old band - Automatic fine tuning
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Topic: old band - Automatic fine tuning
Posted By: wilbur44
Subject: old band - Automatic fine tuning
Date Posted: August 14 2008 at 18:45
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Has anyone heard of a band called Automatic Fine Tuning.I have . It would be considered a twin guitar attack ,but I think it is prog. all the way. Oh.! the kicker is there is no vocals. ------------- P.Hardy |
Replies:
Posted By: b_olariu
Date Posted: August 15 2008 at 02:29
| Yes, i heard and i have the album, quite intristing and well played, a tresure of the mid '70's. I suggested many times to be added here on PA but nobody heared about this band, or they don't want to be here. Anyway worth every second of AFT selftitled album from 1976 |
Posted By: GentleGiant
Date Posted: August 15 2008 at 02:53
Yeah, a kind of instrumental proggy Wishbone Ash version 
------------- BeGiantForADay "This British band is just the cup of tea for aficionados who demand virtuosity,progress and originality in their mix." http://rateyourmusic.com/~GentleG |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: August 16 2008 at 21:20
I saw them back in the summer of '76... but I cannot for the life of me remember anything about them - I guess I'm going to have to track them down and have a listen.   ------------- What? |
Posted By: b_olariu
Date Posted: September 04 2008 at 12:10
Still nobody from PA is instristing about this fabulous band , is instrumental hevy prog from the highest class. It's a shame that this band is so underrated, really a shame. 
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: September 04 2008 at 13:15
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Good band, I just started listening to the myspace music: http://www.myspace.com/automaticfinetuning76 - http://www.myspace.com/automaticfinetuning76 I'll mention it to Heavy Prog. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=402387050 - ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: September 04 2008 at 17:28
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I'm impressed.. HeavyProg will seriously consider AFT, thanks |
Posted By: b_olariu
Date Posted: September 05 2008 at 03:28
| Finally some intrest among collaborators for this band, a step forward, i'm waiting in the future to see this band here. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: September 08 2008 at 14:02
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Just to let you know that Automatic Fine Tuning was added to Heavy Prog by David. Clink on hyperlink --> ../artist.asp?id=3955 - AUTOMATIC FINE TUNING I think it took a little longer because no music samples were made available immediately. Here's the only other topic I could find:
But that's in prog polls, and seeing a band there I would normally assume that it was already in the archives. Anyway; great band indeed. It makes the kind of music I like to rock out too. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: September 08 2008 at 16:22
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yes many thanks to both Patrick and Bogdan for their indispensable help, and they've both been credited at the bottom of the bio ..wonderful find! |
Posted By: trevdarks
Date Posted: April 14 2009 at 12:59
| Hi,I'm Trev Darks and I wrote nearly all the music with Paul McDonnell on the A.F.T album.Gladioli was Written by Bob Cross.This album took nearly 3 yrs to write and none of it was improvised.Paul was never recognised as the supreme innovator he was:Paul & Bob were the first guitarists to use synthesised gtrs called Stramp-a German Co.Unfortunately Loyd Grossman of T.V.fame produced & destroyed our music which was amazing heard live.I have been very surprised and pleased by the comments of you all.We were trying to write a Rock Guitar Symphony with all the dynamic nuance and power that could be achieved with just 4 instruments.I say the music was not improsed:it was & from extensive jams we extracted the bits that worked.If you would like any information on how the album was made please reply.That anyone listens to what we made 33 yrs ago is truly moving. Thankyou. |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: April 14 2009 at 16:27
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Welcome Trev - I hope that our coverage of AFT has helped revive some interest in the band. If you see anything we've missed in the biography, or have anything else to add we will happily amend it. ------------- What? |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: April 14 2009 at 18:15
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^ we certainly will hey Trev, wonderful to hear from you..my jaw dropped when I heard the cuts on the AFT myspace after our member b_olariu suggested them, and was so pleased to have added you guys here. A project that was years ahead of its time.  |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: April 14 2009 at 18:26
So very happy to have you here ! Your album has been recommended as one of the 'unknown gems' of Heavy Prog, which hopefully will give it a lot more exposure.
