THE END OF THE ROAD... 



IT is with very great regret that we have to announce that Automatic Slim has finally called it a day…

After more than 40 years of gigs, adventures, fun and friendship the band has  decided to quit while it's ahead. None of us is getting any younger and maintaining the onstage energy and commitment for which Slim has always been known is becoming increasingly difficult. Health issues have led to the cancellation of some gigs in recent times - something Slim had previously only ever done on a handful of occasions in the space of  thousands of shows. We hated disappointing people and felt we were starting to do it too often.

Automatic Slim played our very last show at Blues at Barleylands in Billericay - Slim's Last Hurrah - in October and will not be booking or playing any further shows.

Our sincere thanks go to the many thousands who have come to see the band play since our very first outing at the Treble Chance in Basildon in November 1982, and to the many, many people who have helped and supported us in so many ways down the years. We are very grateful indeed.


It's been a hell of a ride!

Tim, Ian, Howard and Don
 

Automatic Slim to play their own tribute to Wilko Johnson and Lee Brilleaux 

This should be a LOT of fun!!!

After the success of January's Wilko tribute show at the Cricketers (at which Tim played harp) Slim decided they'd like to play their own tribute to one of the greatest bands the UK has ever spawned - on which is practically the Feelgoods' home ground, Southend-on-Sea.

We'll be playing a first set of Slim originals and many of the old chestnuts Slim fans have come to know and love, - then inviting a few very special guests to join us during a second set of Wilko/Dr Feelgood material in honour of Wilko and Lee (Lee would have celebrated his 71st birthday a few days after the show.)

The full lineup has yet to be confirmed, but confirmed so far are Russ Strothard (known as Russ Strutter during the seven year's he was Wilko Johnson's bass player), Wilko's old Southend bandmate, guitarist Jeff Chapman, Mark Sibley, frontman with top Dr Feelgood tribute, The Feelgood Band and our pal Simon Pyke, who fronted the excellent Suffolk band The Makeshifts for many years.

If the January show is anything to go by (they were literally turning people away at the door), it could be a busy gig, so it'd be a good idea to arrive early.

SUNDAY April 30

"A tribute to Lee Brilleaux and Wilko Johnson"

THE CRICKETERS

228 London Rd,

Westcliff-on-Sea,

Southend,

Essex

SS0 7JG

Free 5pm-7.30pm 

www.thecricketersbarandfood.co.uk 

SLIM'S BURNHAM GIG CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS 

Bad news: 'Slim have been forced to cancel their Burnham gig, on August 27.

Sadly, Howard has succumbed to a summer virus...nothing too serious, we hope, but enough to rule us out for the gig.

Our apologies to Jon at the Queens Head and to everyone who was coming to see us. Believe me, were as disappointed as you are!

Tim, Ian, Howard and Don

Who fancies an official Automatic Slim 40th anniversary T-shirt? 


IT's hard to believe, but it's now almost 40 years since Automatic Slim played their first gig, way by in November 1982...

The mark the occasion, the band are considering producing a strictly limited run of commemorative T-shirts, if the demand justifies it.

If we decide to go ahead, they'll be top-quality black shirts, in a range of sizes, with a 40th anniversary logo printed directly onto the fabric, not a cheap, rubbery logo like you get on some shirts.

Not sure exactly what the price will be, as it will depend who prints them and how many we order, but it'll be in the £10-£15 region, including postage.

To help us judge likely demand, it would be really handy if you could let us know if you'd be interested in buying a T-shirt, either at one of our gigs, or by online ordering... 

If you're interested, e-mail the band by clicking on this link...

 

Out now! The new Automatic Slim album, "Down by the Waterside" 

AUTOMATIC Slim are delighted this week finally to confirm the release of out first new album in two decades. 

“Down by the Waterside” Showcases a mixture of new original songs and r’n’b favourites we've been playing across our 40-year career and more than 3,500 live shows across the UK and occasionally into continental Europe. 

It’s our first new recording since 2001's "Growing Old Disgracefully" and was mostly recorded at Rooks Yard Studio, in the Essex Delta, just before the first lockdown, then completed in the autumn of 2021.

The CD also features contributions by award-winning blues guitarist Joel Fisk (Hokie Joint/LaVendore Rogue/Tim Aves & WOLFPACK), piano player Carleton Van Selman (Mojo Preachers) and up-and-coming singer Holly Hallam

The 13 tracks on “Down by the Waterside” include new original songs, including “Caroline (Under the Covers)”  a tribute to the legendary radio station, several Dr Feelgood/Wilko Johnson favouties, plus the band’s unique take on a number classic blues and rock’n’roll tunes. 

The CD will be available in hard-copy form for the first time at its official launch gig on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Kelvedon Labour Club, Kelvedon, Essex (see the Gigs page for details|) and thereafter to order from our new merchandise page here. Downloads will also be available shortly from the usual platforms, while a limited-edition vinyl release is currently also being considered. 

“We’re thrilled to bits with the way the album has turned out,” said Tim. “Our last album was way back in 2001. That one’s been out of print for years, so it’s great to be getting our music out there again. 

"Our engineer mate Pete Crisp has done an amazing job at Rooks Yard Studio to make us sound this good - aided and abetted by a few excellent musical chums.

“There’s been a LOT of interest in this project. It’s amazing really that people still want to hear what we’re doing after all these years.” 

Album information 

Automatic Slim: Down by the Waterside 
(Radio Caroline Records Caro 001) 

Tim Aves - lead vocals, backing vocals, harmonica, slide guitar, odd guitar bits 
Ian Cundy - guitar, lead vocals on *, backing vocals 
Howard J Bills - bass guitar, backing vocals, ukulele, vocal** 
Don Moore - drums, various percussion, backing vocals, , lead vocals*** 


Guest musicians: 
Carleton Van Selman – keyboards 
Joel Fisk - lead guitar on Mess of the Blues and Caroline 
Holly Hallam - backing vocals 

Recorded and mixed by Pete Crisp at Rooks Yard Studio,  Essex, August 2019-October 2021. 

Track listing 
1. The Love Mechanic (Tim Aves) 
2. Keep it Out of Sight (Wilko Johnson) 
3. Down by the Waterside *(Wilko Johnson) 
4. The Red Rooster (Willie Dixon) 
5. Caroline (Under the Covers) (Tim Aves) 
6. Mess of the Blues*** (Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman) 
7. Walking on the Edge (Wilko Johnson) 
8. A Sneakin' Suspicion (Wilko Johnson) 
9. It'll Be Me*** (Cowboy Jack Clement) 
10. A 300lbs of Heavenly Joy (Willie Dixon) 
11. A Milk Cow Blues* (Kokomo Arnold) 
12. I Wish You Would (Billy Boy Arnold) 
13. Cocaine (All Around my Brain)**  (Rev Gary Davis)