Boston-based blues rock outfit Ernie and the Automatics will perform at Nectar’s on July 8. The show is a benefit for the Island Affordable Housing Fund in partnership with the Music Drives Foundation, headed up by the band’s guitarist Ernie Boch.

Ernie and the Automatics exist on that knife-edge between classic rock and blues rock. Their animated, upbeat show of fresh, original music captures a 1970s classic rock vibe. The band members have ignited clubs and stadiums in bands ranging from Boston and Peter Wolf’s House Party Five to John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band and Little Richard.

The six-piece band is fueled by two guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, sax and harmonica. Strong vocals and harmonies round out the mix. The chemistry of the band is evident live and in their recordings. The band has opened for the likes of B.B. King, James Cotton, Johnny Winter, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Chuck Berry, Rick Derringer, Los Lobos, Godsmack, Extreme, America, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds.

For more information, please visit ernieandtheautomatics.com.