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: April 14 2009 at 18:31
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^ indeedy-weedy |
Posted By: b_olariu
Date Posted: April 15 2009 at 04:56
| Hi Trev, I'm b_olariu, the one who recommended this amazing band AFT to PA members. Quite an intrsting aqusition I made with this band and has a special place in my collection so far. Anyway good to hear news from you, and keep up th good work in anything you do right now, and tanks for the music, good stuff , really. |
Posted By: trevdarks
Date Posted: April 16 2009 at 05:40
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I'm amazed at this. For your interest,we couldnt do edits like u can do today so each track was recorded live in the studio it was quite a challenge and strenuous on the wrists & fingers.The 2nd long section was cut by the producers so they could stick a short song on it. It was a challenge to remember the arrangements, & we developed tricks to help this as nothing at all was written down,it was all memorised.
Paul had all sorts of gadgets like the lesley spinning spkr horn and he chopped up a then cheap Gibson SG2 into a sort of bat shape so he could play with a violin bow,with slider controls also instead of knobs.Bob cross was a great player ,we all loved Gladioli.We formed in Reading and were originally called Glyder.We were after a system combining Allman Bros meets Vivaldi with a bit of Led Zep.Any other queries Ill be happy answer.
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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: April 16 2009 at 05:58
remember this Trev? 
 ...I've got that framed on my wall in my dining room ... ------------- What? |
Posted By: trevdarks
Date Posted: April 16 2009 at 11:28
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Funny uve got Gong on that poster-I played bass & received a writing credit on Mother Gong Fairy
Tales album rec circa 1978.
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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: April 16 2009 at 12:48
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According to the running list AFT appeared just before The Enid on Sunday - since The Enid were one of the main reasons I attended the festival, so would have undoubtedly caught the ATF set too. I'm a little embarrassed to say I cannot remember much, but it was 33 years ago... ------------- What? |
Posted By: trevdarks
Date Posted: April 16 2009 at 12:58
| We did play before the Enid,another great innovatory band.the PA was buzzing during most of our set,the sound crews getting it rite-practising on the opening act.Ted Nugent played that day |
Posted By: trevdarks
Date Posted: April 16 2009 at 13:01
| You are correct,althogh our set was ruined by the sound crew practising their parts.Didnt Ted Nugent play that day? |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: April 16 2009 at 13:21
^ Yes, him and Black Oak Arkansas - neither appealed to me but I was beyond caring by then  ------------- What? |
Posted By: davynewham
Date Posted: September 28 2009 at 15:49
Good to read your remarks on the AFT album Trev.I watched you all as Glider in the Target in Reading in the 70s You,Muttley.Ronnie McQinn,Paul,Barry( then IK )& Richard.My brother Terry passed himself off as a roadie with you guys,he was affectionately known as Jock. I saw AFT at Reading in 76 and was really impressed how things had progressed,if I remember correctly you had a bit of an equipment issue there.I still have the AFT album and still enjoy digging it out from time to time. What happened to the guys from Reading,Paul etc (Dumb Blondes ?!) 
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Posted By: Duncanos
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 15:19
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Hi,
Was good friends with members of The Dumb blondes / boys from brazil and have sadly lost contact with them. Mike and Paul last i knew living in London. Mike has a daughter and I believe he is divorced/seperated.
Would love to see Mike McDonnell again. John Payne married with kids somewhere. Foxley the drummer likewise. Nick Hollings teaching guitar in Reading still I think.
If anyone can get me in touch with Mike from reading this forum id be delighted. ncanos.
Duncanos ------------- rockyacockyamookers |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 12:20
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Just moving this topic because the band has been in for a long time/ it's no longer a band suggestion for PA thread.
------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: Kevin01
Date Posted: February 04 2010 at 13:55
Trev - You still around Cornwall or Devon brewing burgers? Just after AFT broke up, me, you, Bob and Brendon (drummer) did a load of work at Sam's house in Heanton - Remember those days? Got to say it - Bob was an amazing guitarist you your bass playing blew me away - Great times! Give me a shout ([email protected]) Kev |
trevdarks wrote:Posted By: Cock Willis
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 19:58
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Oh wow - I've been looking out for info on your band for decades. I saw the band I guess not long after the album was released at the Marquee in London. There was a bit of a stir 'cause Ian Anderson was in the audience. I bought the album the following weekend and been listening to it for decades. It's the only record I've converted to mp3s.
I remember seeing something on the net a few years ago saying that one of the guitarists died. Is this true?
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Posted By: Muttley
Date Posted: March 21 2010 at 23:16
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Hi All,
My name is Steve Lusted (Muttley) and was the drummer with Trevor, Paul, Bob and Ronnie when we was Glider. I had a breakdown and sadly left the band just before they renamed it to AFT, Dave Ball took my place on drums and did a formidable job, plus he could sing better than me anyway LOL. I shortly left to live in Perth, Western Australia and still here today. AFT and the old band Glider was way ahead in time with the stile of the music and I to am saddened the guys did not continue to stick together. And on another sad note, Bob Cross did pass away many years ago and my wife Kym and I still keep in touch with his family in Reading.
