James Frost
Frost performing in 2009 at Waterfront Festival in Barry, Wales with The Automatic
Frost performing in 2009 at Waterfront Festival in Barry, Wales with The Automatic
Background information
Birth nameJames Martin Frost
Born (1986-08-22) 22 August 1986
OriginCowbridge, South Glamorgan, Wales
GenresRock, Electro, Pop punk
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals, synthesizers, bass guitar
Years active2003–present

James Martin Frost (born 22 August 1986) is the guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist of Welsh band The Automatic,[1] and guitarist and backing vocalist for Cardiff-based band Effort. As well as his musical duties for The Automatic, Frost has also directed two of the band's music videos and their tour video diaries.[2][3] He currently resides in Cardiff, Wales.[4]

Musical career

The Automatic (2005–present)

Frost began playing guitar at a young age, and after introducing bandmate Robin Hawkins into music and the bass guitar, Frost and Hawkins along with friend Iwan Griffiths formed the band White Rabbit, which later with the addition of Alex Pennie became The Automatic.[5] After several years of touring, Alex Pennie departed from the band, leading to Paul Mullen from Yourcodenameis:Milo to join the band. Frost and Mullen are both simply stated as guitarists for The Automatic, neither being specifically rhythm or lead. Paul and Frost also provide synthesizers on various tracks, as well as backing vocals.

After the release of the band's debut album Not Accepted Anywhere, James was voted No. 20 in NME's Cool List, beating his at-the-time bandmate Alex Pennie.[6]

Effort (2010–2011)

Frost, along with BBC Radio 1 DJ Jen Long formed the Cardiff-based band Effort in 2010. In early 2011 the band recorded demos at Long Wave Studios with producer Romesh Dodangoda. Their debut 3-track EP 'No Effort' was released for free on 28 March 2011 through bandcamp.[7]

Musical equipment and style

Frost often states his main musical influence to be Blur and specifically guitarist Graham Coxon, his favourite Blur album is 13.[8]

For live performances – since the departure of synthesizer player & vocalist Alex Pennie in 2007, Frost inherited performance duties of the Alesis Micron – which during the recording and performance of debut album Not Accepted Anywhere was one of 3 synthesizer keyboards used, later on This Is a Fix it was also used as well as the Paul Mullen controlled microKORG. The sounds created on the Alesis Andromeda and Roland Juno-106 for Not Accepted Anywhere since Pennies departure are recreated live on the microKORG and Alesis Micron, to control some tracks whilst playing guitar, Frost uses a Boss RC-50 Loop Station, which enables partial foot pedal control of the sounds available on the Alesis Micron.[9] Frost uses bandmate Rob Hawkins Fender USA Jazz Bass live when performing "High Time".[10]

Frost also uses a range of guitars for both live and recording, during the recording and touring of debut album Not Accepted Anywhere the then only guitarist of The Automatic used various models of the Gibson Les Paul as well as a Fender 1972 Thinline Telecaster in Two-Tone Sunburst, Fender Mustang 2005 Reissue in Olympic White, and in various music videos used a could be seen using a Gordon Smith GSII in Black, which he broke in 2007, and a Gibson ES-335.[11] With the release of second album This Is a Fix and joining of second guitarist Paul Mullen, Frost began incorporating the use of Fender Telecaster Deluxe's.

For Digital Delay, Frost uses a Boss DD-6 pedal and a Line 6 DL4 Modeler stompbox, as well as using MXR M-106 6-Band Graphic EQ, and a number of Electro-Harmonix effects including an Electro-Harmonix POG, Holy Stain and Holy Grail, whilst using an Orange Channel Footswitch. During the recording of Not Accepted Anywhere, the album sleeve states that Frost uses both Orange and Marshall guitar amplifiers.[12]

Discography

Frost on the Vans Warped Tour 2007 with The Automatic.
BandTitleReleaseOther notes
The AutomaticNot Accepted Anywhere2006Guitar, vocals
Yourcodenameis:MiloPrint Is Dead Vol 12006Producer, guitars
The AutomaticThis Is A Fix2008Guitar, vocals, synthesizer
The AutomaticTear the Signs Down2010Guitar, vocals, synthesizer
EFFORTNo Effort2011Guitar, programing

Filmography

Director
Year Title Notes
2009 Something Else Music video
2010 Cannot Be Saved Music video
2012 Bloody Mary Music video

References

  1. ↑ The Automatic BBC music biography, August 2009
  2. ↑ Best Laid Plans Archived 7 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine theautomatic.co.uk (James Frost), 10 August 2009
  3. ↑ The Shape of Monk To Come James Frost, YouTube
  4. ↑ The Automatic BBC music biography, August 2009
  5. ↑ "People ask me what it's like to have a famous son". icwales.icnetwork.co.uk (Interview with AnneMarie Hawkins, Robs Mum). 30 October 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  6. ↑ "The Cool List 2007 and 2006, 20: James Frost, The Automatic". NME 'The Cool List'. 26 November 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2008.
  7. ↑ Effort – No Effort 28 March 2011, bandcamp.com
  8. ↑ Blur Graham Coxon Archived 16 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine theautomatic.co.uk, 10 August 2009
  9. ↑ BBC Music biography BBC 3 October 2009
  10. ↑ Feature:: Interview with The Automatic roomthirteen.com, 22 March 2010
  11. ↑ The Automatic music video Monster, Not Accepted Anywhere, June 2006, Up the Resolution
  12. ↑ The Automatic Not Accepted Anywhere album sleeve, release 25 June 2006, B-Unique/Polydor Records
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