Instant Automatons

About

In the fog-laden corners of the UK's post-punk underground, Instant Automatons thrived, a brief yet vivid spark of DIY ingenuity. Between 1978 and 1981, they channeled the raw energy of cassette culture, leaving behind a fractal trail of sound through their six releases. Their sonic artifacts, like "Tape Transport" (1981) and "Radio Silence The Art Of Human Error" (1979), are sculptural explorations in minimalism and lyrical absurdity, captured on tape via Deleted Records. Operating at the intersection of minimalist soundscapes and non-conventional song structures, the Automatons engaged in a process-driven dance that defied the conventional boundaries of punk. Their work, akin to contemporaries such as Digital Dinosaurs and Scrotum Poles, contributed to an interdisciplinary dialogue within the underground scene. The release "Eating People - Hints For The Housewife" (1980) exemplifies their liminal approach, merging domestic absurdity with musical experimentation. While mainstream appeal was never the aim, their experimental roots and obscure charm resonate with a niche audience even today. The enigmatic Mic Woods helmed the Automatons, though his precise role remains as mysterious as the music itself, leaving us to ponder the echoes of this ephemeral project.