Fear of a Blank Planet

Artist Guide » Rock » Roots Rock » TOM ADAMSON AND THE AUTOMATIC RHYTHM SECTION: An Exquisite Replica of Rock 'n' Roll

Album Summary by Tom Adamson:

I got the idea for the title of "An Exquisite Replica of Rock 'n' Roll" from the imposter cologne dispensers in truck stop bathrooms. They always read something like, "If you love Adidas, you'll love our exquisite replica!"

When I was planning for the record, I didn't know if there was anything new it could offer the world of rock 'n' roll. I was having second thoughts about recording the album. To use an old phrase, "It's all been done before." I was talking to my brother, Jon, about this and he told me, "Sometimes that is the best place to start." So, I went into the recording with that attitude.

A solid 22 minutes of power trio rock with a few scatter brained garage solos make this a fun record to listen to. This isn't your favorite rock legend, but it is my "exquisite replica." All I ask is that you play it loud!

How "The Automatic Rhythm Section" Formed:

In the brief period between my times with the band Monkey Thursday and Bottle Rocket Blue (Aug-Sept '03), I was scheming to make a solo album. It didn't happen and then BRB began to take off, so the idea was put on the back burner for well over a year.

I had spent a lot of time playing acoustic guitar in the late '90's and early '00's. I was ready for a break from that roots-y feel. I wanted to make a record that had the feel of a punk album. Not punk in the contemporary sense of the word, but more in the terms of the late 70's, when the rules of the genre were non-existent. I had written several short electric guitar songs and all I needed was a band.

One day around Christmas '04, I received an e-mail from Daniel saying that he would like to help me make a project. Little did he know that I was also thinking about asking him to play bass on the record but hadn't gotten around to it. In '03, I already asked Mike to play drums, when I first had the idea. Would there be anyone else? A quick listen to some M.Cotu practice tapes from the fall of '97 gave me my answer, no, there didn't need to be anyone else. Mike, Daniel and I were the core of the band M.Cotu. This record would be the first time, in four years, that we made music as the three of us. Would we have the same magic as I heard on those old practice tapes?

After meeting for a rehearsal in February of '05, I paid another visit to my brother, Jon. I was beaming with enthusiasm. Yes we did have the same chemistry as we did in the early years, only now, we all were better at our respective instruments and crafts. He asked me how our rehearsal went. I said, "In one word, automatic. In no time, we had back what we used to have." On the drive home that afternoon, I decided to refer to Dan and Mike on the record as "The Automatic Rhythm Section."

I had also conspired with BRB bassist, Barry G. Funderburg, to have him record a record for me. With a studio lined up, a band, and a couple of free weekends ahead of me, I was excited to begin. And the rest, as they say, is history.

About Tom Adamson:

Tom Adamson

Tom has been an active performer since 1998, and is always seeking to expand his abilities. In addition to his solo work, Tom plays lead guitar for Bottle Rocket Blue. Tom learned to play on a guitar with 5 strings. He continued with that same guitar for one entire year, until one day he got a job and bought a D-string. Adding to the mystery of Tom-he actually started writing songs before he learned how to play the guitar.

Born and raised in Indiana as the third of ten children, music became his outlet at an early age. He began playing in the school orchestra and then later majored in viola during his college years. It was also during college that he began to write songs and form bands of his own, with names like "m.cotu", "Gypsy Heart" and "Monkey Thursday". Tom was also in a traveling string quartet.

Tom is a middle school orchestra teacher and private string instructor. During college he gave poetry a go and became a published poet-Caesura, 1997-2000, issue numbers unknown. He lives with his wife and two children in Demotte, Ind.

Tom enjoys cycling, reading, renting movies and spending time with his family. While cruising in "The Batmobile", a black 1994 Ford Probe, you'll often find him listening to the likes of Wilco, The Jayhawks, the White Stripes, Belle and Sebastian, the Lost Dogs and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band LP's from the early '70s. He also enjoys tuning into WXRT 93.1 FM from Chicago.

Check out the artist's website:
http://tomadamson.com

Track List:
1. Dolly Madison Shoes
2. Ok Ok Ok
3. I'll Take It
4. Jet Trail Spine
5. No Answer
6. Now
7. Courtney's Song
8. Take Me Back to the Beginning

Other Genres: