FORMED while at college in Exeter and now based in London, Autopilot (formerly known as Honey) have been packing them in at gigs for nearly two years. And the same is expected tomorrow night when they play Hawthorns in Bolton .

Rocking with their very own brand of power pop melodies, chunky guitars, cheery followers have messed with the best of them around the country.

During a continued nation-wide onslaught in 98 the band have been carving out a great live niche for themselves. The quartets on stage maturity defies their youthful good looks and - well their youth!

It was at one of these shows - the Bull & Gate in Kentish Town - that they were pounced upon by producers Giles Martin (Kula Shaker, My Life Story) and Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters, Therapy?) who regard the band as the next big young things waiting to happen.

It seems that Martin and Sheldon are not alone in thinking this. Recent interest has sparked gigs for Fierce Panda, the correct noises from Deceptive, positive rumblings from NME, gig offers from all of London's great and good venues, supports with up-and-coming El Nino and the Interpreters and the more established Rialto and Electrasy.

Of course this has all been said before. But just listen to their music - it shouts volumes. And catch Autopilot while you can.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.