Animotion

Animotion are a New Wave synth pop-rock band from Los Angeles, California. The group first formed in 1983. The original founding members were: singer Astrid Plane, keyboardist Paul F. Antonelli, bassist Charles Ottavio and drummer Frenchy O'Brien. Lead singer/guitarist Bill Wadhams and lead guitarist Don Kirkpatrick subsequently joined the band. Animotion released their self-titled debut album in 1984. The group scored a substantial international smash success with the supremely funky and hard-thrashing scorcher, "Obsession", in 1985: The song peaked at #6 in both America and Canada, #5 in Britain, #8 in Germany, #9 in South Africa, and #17 in Austria. Alas, the worthy follow-up single, "Let Him Go", barely cracked the US Top 40 pop charts at #39 in that same year. Animotion released their second album, "Strange Behavior", that same year. At the height of their fame in the 80s, Animotion toured with such popular acts as INXS, Depeche Mode, Phil Collins, Genesis and Eurythmics. The band underwent a significant line-up change in 1988: Plane, Wadhams and Ottavio all left; among the new members were singer/actress Cynthia Rhodes and singer Paul Engemann. This particular incarnation of the group scored a Top 10 hit with the bouncy, "Room to Move", in April, 1989. Animotion eventually broke up in 1990. On February 8, 2001, original members Astrid Plane, Bill Wadhams, Don Kirkpatrick and Charles Ottavio relaunched the band. Animotion still play occasional live gigs around the Los Angeles area with such fellow 80s New Wave acts as Berlin and Missing Persons.