Automatic began as the Spinouts when Matt Fenton met up with Alex Jarvis as freshmen in high school in 1987. The two attended Queenscliff High School in Victoria, Australia.
Bassist Matt Fenton, Alex Jarvis on guitar, drummer Leigh Marlow (who was replaced by drummer Danny Plant), and bassist Richard Taylor make up the post-grunge group. The band developed its unique sound by combining the styles of many different groups, and was influenced by such '80s and '90s outfits as the Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, and U2.
In 1994, the band made its first album, Automatic, which was released independently. The album led to much success for the band and produced a new group of listeners. With its punk rock sound, the group signed with the Murmur record label in 1995. Their first album there was Sister K.