The Automatic's Keyboard/Singer Leaves Band

NME reports: *The Automatic's keyboardist Pennie has quit the band. The keyboard player and backing singer announced his departure from the band this morning (September 18). In a statement posted on their official website, the band explained that the keyboardist had found the last year 'increasingly unenjoyable', and that he was 'growing apart from the rest of the band'. The three other members of the band - Rob Hawkins, James Frost and Iwan Griffiths - have stated that they plan to continue, and will fly to the USA to begin recording their second album soon. Pennie, a member of The Automatic since 2003, played his final shows with the band at the Get Loaded In The Park festival (August 25-26).*

Check out my review of The Automatic's gig at Pianos here.