Artist description Five piece progressive rock/art-rock band, influenced by classic 70's prog acts like Yes, Genesis, ELP, etc.

Music Style Progressive Rock, Art Rock

Musical Influences Genesis, Yes, ELP, Rush, King Crimson, Kansas

Similar Artists Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd

Artist History Vocalist Tim Brooks says: "Animator was formed from the rubble of two Champaign-Urbana, Illinois bands that had broken up within a week of each other. Stacey Krejci (keyboards) and I (vocals & lyrics) were in a band called Ex Nihilo whose guitarist, Mike Sage went on to work on some of the Veggie Tale projects. We were pretty much a college band. All of us were/are Christians. As college bands do we soon found ourselves going in different directions. Stacey and I were also not satisfied with the musical direction. We had met at a Bible study and found a common interest in the progressive bands of the 70's. Stacey was heavily influenced by Rush and Yes, while I was influenced by Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, Genesis and Peter Gabriel.John Hawkins (drummer), Jay Hawkins (bass) and Rick Ruzga (guitarist) were all members of Cinema. Jay and John, already being acquaintances of Stacey found about Ex Nihilo's breakup, wanted to see if we would want to try playing together. These three musicians were very gifted. Our common interest in progressive bands immediately made us gel. They, however were not Christians.In 1988, we began our venture practicing a 20 minute long medley from Genesis called "In The Cage". This song, an ominous song to start with, was such fun to learn and do that we soon found ourselves learning many other such "covers" from the 70's. We also began writing our own stuff. Stacey having talent on many intsruments was our primary writer while I wrote the lyrics. I coming from a formerly atheist background gave a somewhat philosophical bent to the lyrics.By 1990 we had completed the album Gallery and began shopping around to various Christian and progressive labels. While we received some interest in Europe, it was not a huge sale. We ended up selling all the CDs we had cut.Eventually, Rick Ruzga became a Christian. After receiving his masters degree in Ceramic Engineering, he found himself receiving an offer he could not refuse to further his profession. He took a job with 3M in Minnesota, and Animator found itself without a guitarist. This occurred around 1993. Animator began a local search for a new guitarist. By this time we had already begun writing songs for a second CD.Our search ended with a local guitar phenomenon named Chris Carroll. Chris is an amazing player, but again he was not a Christian. Chris, a proficient writer, began taking the Animator style in a new direction. The style now took on a harder, more guitar-oriented style. Which personally was more too my liking.Meanwhile Stacey, who was soon to be married, began having misgivings about being a professional musician. With all the songs nearly completed for a second CD, Stacey eventually pulled out. At this point, Animator floundered for about six months while gaining a new, over-committed, keyboardist. The songs were then finished, but so was the band. Animator faded away as practices ceased to get scheduled and players just drifted away. This was in 1995.I liked the second CD much more than the first, and was sad to see the songs never make it to disc. I made several pleas with each member to try to find studio musicians to get the songs on disc. Chris agreed, and we got a studio band together. The last song that I have appended to the CD was the product of this attempt. It is called "Out of the Garden". The bass player on this project is Gary Strator of Starcastle. This was not a completed work, but once again we lost touch and studio time did not get scheduled. I have not heard from Gary or Chris now in two years. I too have got caught up in my family and work.Stacey went on to play bass and keyboard for Farewell To Juliet, but only for studio projects. Stacey was never fond of playing live. John and Jay are not in any band either now. Rick still dabbles in bands as a hobby. I have had a lot of contact with Jeff Elbel from Farewell To Juliet (and other bands), who has asked me to sing on his Ping project. This is slow moving project as Jeff is definitely a busy guy."

Group Members Tim Books (vocals, lyrics), Stacey Krejci (keys, songwriting), John Hawkins (drummer), Jay Hawkins (bass) and Rick Ruzga (guitarist)

Instruments Guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, vocals

Albums Gallery

Additional Info "Out of the Garden" from unfinished second album

Location Urbana, IL - USA

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