Autopilot Off
Encyclopedia
Autopilot Off is a punk rock
band from Orange County, New York
composed of Chris Hughes (guitar), Chris Johnson (guitar/vocals), Phil Robinson (drums) and Rob Kucharek (bass).
In May 2011, a Facebook
page titled "Autopilot Off (Official)" was created, with an image of the band's name and the words "TwoThousandEleven" being uploaded soon after. This has led to speculation of a possible reunion, nearly six years after they announced their hiatus. Autopilot Off confirmed that they were working on new material on June 20th, on their official facebook page.
, Goldfinger
, Sum 41
, Yellowcard
and H2O
. They eventually recorded their first full length album, Looking Up. In 2000 the band was involved in a bitter lawsuit with the Mississippi
punk rock band The Cooters
, who own the trademark
to the name Cooter. The New York band settled out of court in 2002, and changed their name to Autopilot Off. However, Autopilot Off's record label Fastmusic, took the lawsuit all the way to Federal Court and lost to the Mississippi band. Autopilot Off then signed with their major label, Island Records
shortly afterwards. After this they released their eponymous debut EP in the spring of 2002.
In 2004, under their new name Autopilot Off, they released their major debut album, Make a Sound
. This included the single "What I Want", which was co-written by Rancid
's Tim Armstrong
.
Since then, Chris Hughes has gone on to become a business manager (accountant) in the music industry.
Bassist Rob Kucharek has gone on to open American Icon Screen Printing which is an apparel screen printing company that serves many bands and the majority of the BMX industry on the East Coast.
page titled "Autopilot Off (Official)" was created, with an image of the band's name and the words "TwoThousandEleven" being uploaded soon after. This has led to speculation of a possible reunion, nearly six years after they announced their hiatus.
On June 20th, 2011 an update was posted on the bands Facebook page confirming that they were working on new material. "Our plan is to record our songs in batches and release them for free download as they are completed. This way, we can share new music with you in the most expedient fashion. When we have recorded enough material, we will compile some or all of it into a new album."
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band from Orange County, New York
Orange County, New York
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located at the northern reaches of the New York metropolitan area. The county sits in the state's scenic Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley...
composed of Chris Hughes (guitar), Chris Johnson (guitar/vocals), Phil Robinson (drums) and Rob Kucharek (bass).
In May 2011, a Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page titled "Autopilot Off (Official)" was created, with an image of the band's name and the words "TwoThousandEleven" being uploaded soon after. This has led to speculation of a possible reunion, nearly six years after they announced their hiatus. Autopilot Off confirmed that they were working on new material on June 20th, on their official facebook page.
History
Autopilot Off formed in 1996 under the name Cooter. They slowly gained popularity by doing live shows throughout the 90s while sharing the stage with more popular bands such as MxPxMxPx
MxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
, Goldfinger
Goldfinger (band)
Goldfinger is a Los Angeles pop punk/ska punk band that formed in 1994. Currently, the band is composed of vocalist/guitarist John Feldmann, guitarist Charlie Paulson, bassist Kelly LeMieux, and drummer Darrin Pfeiffer...
, Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. The band was formed in 1996 and currently consists of members Deryck Whibley , Tom Thacker , Jason McCaslin and Steve Jocz .In 1999, the band signed an international record deal with Island Records...
, Yellowcard
Yellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
and H2O
H2O (American band)
-Prologue:Prior to the formation of H2O, in the early-mid-1980s, Todd Morse and Rusty Pistachio were part of the speed punk band "Roadside Petz". This band featured Wayne Williams on drums...
. They eventually recorded their first full length album, Looking Up. In 2000 the band was involved in a bitter lawsuit with the Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
punk rock band The Cooters
The Cooters (band)
The Cooters are a punk rock band from Mississippi. Based out of the northern hill country town of Oxford , the band has been touring and recording since 1993. The Cooters are well known in the state and have dealt with controversy, trademark lawsuits, and even prison sentences...
, who own the trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
to the name Cooter. The New York band settled out of court in 2002, and changed their name to Autopilot Off. However, Autopilot Off's record label Fastmusic, took the lawsuit all the way to Federal Court and lost to the Mississippi band. Autopilot Off then signed with their major label, Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
shortly afterwards. After this they released their eponymous debut EP in the spring of 2002.