I must admit, I cried like a baby when I saw this post as I have been searching for info on the guys most of my life here in OZ and never could find much on them, looked in BT phone directories and looking on the net, but now maybe have a chance of contacting them? TREVOR, WERE THE HELL ARE YOU?
If anyone has or know of anyone that may have photos of the old band Glider, then please contact me, I would love to reminisce and also show my kids the band, as sadly I have only one single picture of me and Bob.
Any one can drop me a line ( mailto:[email protected] - [email protected] )
Love you guys,
Muttley
Steve Lusted
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Posted By: Kevin01
Date Posted: March 22 2010 at 16:39
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Steve (Muttly), When Bob moved to Devon, he and his new girlfriend (Jo) lived opposite me and because of my involvement with music, we quickly got to know each other. Hearing he died (And now knowing it was 18 years ago), really sent a shock through me. (I moved to Poland 20 years ago and have only been back to Devon 3-4 times) Through Robert, I met Trev and we started working on some stuff - I brought in Brendon, but, like me, he realised there was no future in the set up - He went of to work with Elkie Brookes and is still there today - I can't speak highly enough of either Trevor or Robert - They were top drawer musicians - But, I honestly think stuck on the aft path which was always going to lead nowhere. (I am not pissing on aft - I simply think aft needed a lot more lyrics to get the blend right - I don't know how Robert passed away or even if he was still in Devon - As for Trevor - He was running a sort of outdoor burger bar and was planning to move to Cornwall to do the same down there. I heard all the stories about Glider and your involvment - but, having read your post today, Finding this news about Robert a bit of a handfull - Did some googling and found a post by his daughter - The dates would suggest Jo was her mother, but, because both Rob and Jo were so heavily into booze nand other things, I really don't know - her post is below - Kev - btw, Steve - my email is [email protected] - To me this is a dream come ture to hear really for the first time a part of my dads music. I am Emily Cross and my father was the guiarist Robert Cross. Unfortuntly he past away when i was just only five, 19years ago never to see him or no of his band perform. But i was told about him from his parents my Nan and Grandad and the bands groupies aswell of some of his good friends who all would tell my storys about how dad had magic fingers, how good him and his band was how that would play in the Reading Rock Festival. Only now knowing that the band A.F.T released an album in the summer of 1976, oh ya and how they choose the name A.F.T they couldn't agree on a name for it so someone shouted out "call it any f***ing thing" so they did, but it couldnt really say that on a front cover or out loud so they shortened it to A.F.T and made it into Automatic Fine Tuning so hat was that. Anything my Dad done i am very proud of i am very lucky to have had a Dad that altough he had little time with me and my sister the time he did have of his rock younger days, the traveling the giges the friends and family which all said he live life to the full such a great man with alot of talent he had and enjoyed that life. I would love to no more about the band and his self all my love emily x |
Posted By: Muttley
Date Posted: March 24 2010 at 23:36
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Hi Kevin,
Sorry I had to be the one to inform you of Bob's illness and about him passing away, he had the big C and lost his battle with the disease many years ago. Jo was his wife and had two children Emily and Carmen, but separated some years later. I will email you of more details soon Kevin.
