Artist description Three guys with a love for Punk, New Wave, and 80s Rock who decided it would be fun to play a combination of the three styles, have some fun, and write some good songs.

Music Style Robo-Wave/Disco-Punk/Art-Pop

Musical Influences DEVO, Gary Numan, Wire, The Cars, Gang of Four, B-52's, David Bowie, Missing Persons, Buggles, Men at Work, The Clash, Naked Raygun, Kraftwerk, Thomas Dolby, Go-Go's, Crass, XTC, Japan, Pixies, Squeeze, Talking Heads, Ramones

Similar Artists DEVO, Gary Numan, The Cars, Missing Persons, Elastica, Servotron, Wire, Gang of Four, B-52's, Buggles, Clash, Bowie, Rentals, Talking Heads, Supernova, B-Movie, Start, Radio Berlin, Satisfact, Normal

Artist History The Animatronics were designed as an experiment in entertainment efficiency. Fully functional robot-modules were created and programmed with the pop music sensibilities of the "New Wave" bands of the period 1978-1984. The first prototypes were tested in late spring of 1999. They continue to amuse, all over the Baltimore test-market. Their first record was released Jan. 2001 by Morphius Records. They recorded mid Jan for a compilation by American Punk Records. In late '01 the group disbanded, and then reformed in late '02 with a slightly different apparatus in effect.

Group Members GARY (GAR-1660) - Guitar, Vocals . . Jared (JAR-5000) - Bass . . Mark (MAR-0208) - Drums, Vocals . .

Instruments LIVE:Guitar, Bass and Drums . . RECORDED:Synths and Keys also

Albums 2000: The Year of the Future (2001), The Imaginary 7

Press Reviews Check out: http://www.citypaper.com/2000-10-25/nocover.html , http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Bistro/5174/records/anima.html ..... Maximum RockNRoll said some good things about the Animatronics (if anyone has a copy of this, please send it to us).... David Cawley wrote - "Animatronics at the Ottobar Upside Live! The Animatronics - Baltimore's criminally neglected masters of new wave guitar pop. This writer happily witnessed the group perform at the Ottobar on November 19, 1999. I arrived promptly at 10:30 only to see them in full-on mode halfway through their set. It was my third pilgrimage to see the Animatronics. I easily rate them the best of all current Baltimore rock bands, original or otherwise. They have great songs, a sense of humor and are actually fun to watch when they perform. How many other Baltimore bands uphold these standards? The Animatronics bring something new to the table; Instead of the current Baltimore rock band cliché - "Oh, we're just white trash who love to rock'n'roll" - the Animatronics have embraced the sound of the late 70s / early 80s new wave guitar rock. I personally hear echoes of Devo, Wire and the Vapors. This is an actual local band with no lame songs - there is no sonic deadwood in their set. Every song is catchy - a definite rarity in the current crop of Baltimore bands. The Animatronics actually entertain as well! My latest viewing of the group live started off with the trio standing onstage, instruments in hand, with heads bowed - like three marionettes waiting for the touch of human fingers to give them life. A recorded voice-over then boomed out over the P.A. saying something along the lines of, "Prepare to be entertained by the latest in Animatronic technology - three realistic robots programmed to perform music for your listening pleasure." With whirring, clanking, robotic sounds each member jerkily raised his head and mimed through a pre-recorded (by the Animatronics) version of Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science." It was hilarious and brilliant at the same time - if the Animatronics would have walked offstage at that moment I would have thought they had at least cleverly entertained me. But no, they performed an enthralling set of originals and even a bizarre Devo-esque version of the Animals' lamentable "House of the Rising Sun." I know it's a cliché, but I was blown away. The allusions to new wave-era music was also apparent in the Animatronic mode of dress. The guitar player and bass mangler both wore matching white shirts, skinny black ties and black pants - almost looking like the Knack in their uniforms. The Animatronics look to be quite young (late teens to early 20s), but they have seized on an era of music for inspiration that was certainly not in vogue when they were growing up. For someone like myself who grew up in the late 70s / early 80s, the music of the Animatronics is particularly enjoyable because it was a style of music I had feared to be lost forever - especially on the Baltimore scene. I cannot praise them highly enough - if you like catchy guitar rock without the pretension (and who doesn't?), please GO SEE THE ANIMATRONICS!"

Location Baltimore, MD - USA

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