Tim Stopulos

We here at timstoptrio.com wanted to take a moment to wish everybody a Happy Independence Day! As some of you may know, Tim's started his first band at Wake Forest in North Carolina and they were called "Fourth" (often times referred to as "Fuerth"). Despite that band name having no relation to the 4th of July, we encourage you to take a moment to remember Tim's first band during your Independence Day festivities. Perhaps you could take a trip to Winston-Salem, NC and visit the house in which they formed, on Long Drive. Either way, be safe and enjoy your day!

We'll see you all soon! And Happy Fuerth of July!!

Just before the sweat comes. Sweet.













Lie to Me. So Nasty.













Add a caption. Funniest answer wins a CD!













Cloaked in darkness and mystery.













She's a Professional.













Justin and his dysfunctional drum kit.












Malaga: a Spanish city, therefore we incorporate spanish instruments: a Cajon. And la guitarra.








Let us know what you think Michael is saying. Or thinking. If anything. Talk to you soon!

TS3

We rehearse constantly. We rehearse so much because we want each of our parts literally burned into our brains (aka branded into our cerebrums) so that when we perform it's as easy and natural as walking or breathing. A musician's biggest fear is forgetting his parts. Of course, with enough practice you can be essentially in total control. The one thing that a musician can't control is their equipment. You can be well prepared, but eventually guitar strings break, drumsticks break, pics fall out of hands, these are all pretty common and we're used to them. I wasn't ready for what happened Saturday night at Martyrs'.

I'm set up, ready to go, sound checked and Tim says "Ok. You ready?" "Ready!" I go into the intro beat to 'Count Me In', our opening song. Suddenly, my hi hat slams shut.

Drum Workshop 101: The hi hat is the pair of cymbals that are on top of each other and open and close with a rod connected to a pedal. The top cymbal of the hi hat is clutched to the rod by a screw that can be adjusted, giving the drummer full control of the distance between the two cymbals. Sometimes that screw comes loosened a little bit. Usually, that's no biggie.
You just give it a half turn and you're back in action.

For some ungodly reason, mine unscrewed and flew off of the rod. I'm thinking, "OMG. We're 2 measures into this song, my hi hat is closed, I have no idea where the screw is, and there's no break after this song, we're going straight into 'Lie To Me'. Can I wait two songs?? There's no way, I absolutely need it for both of these songs. What am I going to do?!" My mind is racing. "What if I don't find it? I'll have to borrow one from the other drummer. What if it doesn't fit?" Of course, I'm thinking all this while playing and frantically looking on the floor for it. Thanks to nothing short of a miracle I spot it in front of my kit on the floor.

"Ok," I think. "The breakdown of the song is coming. I have 8 measures to jump up, go to the front of my kit, grab it, go back to my kit, screw it in, and resume playing." So I grab it and run back behind my kit and my hands are shaking while I'm fumbling to screw it back in. For a moment I think "ABORT! Just play! Get it after Lie To Me!" Unbelievably, I got it in just in time and finished the song.

'Lie To Me' rocked the house. I needed to let loose after that stressful version of 'Count Me In''. My arms we're flailing, I was just rocking out. Now that I felt much better, it was time to go into 'Normal'.

A few measures into 'Normal' I realized that my utter rocking during 'Lie To Me' has pushed my bass drum off a little bit and my pedal became completely unlatched from my bass drum! Are you kidding me?! My foot was barely hanging on to the loose bass pedal while I was playing but somehow I make it through. Song ends, I readjust. We're all good. For now...

'Professional' is next and halfway through the song I realize the mic stand for my toms is slowly dropping down in between my toms so that it's in my way, which it continues to do throughout the set after adjusting it in between songs.

The audience request song of the night was "As" by Stevie Wonder. This song features tamborine through the first half of the song. Luckily for me, I have a mounted tamborine that I can play. Fittingly, the tambourine is slowly moving down on my mount and threatening to sit on top of my hi hat for the remainder of the song. Thankfully, she stayed put.

Finally, the rock gods showered me with their mercy, and 'Malaga', 'After You' (our new song, world debut!), and 'Too Close' closed out our set equipment problem free.

Never in my life have I had this many problems in a set before. I guess it was just one of those nights.

Thanks to everyone who came out. Your support means the world to us and you guys were so much fun!

See you soon. Keep an eye on the tour dates section of this page for a show near you!

Hey everyone,
Saturday night is the one and only full band Chicago show of the summer! It's sure to be a great time and we would love to have each and every one of you there.

TIM STOP TRIO
Saturday June 13th, Doors 9PM
Martyrs'
3855 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL

Click this http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=77030888493 for more info and to RSVP.

See you Saturday!
TS3

Here's "Professional", one of our newer songs , taken from a practice a few weeks ago:


Professional- Drums.mp3 - Tim Stop Trio

Important firsts in Michigan history:

1872 - Elijah J. McCoy, an African-American inventor raised in Ypsilanti, patented the first automatic lubrication system for locomotives and other machinery. The device was so effective it was difficult to sell imitations that were not "the real McCoy"; McCoy's name became synonymous with anything genuine or authentic.

1913 - The Ford Motor Company introduced the first moving automobile assembly line at Highland Park.

1927 - First commercially-prepared baby food was invented by Daniel F. Gerber of Fremont.

2009 - The Tim Stop Trio plays their first show in Michigan.

It's crazy to think that Michigan has been a state in this great Union since 1837, and waited until 2009 to stage its first TS3 concert. You may blame a majority of that drought on the fact that Tim wasn't born until 1983, but we here at timstoptrio.com hardly find that a palatable excuse.

In any case, I think all those in attendance would agree that it was worth the 172 year wait.

The Livery, which is a microbrewery in Benton Harbor, is a fantastic place to play. Beautiful sound in the room, and the crowd was wonderful (thanks, "Steady" Sara Liebscher). They were such a gracious and receptive group that we decided to play 2 new songs for them, "Unconditional" and "She's Gone".

Other highlights include:

Malaga
Angie Rae
Pride and Prejudice

Playing all the bars I have in the past, I've gotten very used to talking to the crowd and asking for requests, almost dependent on it. We had planned on doing all originals, but after a few songs, I felt like I needed to open the room up a little and throw in something they knew. That led to:

I'm Yours
Big Shot
Sweet Baby James (acoustic encore)

Thanks to everyone who made it such an awesome night! You guys were so much fun to hang with, and we can't wait to get up to see you again!

Talk soon.