In 2004, under their new name Autopilot Off, they released their major debut album, Make a Sound
Make a Sound
Make a Sound is the major label debut and final album of American emo/pop punk band Autopilot Off. It was released on April 13, 2004 , through Island Records...
. This included the single "What I Want", which was co-written by Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
's Tim Armstrong
Tim Armstrong
Timothy Lockwood Armstrong is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work with punk rock bands Rancid, Operation Ivy, Downfall, and the Transplants. He is also the owner and operator of Hellcat Records.-Personal life:Armstrong was born November 25, 1965 and was...
.
Indefinite hiatus (2005–2010)
On August 26, 2005, the band decided to go on an indefinite hiatus and released the following statement on their official website:
We've decided to take an indefinite break from Autopilot Off. It has been nearly 10 years since the band started, and it has been full speed ahead for the majority of that time. We have all decided to take some time for our lives outside of the band. We are all still the best of friends. In addition to this we decided a few months back to leave our home of 4 years at Island Records. We apologize for leaving you all hanging for so long. Thank you so much for all the support and friendships that you all have given to us over the years. We could never have done it without you.
Since then, Chris Hughes has gone on to become a business manager (accountant) in the music industry.
Bassist Rob Kucharek has gone on to open American Icon Screen Printing which is an apparel screen printing company that serves many bands and the majority of the BMX industry on the East Coast.
Reunion (2011)
In May 2011, a FacebookFacebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page titled "Autopilot Off (Official)" was created, with an image of the band's name and the words "TwoThousandEleven" being uploaded soon after. This has led to speculation of a possible reunion, nearly six years after they announced their hiatus.
On June 20th, 2011 an update was posted on the bands Facebook page confirming that they were working on new material. "Our plan is to record our songs in batches and release them for free download as they are completed. This way, we can share new music with you in the most expedient fashion. When we have recorded enough material, we will compile some or all of it into a new album."
Albums
- Looking Up (2000)
- Make a SoundMake a SoundMake a Sound is the major label debut and final album of American emo/pop punk band Autopilot Off. It was released on April 13, 2004 , through Island Records...
(2004) #119 US
EPs
- All Bets Off (EP)All Bets Off (EP)All Bets Off is an EP, and the first album to be released by the punk rock band Autopilot Off. It was initially released under their original name Cooter, and is the only CD by the band that was not re-released under their final name, Autopilot Off. The first two songs of this album were later...
(1997) - Split w/Slick ShoesSlick Shoes/Cooter SplitSlick Shoes/Cooter Split is a split EP from Slick Shoes and Autopilot Off . When Cooter became Autopilot Off, the name of this CD was changed and it was re-released to reflect the new name.-Track listing:...
(2000) - Autopilot OffAutopilot Off (EP)Autopilot Off is the first major label EP by the punk rock band Autopilot Off. It is the band's first release with the label Island Records and was produced by the then Sum 41 manager and producer Greig Nori...
(EP, 2002) - Regenerator (EP)Regenerator (EP)Regenerator is the third EP by the punk band Autopilot Off. It was the band's second release on Island Records after the release of their self-titled EP and before the release of their major label debut Make a Sound in 2004...
(2003, consisted of 4 cover songs from the band's favorite artists.)
Game appearances
- "Make a Sound" was featured on Burnout 3: TakedownBurnout 3: TakedownBurnout 3: Takedown is the third game in the Burnout series of video games. Released on September 7, 2004, developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts , the game drew critical acclaim and a large fanbase.A GameCube version was planned but was scrapped during development...
. - "Clockwork" featured on both SSX3 and NHL 2004NHL 2004NHL 2004, developed by the EA Black Box studios, is an ice hockey video game. It is the successor to NHL 2003 and is widely considered to be a major turning point in the NHL series. The game adds 3 European Elite Leagues: Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga , Sweden's Elitserien , and Finland's...
