Circus of Power
| Circus of Power | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York, New York, United States of America |
| Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal, sleaze metal |
| Years active | 1986-1995, 2014-present |
| Labels | RCA Records, Columbia Records |
| Associated acts |
NY Loose Uncle Max's Cosmic Band Fat Nancy Second Ring Of Power |
| Members |
Alex Mitchell Joe Truck John Sharkey Billy Tsounis Anthony Portillo |
| Past members |
Alex Mitchell Ricky Mahler Ryan Maher Gary Sunshine Marc Frappier Ian Astbury Craymore Stevens Victor Indrizzo Zowie |
Circus of Power is a heavy metal 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 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.[1]
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.[2]
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.
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.[3] 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 Tony Portillo-Drums
Past members
- Alex Mitchell - lead vocals (1986 - 1995)
- Ricky Mahler - lead guitar (1986 - 1995)
- Gary Sunshine - rhythm guitar (1986 - 1995)
- Marc Frappier - bass guitar (1991 - 1995)
- Craymore Stevens - bass guitar (1986 - 1990)
- Ryan Maher - drums (1986 - 1991)
- Victor Indrizzo - drums (1991 - 1995)
- Zowie Ackermann - bass guitar (1990 - 1991)
Discography
- Circus of Power (1988)
- Still Alive (1989)
- Vices (1990)
- Live at The Ritz (1990)
- Magic & Madness (1993)
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.
References
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