Trevor could tell you more about the tracks on the AFT album, but as they decided not to continue with a vocalist (excluding Queen or the Night) some of the earlier works that we did in Glider, was lost as far as I can remember. Terminal C had beautiful words that the guys wrote, and hopefully Trevor maybe able to dig them up for us, as I cannot remember them. And as you can see in the track list Panjandrum wheel, Terminal C and Wolvereine was originally single tracks, along with other works,
Love to all,
Steve
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Posted By: Muttley
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 03:06
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I thought some of you guys may find this of interesting, I found a site of Stephen Paul who was one of the guys that recorded AFT for Charisma back in 75. Interesting and also very pleasing for me, to note what he said about the band as follows, “the band http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=automatic+fine+tuning+charisma+1122&btnG=Search - AFT (Automatic Fine Tuning) who is often referred to as the grand daddy of metal”. Here is the link http://stephenpaul.org/music/ - http://stephenpaul.org/music/ and also the text from his site. Regards,
Muttley
By the mid-seventies, my recording projects started to traverse the Atlantic Ocean. In '75, I made a record for Tony Stratton Smith's label http://charismalabel.com/ - Charisma/Atlantic . The band was http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=automatic+fine+tuning+charisma+1122&btnG=Search - AFT (Automatic Fine Tuning) who is often referred to as the grand daddy of metal. Two of my favorite artists, http://petergabriel.com/ - Peter Gabriel and http://alanparsonsmusic.com/ - Alan Parsons , were on Tony's label at the time. I recorded AFT in a barn at http://j-tull.com/ - Ian Anderson's (Jethro Tull) farm outside London using the http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rolling_Stones_Mobile_Studio&redirect=no - Rolling Stones Mobile (a/k/a http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=maison+rouge+mobile+studio&btnG=Search - Maison Rouge Mobile Studio ). In '76, I recorded the http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=philip+goodhand-tait+chrysalis+oceans+away&btnG=Search - Phillip Goodhand-Tait demos and shortly thereafter he was picked up by Chrysalis/EMI. Phillip was the founder of the http://stormsvilleshakers.com/ - Stormsville Shakers and contributed some songs (and keyboard playing) on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Daltrey#Solo_discography - Roger Daltry's Ride A Rock Horse and One Of The Boys solo albums. On the other side of the Atlantic, I built a 24 track studio in Philly (Earmark) at which many projects were recorded during its five year history. Several other Engineers worked with me at Earmark including http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/appears/0,,522169,00.html#more - John Doelp and http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/appears/0,,511004,00.html#more - Ben Wisch . Earmark did quite a bit of major label work for Columbia/Sony, ABC Dunhill/Peacock, Elektra, Atlantic, MCA and others. The legendary http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dixie_Hummingbirds - Ira Tucker , founder and lead vocalist of the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dixie_Hummingbirds - Dixie Hummingbirds , produced eleven gospel albums for ABC at Earmark including one by the Jackson Southernaires. And, http://steviewonder.com/ - Stevie Wonder , http://sistersledge.com/ - Sister Sledge , http://pattilabelle.com/ - Patti LaBelle , http://nonahendryx.com/ - Nona Hendryx , Sara Dash, http://www.hotdiscomix.de/charts/pop_top200.htm - Trussel , http://fredwesley.com/ - Fred Wesley (James Brown, George Clinton), William DeVaughn, John Davis, http://newenglandrocks.com/ - New England and many other artists and musicians recorded at Earmark. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 17:41
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great to see AFT back on the map where they deserve |
Posted By: PaulMacd
Date Posted: June 05 2010 at 04:48
| Morning Darks, blast from the past or what? I don't remember you starting Part 1, it was always me when we played live. Still alive and still writing. I've done a make-over on the front end, which I'll send you if you give me somewhere to mail it. So sorry to hear about Bobbo. R.I.P. |
Posted By: PaulMacd
Date Posted: June 05 2010 at 23:21
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Hi Trev, lovely to talk to you after all these years. Thanks for the compliments. One tries one's best. To any AFT fans out there: [email protected] Years ahead of its time maybe, but 34 years? Paul |
Posted By: diddlepara
Date Posted: July 06 2010 at 19:43
| Trevor! I had wondered what happened to my first serious band mates,even though I missed out on the album which Dave did brilliantly.The band I joined after you(valhalla) supported ac/dc at the Marquee for their first ever gigs in London and I still have a program also showing aft on in the same month.I suppose the punk movement put some nails in the coffin as well as the cooking by grossman ! I would like to catch up with you sometime so give me a contact e-mail.What news of paula and bobbo? Also did you know 21 Formosa street does not exist any more.I go past there often as my aunt is still living in a flat nearby,shes' 90 and has a casette copy of the album but it could kill her if played!!!!Love from the original drummer tim x |
Posted By: diddlepara
Date Posted: July 06 2010 at 20:01
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Dear All aft bloggers,
