Autopilot Off

Infobox musical artist
Name = Autopilot Off
Alias = Cooter


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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Orange County, New York, USA
Genre = Punk rock
Years_active = 1996–2005 (on hiatus)
Label = Island
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Current_members = Chris Hughes
Chris Johnson
Phil Robinson
Rob Kucharek
Past_members =

Autopilot Off was a punk rock band from Orange County, New York comprised of Chris Hughes (guitar), Chris Johnson (guitar/vocals), Phil Robinson (drums) and Rob Kucharek (bass).

History

Autopilot Off formed in 1996 under the name Cooter. They slowly gained in popularity by doing live shows throughout the 90's while sharing the stage with more popular bands such as MxPx, Sum 41 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.

Indefinite hiatus

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 form the record label Broken English with John Naclerio.

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.

Discography

Albums

* "Looking Up" (1999)
* "Make a Sound" (2004) #119 US

EPs

* "All Bets Off/As Cooter" (1997)
* " Split w/Slick Shoes" (2000)
* "Autopilot Off" (EP, 2002)
* "Regenerator (EP)" (2003, consisted of 4 cover songs from the band's favorite artists.)

Game appearances

* "Make a Sound" was featured on "".
* "Clockwork" featured on both "SSX3" and "NHL 2004".
* "Chromatic Fades" featured in "NASCAR Thunder 2004".
* "What I Want" featured in "Cars" based on the film.
* "Long Way To Fall" and "Indebted" featured in "Project Gotham Racing 2".
* "Nothing Frequency" featured on "NHL 2004".
* "Friday Mourning" featured in "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4"
* "What I Want" featured in "".
* "Missing The Innocence" featured in "Whirl Tour".

Video appearances

* "The 12th Day" was featured in NoA: The Two Continents

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 Hermits cover) was track #1 on the "Oldies But Goodies" cover compilation.
* "Raise Your Rifles" was included on the "Daredevil" soundtrack, "".
* "I'm Thinking" was released with many other punk bands on the "Rock Against Bush" compilation.
* "Clockwork" was included in the Projekt Revolution Sample CD that was received for joining LPU 4.0.
* "Long Way To Fall" was featured on the first "" compilation.
* "Nothing Frequency" was included on the "2002 Warped Tour Compilation" and also appeared on the "Stealing Harvard" soundtrack.
* "Indebted" was included in the track #25 on the "2001 Warped Tour Compilation".

=External links=
* [http://www.burningstars.net/apo02 Burning Stars Interview with Autopilot Off]