Live music review: An Automatic Weekend at Austin’s Dozen Street
On a recent Friday night in Austin, late June in the dimly-lit, Dozen Street Bar in East Austin’s burgeoning 12th Street scene, the enticingly thick smell of gumbo and fried oysters flooded the air like a lure from the Cajun restaurant next door. Four unassuming musicians, laughed and cracked jokes with friends while setting up the stage.
The guitars strummed, and the lead vocalist, Adrian Romanos introduced the band, “we’re Automatic Weekend. One. Two. Three. Four…” A heavy, fast-paced rock tune broke out and the quiet disengaged crowd suddenly shifted their attention. Heads began to nod with the rhythm. The opening track of the evening was “Son of Sin,” a rapid-but-bluesy, punch to the gut of Texas Rock ’n Roll. Other musicians hanging out on the patio began to head indoors to get a closer listen and glimpse of who was setting this stage.
The show continued with “So So Sad” and “Laredo,” upping the pace with an ode to the band’s hometown. By this point, the accumulating crowd was completely engaged as Automatic Weekend broke out “Two Police,” a tune reminiscent of golden-era, CBGB punk.
The Austin-based four-piece performed four songs live for the first time that night; “Everybody Wants My,” “Be My Baby“ and “Tell Me,” slowing the tempo a bit with the latter two.
The quartet finished up the set with the emphatic and powerful presentations of “Every Passing Minute” and “RNB.”
Their instrumentation and synchronization tight, there is a gritty and raw, authentic aspect of their music. The vocals are powerful, the songwriting profound. What’s most prominent about Automatic Weekend might be their melodic song structure. Their tunes will linger between your ears long after the show concludes.
One can’t help but wonder… why are these guys not discussed more often as one of the bands to catch in Austin? They certainly have the talent. Their music contains every element one would fancy from popular musicians. But there’s also a refreshing element. The music exudes throwback rock ‘n roll, not falling into a single genres, but gracefully transitioning stylistically between various disicplines without altering their overall sound and presence.
Automatic Weekend is busy around Austin having recently played at the remodeled Seaholm Power Plant for the Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure” benefit. With upcoming shows at various venues, it’ll be interesting to see where these guys end up.
Automatic Weekend:
Adrian Romanos: Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Sergio Romanos: Drums
Fernando Gutierrez: Lead Guitar
Mark Martinez: Bass
