HOLIDAYS IN MONTPELLIER

Automatics formed in Linares, Jaén, in 1991 when four burgeoning songwriters united under a shared love of UK‑inspired indie rock. Their earliest demos—distributed through fanzines and winning a spot in the National Roland‑Rock finals—quickly caught the attention of aficionados hungry for distorted‑guitar anthems. By 1993, they had signed to a national label and released their first EP, Drive Wheel, alongside a demo that topped specialist radio charts. Their 1994 debut album, buoyed by the single “Sixty,” showcased their knack for marrying taut riffs with melodic hooks, leading to festival appearances and compilation spots across Spain and Europe. Evolving rapidly, the group issued successive singles—Slow Song (1995) and Ultrasónica (1996)—before unveiling their second LP, Space Rock Melodies, in 1997. That record’s blend of neo‑psychedelia and dance‑driven rock earned them positions at major events like Doctor Music and France’s Eurockéennes. In 1999, Automatics came tantalizingly close to pop perfection with Duty, premiered at Benicàssim. Their final single, “Wilson, Love Me,” arrived in 2001 just before their amicable split. From their members emerged two new acts—Universal Circus and Husband—each carrying forward the spirit of innovation. In 2013, Automatics encapsulated their decade‑long journey with the 1991–2001 compilation, reaffirming their place in Spain’s indie‑pop pantheon.