Stimulator are not the usual genre of
music I listen to but I enjoyed the album they
recently released. Ok not full on Punk but
thereīs some Punk influence in the Pop tunes
they play and thatīs what makes this band
interesting. Since theyīve done a top album I
just had to interview them. Hereīs what Susan
Hyatt had to say on behalf of the band.
Punk Globe: Firstly can you introduce Stimulator
the band to our readers?
SH: Stimulator consists of: Susan Hyatt -
Vocals, Geoff Tyson - Guitars, Chad Stewart -
Drums, Sean Tichenor - Bass
We are a female fronted rock band influenced by
80īs new wave/disco from the Sex Pistols to
Donna Summer.
Geoff and I are the main songwriters.
Punk Globe: What inspires you to
play/write the music that you perform?
SH: Iīm an artist and an exhibitionist. Itīs
only natural to want adulation for the art one
produces. I love to perform and be in front of
people. There is no high like the one you have
when you play in front of 20,000 people. When we
played at Madison Square Garden on the Duran
Tour I started crying! To watch people sing your
lyrics is magical.
Punk Globe: On your album itīs stated
that you do the vocals and Geoff played all the
instruments so what made go for a full band
live? Is it easier to have a full band play live
than having to do all the programming for a
show?
SH: I think bands are so much more exciting. You
need the energy of a live band. Stimulator is
now a real "band." Chad Stewart and Sean
Tichenor are permanent members of Stimulator now
and when we do our next record they will be
playing on it. The only reason why this
Stimulator record is produced like a Eurythmics
record is because Geoff and I only had each
other at the time. We both work very quickly and
since Geoff us such a phenomenal musician we
just went with it. I am a guitar player myself.
This is the first time I am not playing guitar
on one of my records, although I did use it to
construct some of the songs.
Punk Globe: Youīve just recently toured
with Duran Duran so how did you get on the bill?
SH: I met John Taylor when I was playing guitar
for Juliet (who is this fantastic electronic
artist on Virgin Records.) We supported Duran
Duran on the East Coast and Canada Tour last
April and John and I became friends. I gave John
a copy of the Stimulator album and he became a
fan and mentor. He is an incredible person and
he immediately took us under his wing. He even
did the artwork for the new updated Stimulator
album.
Punk Globe: What was it like playing
support for a famous band like Duran Duran? Were
they alright as people? Fancy any of them?
SH: It was literally a dream come true. I canīt
think of a band that I would like to tour with
more. Duran Duran has always been one of my all
time favourite bands. They are musical legends!
They are such lovely men as well. I gave them
all Stimulator t-shirts and the next thing I see
is pictures of them wearing them! If that isnīt
validation I donīt know what is. I canīt say
enough good things about that band. They are
totally down to earth and supportive of newer
bands. You bet I fancied them and still do in a
teenage crush kind of way. I had a big crush on
John Taylor when I was a kid. Simon still looks
fantastic and I asked him to do a duet with me
and
he said Yes!
Punk Globe: Going back to your album how
come you released it yourself? How have sales
gone and what kind of response have you had
regards it?
SH: We released ourselves because we could not
get a major to pay attention. At the time they
were only interested in Avril Lavigne and other
teenagers. Stimulator is a more sophisticated
and older band. We actually have something to
sing and play about it. We have real experience
and not writing with the Matrix or Linda Perry
to draw from theirs. We have sold about 5000
records and we have gotten amazing responses to
the record. We have blogs from around the world,
even Japan, which gets me so excited because I
love Japanese culture. We are now signed to the
Lab/Universal Records and our album will
officially be released on February 1st in the
USA. We have had limited edition single releases
in the UK on Org records and Australia on
Lincoln Road/MGM Records and we just licensed
our album for release in Canada on Oct. 18th on
Bongo Beat Records.
Punk Globe: I noticed youīre a very
attractive and slim woman so do you model
outside the band?
SH: Thanks for the compliment but no I donīt
have the right kind of personality for that. I
work really hard to look good, Iīm not one of
those naturally thin people. I relate more to
Oprah than to Giselle.
Punk Globe: Personally I think
Stimulator are one of the best bands Iīve had
the pleasure of hearing in 2005 and are well
worthy of being signed to a large Independent or
Major label so can you see this happening soon?
SH: Thanks yes, we are now signed to the
Lab/Universal Records.
Punk
Globe: Aside from Stimulator what interests do
you have?
SH: Do I have time for other interests? I donīt
even have a boyfriend! Hmmmm, well I love art
galleries, indie films, I design my own stage
clothes and started a fashion line called
Stimulator Clothing and I also have an interest
in real estate.
Punk Globe: So can we see you touring
the UK/Europe any time or do you just want to
concentrate on the USA first?
SH: Absolutely, we just got Helter Skelter as
our booking agent in the UK so we will be there
soon! Our plan all along was to start the
Stimulator ball rolling in the UK since I have a
bit of a profile there with Pillbox.
Punk Globe: Youīve released a cracking
album and played with Duran Duran this year so
whatīs next on the itinerary?
SH: We just want to keep supporting amazing
bands on tour. The goal is to get out in front
of as many people as possible and spread the
Stimulator word!
Punk Globe: Anything youīd like to add?
SH: Buy the album people! I am very proud of the
Stimulator record, we went through Hell and back
to make it happen and in the end itīs worth it,
no doubt! Go to the website for more
information.
Thanks for Susan for doing the interview
and be sure to look out for Stimulator. Wicked
band and theyīre going to go far! Watch this
space!
