“I guess this is what they call a ‘Homecoming Show’,” says lead singer Rob.
Sure is, sonny. That’s why they queued up the road past Wetherspoons. That’s why your family is in the crowd. That’s why there’s been a group of ten young men waiting two inches from the stage for the last two hours for you to come on, each with their own emblazoned, freshly-purchased-and-put-on t-shirts bearing your band’s name.

This show’s been teed up beautifully – support slots around the country with The Ordinary Boys and The Kooks have left these Cowbridge lads looking like brightest star to come out of (nearly) Cardiff since Mclusky trail-blazed their bastard rock to all and sundry.

But for all the previous Hype And Hyperbole™ they don’t seem quite up to facing the challenge head on. The majority of this show seems to be clutching at straws already extensively blown on by bands a lot better and more accomplished – the SHOU! TING! SY! LLA! BLES! WITH! A! GEN! DA! bit they’ve borrowed from Kinesis, the endless need to be cheeky chappies (did anyone see Arctic Monkeys’ acceptance speech at the Brits?) and the fashion direction and tomfoolery as choreographed by The Blood Brothers - all glaring examples of a lack of anything original to do or say.

There are at least a few shards of potential. Upcoming single 'Raoul' is a stop-starty anthem-in-waiting, a saving grace lurking behind the currently rather uninspiring stage show. 'Recover' also hints at a song-writing ability which may well hit its peak in the album sessions if nurtured well.

For now, it all seems a bit misguided – like anyone could be up here playing those power chords or hitting those keys. This kind of thing takes the shine off of individuality. You couldn’t imagine anyone else belting out 'Paranoid Android' and nor could you picture anyone other than Bowie in lightning bolt make-up. If The Automatic are to make an impression on 2006 they're going to need to find a little something to set them apart from the rest, and fast.