Having just posted my initial blog I had not realised that all of you had posted so many comments.The news of bobbo is very sad and it was a very special time I had with you guys, although I couldn't stay the distance.My memories are all the rehearsing/blowing in the squat and a few other things to...contact [email protected] rest in riffs bobbo, tim x |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: January 13 2011 at 02:11
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Hi Trev. At LONG last, I have been trying to find out about your band for years! Your AFT album has always been my all time fave album. Your band were also the first band I ever saw as well. I think it was late 1976? it was at the Ritz Cinema , Long Eaton in Nottingham can you recall that gig? I remember most of it like yesterday. There was a power cut and Dave Ball did a short drum solo before power was restored! I was right at the front (in front of Rob). I remember that a few of us got up to "dance" and a guy who was totally drunk fell over Rob's effects! and he just laughed and carried on! That gig will always be my fave gig and it brings back wonderful memories for me. I have a huge list of questions but here's a few to be going on with for now..... There was a vocalist who got up to sing who was he? You guys played a track that "is going to be on our next album" do you recall what it was called? Did you ever record another AFT album that didn't get issued? i could have sworn it was Rob Cross who played with a bow and not Paul as was suggested in another post? although my memory fades! no sorry it was Paul! I have a 1975 Rickenbacker 4001 bass that I play in my Budgie tribute band (In For The Kill), do you still have yours and what age is it? I only got one because Chris Squire and yourself used one! Your album and that 1st gig inspired me to take up guitar and later bass. I did notice that Paul himself has been on here and left his email address so you can be sure i'll be emailing him with an awul lot of questions (sorry Paul)! Thanks and best wishes Tony C. (Tony Clark) ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: January 13 2011 at 02:13
Paul. I hope you don't mind if I email you? but I warn you I have a LOT of questions! I've been wondering what happened to you and the band for years. Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: February 01 2011 at 10:46
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The silence is deafening! so I can only assume that Trev and Paul or not part of this forum anymore? No reply to my email either, mmmmm'
------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: trev darks
Date Posted: February 08 2011 at 15:19
| Hi trev Darks here,I.m sorry for not acknowleding your post,my computer skills are abysmal. I'm quite happy to reply to any queries & after nearly 30 years am back in touch with Paul MacDonnell with whom I wrote the bulk of the material on "Automati Fine Tuning". So if you have any questions please feel free to ask. I do have a my space site called Trev Darks where I've left a taster of some of the material I've written since AFT. |
Posted By: trev darks
Date Posted: February 08 2011 at 15:21
| By the way I do LOVE that Red Rick 4001-my fave Bass Gtr. |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: February 08 2011 at 16:11
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http://www.myspace.com/trevdarks" rel="nofollow - http://www.myspace.com/trevdarks in case anyone can't find if from Trev's clues. ------------- What? |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: February 08 2011 at 16:20
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Going back to something Trev mentioned on Page 1 - this is cool: http://www.synthmuseum.com/stramp/smpsyn201.html" rel="nofollow -
http://www.synthmuseum.com/stramp/smpsyn201.jpg" rel="nofollow">
 http://www.synthmuseum.com/stramp/smpsyn201.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.synthmuseum.com/stramp/smpsyn201.html ------------- What? |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: February 08 2011 at 18:26
Hi Trev, great to hear from you and thanks for replying. it's great to know you are back in touch with Paul after so long. Have you checked your private messages on this site? I have asked you some questions. In case you didn't get it the first time i've just sent the same email again to you. I also sent Paul an email with the same questions but he has not replied. To read your messages simply click on "New Messages" which is situated top left hand corner of the page, then click on your "inbox" . I will take a look on your Myspace page right now. Thanks and best wishes to you Tony. PS: Glad you like the Ricky! ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: trev darks
Date Posted: February 09 2011 at 05:06
| Hi Tony, I remeber Budgie well:the albun cover with a budgies head on a warrior? Paul & I are quite amazed by the responses on this AFT site & quite touched that people appreciate what we were trying to do;which was to write a quasi classical 2 movement symphony with none of the cliches that marred rock-classical hybrid music like Deep Purple (an amazing rock band)etc. None of us were formally trained musicians although Paul had a good knowledge of classical music such as J.S.Bach & Vivaldi which is reflected in what we wrote.We formed in Reading in 1973(appx)where we were at University there,and won a band competition as Glyder(judged by Paul Jones of Manfred Mann-no less) Thus encouraged & with an ever changinf line-up including Mutley(Steve Lusted) mentioned on this site we finally de-camped to squat in Maida Vale London @ 21 Formosa St.sometime in 1974/5. I,m not sure of the dates