but they look like Les Paul Specials to me. Nearly right!

The Ray Morgan Quartet would do Wolverine at every gig they played. Something I also indulged in in several bands through the decades. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your partners for the waltz" was the announcement. Brilliant, a twin guitar frenzy in Waltz time.

Working out those harmonies was, errmm, challenging. Finding out from Trevor's post that they had no formal training sort of explains things. Like the Beatles vocal harmonies, it's all done by ear rather than by formula.

In subsequent years I'd develop a rudimentary solo piano version of Wolverine and fit it into bits of Hammond solos live too (I play, in order of competence, bass, keys and guitar).

It's confirming to hear that the band were pissed off with the Lloyd Grossman production. Even through the Amstrad PoS system I had then I was really frustrated by the sound that been bestowed on such a great record. Actually though, with the high end record player I have these days, I don't notice it.

Some of the loveliest things about Automatic Fine Tuning are its imperfections. There are obvious little mistakes which we noticed at the time which make it even more astonishing. I remember being in a room with a Mark as he played it to a few of us for the first time and some minor mistake occurred. We all did a double take and someone voiced what we were all thinking, "sh*t, they're playing this live!".

We used to play Galdioli too. Used to call it the mirror song because it's symmetrical in time.

Sad to hear about Bob and Paul but, Trevor, please be aware that there are probably still a generation of Welsh evangelicals spreading the word to anyone who will listen.

Automatic Fine Tuning will always be one of my desert island discs, in the august company of such as Trout Mask Replica, Lumpy Gravy, Rock Bottom, Pawnhearts and, the nearest thing to AFT, though more improvised,  Man's epic Spunk Rock off Greasy Truckers Party.

I don't have any AFT items however I am just now checking out this band. Amazing stuff. 

Here is a nice pic of Automatic Fine Tuning at the Reading Festival 1976.

^ No one was doing that except maybe Schenker and Roth (Brian May hinted at it), but not like AFT; they were completely new.





Edited by Atavachron - October 08 2015 at 20:45

They are without doubt one of the most important and quietly influential bands in heavy rock.  I was very pleased to have added them back in '08.
 

Atavachron wrote: Good detective work.

Thanks! I try hard ya know Anyone would think I like this band or something ha ha

Atavachron wrote: There really isn't much out there.   Not sure what you have in mind; live tapes, tour schedules, t-shirts?   None of those things ever really existed in public.   I'd think your best bet is to try getting in touch with MacDonnell, Cross, Darks, or Ball.   Trevor D has posted in this thread.   He may be able to point you in the right direction.

I'm actually in touch with Trev, and have been since he first posted on here. I've messaged Paul but i've had no reply yet. I don't know what's happened to Dave Ball, and unfortunately Rob Cross passed away i'm afraid.
Trev very kindly sent me lots of info and paper cuttings etc... I've got some info on tour dates as well. I've even got an extremely rare AFT sticker! I used to have a gig poster but that got lost in an house move. I wished I could find another!
One guy on this forum very kindly sent me a cd which was of a recording from Reading Festival with the track Racehorses on it., (well most of the track) which was broadcast live on the radio. I sent a copy to Trev of course.
Only yesterday I was sent a link to photo's from AFT's Reading Festival gig in 1976, pictures which I didn't have. So there is stuff out there.

Greetings all. It's been a while since I posted anything on here.
Just to let you know I am still looking for anything Automatic Fine Tuning related, pic's, posters, recordings etc....Please PM me if you have anything. 
Many thanks Tony C