The Stop Motion
- Soundtrack
The Stop Motion was formed when Gaston de la Vega introduced singer-songwriter Juan Lopez to drummer Ari Dimitriou in the summer of 2001. Shortly thereafter, Alex Garcia joined the group as a lead guitarist, and the band was complete. Each member had participated in earlier projects, such as Clark Nova, Precisely Edison, and Black Line Grind. The Stop Motion's first EP, self-titled (2002), introduced a distinct blend of indie-alternative rock, grunge, shoegaze, and pop to the local music scene in Miami. After performing in popular venues across South Florida, the band developed a large following and garnered favorable reviews in notable periodicals such as the New Times and The Miami Herald. Joining forces with indie-rock producer Ed Artigas of Unit 7 Studios in Hialeah, FL, the band released their first full length LP, Crushed (2002), which met with positive critical reception. The album sold out at popular South Florida venues such as Churchill's Pub and The Button South, establishing a greater fan-base for the band and a wider online presence. In 2003,The Stop Motion embarked on a U.S. tour, opening for mainstream national acts such as Iggy Pop, Sum 41, Minus the Bear, and Yellowcard to showcase for Epic Records, Geffen Records, and Doghouse Records in major venues across the nation, such as CBGB and The House of Blues. Following their tour, the group signed with agent John Tovar, former manager of Marilyn Manson and The Mavericks. Thereafter the band recorded a second EP, Trust (Dungeon Studios, 2004) and a third EP, In Bad Company (2005), drawing interest from major commercial producers, while booking larger events, such as Global Gathering and CMJ Music Festival. Their first single, "Boo Kitty," appeared in the film, 30 Days Until I'm Famous (2004), starring Sean Patrick Flanery with executive producer Madonna. In 2006 the band entered the studio to record their second full length album, Greater than Grenades, but the members disbanded in 2007 before it could be released.