exactly as no one was keeping a record.During this period Mutley left the band to emigrate to Australia,& Bob Cross became the main second guitarist.After auditioning many drummers to replace him, Dave Ball,also from Reading(he was in a band there called Gambler) completed the line up.We wrote the bulk of the AFT album during this period although many ideas were translated into the arrangement that we had created in Reading(Castle St. in the attic)! We wrote by improvising either guitar or bass sequences & then formalising the impro's into concrete arrangements.We were initially signed to a guy called Richard Bliss from Marblehead Massachusets USA, who introduced us to the Grossman brothers Neal & Loyd(of through the keyhole fame)& a real pair of creeps-but they did get us the contract with Charisma. Sadly they got their incompetent mits on the recording & production of the album(recorded in a week @ Ridge Farm studios on Maison Rouge mobile rec.unit) We were all extremely unhappy with the finished mix & recording which didnt capture the band at all-AFT were an amazing live band as any who heard us will testify.Here lay the reasons for the bands demise. Apart from personal issues which I dont want to mention here,Charisma did not want to re-record the album:there were hostile elements to the band inside Charisma notably an exec called Gail Coulson.THey wanted us to get a vocalist etc etc & were not prepared to financially support the band during this period: nor were our so-called managers the Grossman brothers who had done quite nicely thank you out of managerial advances from Charisma.Will return here shortly |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: February 09 2011 at 08:01
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Wow thanks for that Trev. I can well testify to how good your band were live! Your band was the first gig that I went to at the Ritz Cinema in Long Eaton Nottingham in 1976, it's stll the best gig i've been to. If you would rather email me than put sensitive stuff on here you can always email if you like? here: [email protected] If you wish to continue on here for others to read then that's fine with me as others might be as keen as I am to know the bands history. Thanks very much for your time. Tony. ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: trev darks
Date Posted: February 09 2011 at 08:27
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As far as gear was concerned,I started with a Gibson (ebo?) short scale bass, the SG shape which was OK but didnt intone v. well cuz of the short scale.When I moved to London I had an original black 'n white Rick 4001 with "rick-o-sound" I swopped this for a custom ricky made by Rob Michael who was @ the London College of Furniture & musical instrument design.This was a fantastic bass,unfortunately stolen some time in 1977/8. I fully utilised the split output design but instead of a stereo lead output had two seperate sockets for each P/Up as the stereo leads were always malfuntioning.The bass or neck p/up drove a 200 watt Marshall valve amp with 18" Horn reflex cab which was a brutal low end sound.The treble or bridge P/up drove a 50watt Sound City valve amp through a tiny cab with a 10" speaker sitting on top of the Marshall. I only put sound effects thru' the smaller treble amp to get seperation: eg phaser,tremolo,distortion etc.This set up gives a massive sound although in later years I dispensed with any effects, with AFT effects were essential to give a big and varied sound. Bobbo played a Gibson SG stdrd and Paul an SG special which he'd modified with cut-outs to resemble a bat shape.When we got our recording deal they both bought John Birch gtrs but we had endless problems recording with these because of their thin sound. You cant beat Gibsons,Strats or Tele's for great gtr sounds.Later I obtained an Orange 200 watt Amp & spkr as the Marshall was a tad muddy. Paul was the violinist and he also used a home-made Lesley revolving spkr set featured on the album.Both Bobbo and Paul were the first to use STRAMP gtr synths in the world & these added greatly to our live sound when they didnt go wrong.
As far as other recordings go the only stuff out there is a John Peel Session recorded on the 21st OCT 1976 and broadcast on the 8th Nov 1976. I have tried to locate this recording but the BBC sound archive while being extremely helpful think it may have been erased. So if any one out there has a recording of this session (Titles Racehorses & Great Panj Wheel part2) We'd love to here from you. All other material has been lost. TO BE CONTINUED!!!! |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: February 09 2011 at 08:47
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Thanks for that Trev. Your Marshall 200 must have been a Marshall Major then? I seemed to remember reading something about the two guitarists using John Birch guitars at some point. I DO remember seeing a picture of Paul in a mag like Sounds, New Musical Express or something with a Stramp synth, I wonder if Paul still has it?. I cut it out and saved it later lost in a house move. In fact i'm sure he was using it when I saw you live although he had a lot of floor effects at the time. I would LOVE to hear that John Peel session! Racehorses must have been the track you played when I saw you live, I had no idea at the time what it was called. Incidently a friend of mine had a Marshall 4 X 12 cab the tall TV version, he bought it from a guy who swears he got it from one of the guitarists in AFT but didn't know which one, unfortunately he sold it some years ago. Thanks for the info Trev this is fasinating stuff. I just got your email, I will reply shortly so thanks for that.Tony.
