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Circus of Power

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Circus of Power
OriginNew York, New York, United States of America
GenresHard rock,[1] sleaze rock,[2] heavy metal,[3] pop metal[4]
Years active1986-1995, 2014-present
LabelsRCA Records, Columbia Records
MembersAlex Mitchell

Joe Truck John Sharkey Billy Tsounis

Anthony Portillo
Past membersAlex Mitchell
Ricky Mahler
Ryan Maher
Joey Wrecked (Maya)
Gary Sunshine
Marc Frappier
Ian Astbury
Craymore Stevens
Victor Indrizzo
Zowie

Circus of Power is a rock band that formed in New York City in 1986.

Overview

The band formed in 1986 in New York City. A no-frills band heavy on tattoos, biker-band lyrics and leather, the band consisted of vocalist Alex Mitchell, guitar players Ricky Mahler and Gary Sunshine, bassist Craymore Stevens, and drummer Joey Wrecked. In July 1987, Joey Wrecked quit the band and was replaced by Ryan Maher. The group played in New York for several years until they were signed by RCA Records. Around 1990, Gary Sunshine switched to guitar, and Zowie joined as bassist. In 1990, Circus of Power got a huge break, being named as the lone opening band (for the complete tour) opening for Black Sabbath on their Tyr album.[5]

Zowie was replaced by Marc 'Frap' Frappier, and Ryan Maher by Victor Indrizzo respectively. In 1991, the band signed to Columbia Records and relocated to Los Angeles. Circus of Power disbanded around 1995.

Revivals

In 2006, Circus of Power played two 20th-anniversary shows. The first in Austin, Texas, at Elysium on June 3, during the Republic of Texas Biker Rally, and the second in New York City at Don Hill's on September 27. The NYC performance included Queen Vixen and Honey 1Percenter from Cycle Sluts From Hell on backing vocals, with Daniel Rey (Ramones) and Phil Caivano (Monster Magnet) as guest performers. It was their first New York performance in 12 years.

A 2007 interview indicated that singer Alex Mitchell planned to resurrect the band with a new album.[6]

In 2008, Circus of Power was offered the opportunity to play two events, neither of which they could attend due to scheduling conflicts. The first was the Republic of Texas Biker Rally in June, and the Sturgis Biker Rally in August. [citation needed]

On December 1, 2008, Alex Mitchell informed circusofpower.net that Rock Candy Records will reissue Circus of Power's eponymous debut album. The reissue will be remastered and contain a 14-page booklet with a 4000 word essay on the band.[7] A release date has not been set.

The Knitting Factory in Los Angeles was the site for a Circus of Power reunion show on June 27, 2009. The show was to celebrate Club Vodka's seventh anniversary and the reissue of Circus of Power's debut album. After some solo efforts and a few one off "reunion" gigs, singer Alex Mitchell decided it was time to put a proper line up together. In late 2014 Alex contacted some of his O.G. buddies from the old New York scene and his post C.O.P. bands- Fat Nancy & Captain Zapped, and immediately entered the studio with fresh material. The new line up also shot a video for the song "Hard Drivin' Sister". The current line up consists of: Alex Mitchell- Vocals Billy Tsounis- Lead guitar Joe Truck- Guitar John Sharkey- Bass JK Fortyseven-Drums

Past members

  • Alex Mitchell - lead vocals (1986 - 1995)
  • Ricky Mahler - lead guitar (1986 - 1995)
  • Joey Wrecked (Maya) - drums (1986-1987)
  • Gary Sunshine - rhythm guitar (1986 - 1995)
  • Marc Frappier - bass guitar (1991 - 1995)
  • Craymore Stevens - bass guitar (1986 - 1990)
  • Ryan Maher - drums (1987 - 1991)
  • Victor Indrizzo - drums (1991 - 1995)
  • Zowie Ackermann - bass guitar (1990 - 1991)
  • Tony Portillo - drums (2014 - 2016)

Discography

Studio Albums

Title Details Chart positions Notes
US
Circus of Power 185
No.TitleLength
1."Motor" 
2."White Trash Queen" 
3."Call of the Wild" 
4."Needles" 
5."In the Wind" 
6."Heart Attack" 
7."Crazy" 
8."Letters Home" 
9."Backseat Mama" 
10."Machine" 
Vices
  • Released: 1990
  • Label: RCA Records
 —
No.TitleLength
1."Gates of Love" 
2."Desire/Fire in the Night" 
3."Two River Highway" 
4."Vices" 
5."Don't Drag Me Down" 
6."Last Call Rosie" 
7."Doctor Potion" 
8."Los Angeles" 
9."Got Hard..." 
10."Temptation" 
11."Junkie Girl" 
12."Simple Man/Simple Woman" 
Magic & Madness —
No.TitleLength
1."Swamp Devil" 
2."Evil Woman" 
3."Heaven & Hell" 
4."Circles" 
5."Poison Girl" 
6."Shine" 
7."Dreams Tonight" 
8."Mama Tequila" 
9."Black Roses" 
10."Waitin' for the Wizard" 
11."Outta My Head" 
12."Slip Away" 

EPs/Live Albums

Title Details Chart positions Notes
US
Still Alive —
No.TitleLength
1."Still Alive And Well" 
2."Motor" 
3."Letters Home" 
4."White Trash Queen" 
5."Heart Attack" 
6."Turn Up The Jams" 
Live at the Ritz
  • Released: 1991
  • Label: RCA
 —
No.TitleLength
1."Gates Of Love" 
2."Call Of The Wild" 
3."Los Angeles" 
4."Vices" 
5."How Many More Times" 

Tracks in film and television

  • "Machine", from the band's 1988 eponymous debut album, was featured in the comedy movie The 'Burbs the following year. Corey Feldman's character, Ricky Butler, played air guitar during the song's intro.
  • They performed "Call of the Wild" and "Letter Home" at the end of a 1989 episode of The Morton Downey, Jr. Show concerning heavy metal.
  • In the Beavis and Butt-head episode "Eating Contest", the two watch the music video for "Heaven or Hell". Beavis mistakes the band for Alice in Chains, to which Butt-head claims they are not that band yet they sound like them.

See also

References

  1. ^ Phillips, William; Cogan, Brian (2009). Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal Music. Greenwood Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-313-34800-6.
  2. ^ Jeffries, Vincent. "Circus of Power – Artist Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  3. ^ Wurtzel, Elizabeth (May 28, 1990). "Metal Urges". New York. Vol. 23, no. 21. p. 71. ISSN 0028-7369.
  4. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Circus of Power – Vices". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  5. ^ Black Sabbath Tour Date Archives
  6. ^ Alex Mitchell Interview Jan. 24, 2007
  7. ^ CircusofPower.net Page December 1, 2008
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