Stimulator

This article is about the Los Angeles-based band. For similar titles, see The Stimulators (disambiguation).
Stimulator

Stimulator live at the Viper Room in West Hollywood, California, August 31, 2010.
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California
Genres New wave, disco, dark wave
Years active 2003–present
Labels The Orchard Records
Website www.stimulatortheband.com
Members Susan Hyatt
Geoff Tyson
Chad Stewart
Sean Tichenor
Michael Brent Birnholz

Stimulator is an alternative rock band based in Los Angeles, California. The band was founded in 2002 by singer/songwriter Susan Hyatt (formerly of Pillbox) and guitarist Geoff Tyson (formerly of T-Ride and Snake River Conspiracy). The band’s songs have been featured in the Walt Disney film Ella Enchanted, MTV's The Real World and episodes of the E! Network's 50 Hottest Hollywood Hookups. Stimulator has toured the United States supporting Duran Duran, The Go-Go's, and were featured performers on the Van's Warped Tour.[1]

From 2010 to 2011, the band’s cover of Olivia Newton-John’s "Magic" was featured in Macy’s nationwide television and radio "Find Your Magic" commercials.[2]

History

In 2002, Hyatt and Tyson founded the band in Los Angeles. Joined by drummer Chad Stewart (Faster Pussycat, Gilby Clarke, Motochrist, LA Guns) and bassist Sean Tichenor (formerly of King Black Acid and James Angell), Stimulator’s early electronic sound, with its emphasis on 1980s-style new wave keyboards, was reminiscent of the band Garbage.[3]

Stimulator's debut album was licensed to the LAB/Universal Records in 2005. The cover art was designed by Duran Duran's John Taylor and designer Patty Palazzo.[4]

In 2004, music promoter Kevin Lyman handpicked the band to play the Warped Tour after hearing that their song "On Top of the World" had won Best Rock Song in the 2004 John Lennon Songwriting Contest.[3]

In 2004, Stimulator toured in support of Missing Persons and, in 2005, in support of Berlin.[5]

In 2005, Stimulator was the opening act on Duran Duran’s Astronaut tour.

In 2006, Stimulator toured as the opening act on The Go-Go's celebrated reunion tour.[1]

Album cover for Stimulator's debut album, co-designed by Duran Duran's John Taylor and designer Patty Palazzo.

In 2007, Tyson left the band and the new sound for Stimulator emerged: a mix of classic disco, easy listening California melodies, and Europop. This

was the sound for Stimulator’s second album, Stimulator 2.[6]

In 2010, Tyson and Stimulator reunited when Stimulator's cover of "Magic" became the theme song for Macy's national television and radio commercials. The commercial ran for almost two years.[2]

Also in 2010, Stimulator released its third CD, Lovelier in Black, which took a more dark wave musical direction. For this album, Michael Birnholz (formerly of Phantasm) replaced Tichenor on bass.[7]

The band’s songs have been licensed to television shows such as NBC’s Las Vegas, MTV's The Real World, ABC's Body of Proof, and The Walt Disney Company Film Ella Enchanted. Stimulator’s song "Let’s Hook Up" was the theme song for E! Entertainment’s 101 Juiciest Hollywood Hook-ups. The band’s songs have also been used in trailers for the television show 90210.

The band has covered songs such as Rush’s "Tom Sawyer" for Canadian release and Olivia Newton-John’s "Magic" for special Australian release. Stimulator’s animated/live action video for "Magic" featured a cameo by singer Cherie Currie from the classic all girl rock group The Runaways.[8]

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Compilations

Soundtracks

Singles

References

  1. 1 2 Stimulator - Punk Globe
  2. 1 2 Macy’s Magic Song - Spin Rides, Reality Shows…& Other Stuff
  3. 1 2 Interview: Stimulator – Melodic Net
  4. ↑ Susan Hyatt of Stimulator – Cutting Edge Voices
  5. ↑ Stimulator - Classic Rock Magazine
  6. ↑ Stimulator 2 - Ocean View Press
  7. ↑ Stimulator - Rock United
  8. ↑ What We’re Listening To - MusicPlayers
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