------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: trev darks
Date Posted: February 09 2011 at 10:05
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After AFT acrimoniously folded (Paul & I have only just been in touch after nearly 30 years)Paul did quite a lot of session work-he played on an album by Philip Goodhand-Tait also ruined by the Grossman brothers( every thing they touched turned to sh*te!)just B4 AFT got their deal.What happened to Paul after that I dont know I'm afraid. I started working with a pseudo-punk band called the Monotones,who were quite good
but I went to Greece to get away from the London Music scene. On return I was asked to play bass for Mother Gong on the Fairy Tales album ( a track called Rats featured a part written for AFT-Paul had a great Gtr part for this. I do receive a small credit for this and the live version recorded at Glastonbury in 1979. I've not heard this but you access it on You Tube I think. From here I went to S.Wales & played in the original version of Nik Turner's (Hawkwind) Inner City Unit.On moving back to N.Devon Bobbo Cross came down to live in (first Chivenor)and the Barnstaple.We did play together briefly but by this time his drinking etc with Jo, his girl friend,was starting to get out of control. Bobbo was a great character & he had these stock phrases when he was a bit over; "It wasnt me it was last night" or "Good consternoon afterble". Tragically I didnt have any idea Bobbo had died until Mutley rang mr from Australia last year(2010)I gave up playing (but not writing at this point & moved to Penzance in Cornwall,I'd met my future wife in N.Devon & I lived with her whilst working on deep sea fishing boats. After marriage we ran Restaurants Bars Clubs etc etc. In 1987 we hired a Blues Brothers cover band at the Yacht club in Burnham-on Crouch that I ran with my wife, which featured one David Ball the old AFT drummer. After moving to Devon in 1988 I started playing again & produced an album of song called "Ectoplasm" featuring David Daw on drums & vocals & Paul Mumford a Dartington College of Arts. This album of songs was sent to Gary Katz, Steely Dan's producer. A chap called Julian Marshall ( Julian had a hit with "Dancing in the City" by The Marshall Hain Band-lovely guy & superb musician) had reccommended my tape to Gary Katz. David Daw ,the vocalist/drummer really made these songs-but he was a bit mentally unstable to say the least. I think you can access David on my space-he's the Guy with a cowboy hat & T-shirt. Gary Katz offered us a dealbut again all wenr tits-up. My usual experience of the Music Biz.I have completed three other CD's of material-mostly songs but some instrumentals-& may release these on the internet once I work out how to bloody well do it. Paul & I are trying to get Virgin release the 24 track recordings to us so that we can re-mix the album. I see you can buy "Automatic Fine Tuning" on the internet-Pity we cant get any ryalties for this but hey C'est La Vie. If you think of anything else to ask please do so. I wouldnt mind knowing what Paul got up to either-&/or Dave Ball. Trev Darks |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: February 09 2011 at 11:20
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Yes I bought the cd but I expected that the band would receive royalties! so I guess this was NOT done with your approval then? It would be great to hear the album re-mixed by yourselves. From what you say, it seems that guys in the music biz simply exploit bands for what they can get and it's the musicians that lose out, as ever. I guess it's even harder to make any money nowadays what with downloads and everything, it seems that musicians can only make money by live performances. What a coincidence about Dave Ball turning up like that!! I have just contacted my mate regarding his cab. He says that he had a Marshall 50 head and a tall TV 4X12 cab, and it had GLYDER stencilled on it! what a shame he don't have it anymore. We wern't sure it had been owned by Paul or Bobbo but I guess it must have been. Thanks for this info Trev. I have just emailed you at your wife's email address by the way. Tony. ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: March 05 2011 at 01:38
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If anyone on Progarchives has any AFT newspaper cuttings, video's (in my dreams!), live tapes, posters or ANY AFT memorabilia for sale, or would be kind enough to let me copy I would really appreciate it. Any material will be passed on. Thanks!
------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: toroddfuglesteg
Date Posted: March 05 2011 at 02:00
If you need any help with releasing albums on the internet, we have artists and others in ProgArchives who does it on a regular basis and would be very happy to help you out/do it for you. You only need to ask us and we may sort it out. |
Posted By: Top Cat
Date Posted: May 06 2011 at 08:14
| I used to tape John Peel's shows in the 70s and still have a recording of AFT's "'Racehorses". Happy to let you have the MP3 if you're interested. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: May 06 2011 at 08:16
You are kidding me?  Can I have a copy of that? is it possible for you to put it on cd? I will PM you.------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: May 06 2011 at 08:29
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Please check your PM's Top Cat
------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 06 2011 at 08:43
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I need to check out this band, sounds interesting. And what a great thread! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: May 06 2011 at 08:46
Here you go other tracks are on my faves as well. http://www.youtube.com/user/clarkpegasus4001#p/f/7/X11dagduA0A ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: May 07 2011 at 07:45
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Thanks for your PM Tony, i've replied, and i've emailed you. Cheers mate.