. - "Chromatic Fades" featured in NASCAR Thunder 2004NASCAR Thunder 2004NASCAR Thunder 2004 is a racing simulator by EA Sports, released in 2003 and available in separate versions for PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC. It features the 2002 champion Tony Stewart on the cover with a scowling look to represent the new Grudges and Alliances feature. It was the only...
. - "What I Want" featured in CarsCars (video game)Cars is a video game based on and considered a sequel to the film of the same name. It is available Mac, Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo GameCube, Wii, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS....
based on the film. - "Long Way To Fall" and "Indebted" featured in Project Gotham Racing 2Project Gotham Racing 2Project Gotham Racing 2 is a racing game for the Xbox, developed by Bizarre Creations and published by Microsoft. PGR2 is the sequel to the highly successful Project Gotham Racing. It is the second title in the Project Gotham Racing series.As in PGR, the route to advancement in PGR2 differs from...
. - "Nothing Frequency" featured on NHL 2004NHL 2004NHL 2004, developed by the EA Black Box studios, is an ice hockey video game. It is the successor to NHL 2003 and is widely considered to be a major turning point in the NHL series. The game adds 3 European Elite Leagues: Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga , Sweden's Elitserien , and Finland's...
. - "Friday Mourning" featured in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4-External links:* on the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine...
- "What I Want" featured in Test Drive: Eve of DestructionTest Drive: Eve of DestructionTest Drive: Eve of Destruction is a video game that was developed by Monster Games in 2004 and published by Atari. The game was published as Driven to Destruction in Europe....
. - "Missing The Innocence" featured in Whirl TourWhirl TourWhirl Tour is a skateboarding video game released in 2002 to North America and in 2003 to the PAL region. The game was developed Papaya Studios for the GameCube and the PlayStation 2.-Story:...
.
Compilation appearances
- "Something for Everyone" was track #8 on the Orange County's New Punk compilation.
- "Mrs Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" (Herman's HermitsHerman's HermitsHerman's Hermits are an English beat band, formed in Manchester in 1963 as Herman & The Hermits. The group's record producer, Mickie Most , emphasized a simple, non-threatening, clean-cut image, although the band originally played R&B numbers...
cover) was track #1 on the Oldies But Goodies cover compilation. - "Raise Your Rifles" was included on the DaredevilDaredevil (film)Daredevil is a 2003 American superhero film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, the film stars Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer who fights for justice in the courtroom and out of the courtroom as the masked vigilante Daredevil...
soundtrack, Daredevil: The AlbumDaredevil: The AlbumDaredevil: The Album was released in 2003 by Wind-Up Records for the movie Daredevil, starring Ben Affleck. All songs were previously unreleased, and some songs appeared on later releases...
. - "I'm Thinking" was released with many other punk bands on the Rock Against BushRock Against BushRock Against Bush was a project mobilizing punk and alternative musicians against the 2004 U.S. Presidential re-election campaign of George W. Bush...
compilation. - "Clockwork" was included in the Projekt RevolutionProjekt RevolutionProjekt Revolution is a music festival hosted by Linkin Park, bringing artists of various genres of music together. Linkin Park started Projekt Revolution in the year 2002 with just one stage...
Sample CD that was received for joining LPU 4.0. - "Long Way To Fall" was featured on the first Atticus: ...dragging the lakeAtticus: ...dragging the lakeAtticus: ...Dragging the Lake was the first in the series of compilation albums created by Atticus Clothing. The band's were chosen by Mark Hoppus and Tom Delonge of the band Blink-182.-Track listing:#"Jaked On Green Beers" - Alkaline Trio †...
compilation. - "Nothing Frequency" was included on the 2002 Warped Tour Compilation and also appeared on the Stealing HarvardStealing HarvardStealing Harvard is a 2002 crime comedy film directed by Bruce McCulloch, about a man who resorts to crime to pay for his niece's Harvard tuition....
soundtrack. - "Indebted" was included in the track #25 on the 2001 Warped Tour Compilation
- "Long Way To Fall" was included on the Osiris Shoes Aftermath Tour 2002 Sampler.
- "Full House" was included on the Serial Killer Compilation (Fearless Records) listed under the band's prior name of "Cooter"