------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: August 13 2011 at 13:47
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Just a reminder i'm still looking! to quote myself.........
"If anyone on Progarchives has any AFT newspaper cuttings, video's (in my dreams!), live tapes, posters or ANY AFT memorabilia for sale, or would be kind enough to let me copy, I would really appreciate it." Cheers all Tony C ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: December 28 2011 at 15:35
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I refuse to let this thread (and band) die! I am still searching for ANY info on Automatic Fine Tuning and also the band Glider who were from the Reading area (UK) in the early/mid 1970's. It was Glider of course who were the band that eventually became AFT. I am still after paper cuttings, pix, recordings (I have the AFT album and also on cd)....ANYTHING on these bands but especially AFT. If you can help, please shoot me a PM on here or email me at: [email protected] Thanks Tony C. ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: September 18 2014 at 15:25
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It's been quite a while since I posted on this thread (or on Prog Archives for that matter). however I am still searching for info, pictures, in fact ANYTHNG Automatic Fine Tuning related. Please get in touch if you have anything via a PM. Many thanks Tony C. ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: October 04 2015 at 06:41
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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 ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: October 04 2015 at 16:53
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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. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: October 05 2015 at 05:53
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. ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: October 05 2015 at 16:01
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Good detective work. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: October 06 2015 at 11:31
Thanks! I try hard ya know Anyone would think I like this band or something ha ha  ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: October 07 2015 at 13:32
Well would you believe it? i've just been messaged by AFT guitarist Paul MacDonnell ! I can't contain myself today i'm chuffed to bit's  This has made my year, never mind my day. ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: October 07 2015 at 14:26
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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. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: Replayer
Date Posted: October 08 2015 at 18:53
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I bought A.F.T. today due to this thread. Fantastic neo-classical heavy rock. I love the twin lead guitar attack and the rhythm section is really tight, as well. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: October 08 2015 at 20:41
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^ No one was doing that except maybe Schenker and Roth (Brian May hinted at it), but not like AFT; they were completely new. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: October 12 2015 at 15:45
Nice one! They were astonishing live and a lot more powerful than the production on the album might suggest. ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: October 23 2015 at 10:54
Here is a nice pic of Automatic Fine Tuning at the Reading Festival 1976. ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: October 07 2016 at 07:55
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Hi folks. it's been a long while since I posted on here. I am still searching for any Automatic Fine Tuning related items. If you have anything of interest please inbox me thank you. Now for the bad news........ People who know me really well, know that the album Automatic Fine Tuning is my fave album. They were the first band I saw live back in 1976, and are really the reason i'm playing. After that gig, all I wanted to do was learn to play guitar and form a band. About one year ago, and initially through this forum I might add, I finally got in contact with my fave guitarist Paul MacDonnell of AFT. However I am absolutely gutted to have been informed last night by AFT bass player Trev Darks that my 6 string guitar hero Paul MacDonnell has passed away this morning of an alcohol related illness. As I said earlier, I had recently been in contact with Paul after all these years via an email, and I was able to ask him some questions I had harboured for 40 years. To say I am gutted is an understatement. RIP Paul. ------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: Jeffro
Date Posted: October 15 2016 at 20:31
| I don't have any AFT items however I am just now checking out this band. Amazing stuff. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: October 15 2016 at 21:48
Sad news. May he rest. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: tonewheels
Date Posted: April 23 2017 at 16:14
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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. |
Posted By: Replayer
Date Posted: April 28 2017 at 00:32
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Thank you for your stories, I enjoyed reading them. This is what I love about this site: finding all these musical gems like AFT that I probably would have never heard otherwise. |
Posted By: markruthin
Date Posted: June 16 2017 at 15:43
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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? ------------- MT |
Posted By: Replayer
Date Posted: June 27 2017 at 08:26
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I have just written my own http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=1738595" rel="nofollow - review of Automatic Fine Tuning's music. Thank you to all who contributed to this thread as it was my main source for information on this innovative and underappreciated band. |
Posted By: Jeffro
Date Posted: June 27 2017 at 09:57
I just bought the MP3 on Amazon.  ------------- We all dwell in an amber subdomain, amber subdomain, amber subdomain. My face IS a maserati |
Posted By: Replayer
Date Posted: June 28 2017 at 08:00
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Hope you enjoy it! It's one of my favorite albums I discovered on PA. |