Circus Devils | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Ohio, U.S. |
Genres | Alternative rock, experimental rock, psychedelic rock, indie rock, art rock |
Years active | 2001–2017, 2023-present |
Labels |
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Members |
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Website | www |
Circus Devils is an American psychedelic rock band founded in 2001 by Robert Pollard, best known as the lead singer and songwriter of the Dayton, Ohio, band Guided by Voices. The band consists of Pollard (vocals and lyrics), Todd Tobias (music and production), and Tim Tobias (music).
Circus Devils employs a wide spectrum of musical styles, ranging from acid rock to ambient soundscapes. On the band's web site, the music is described as "garage-prog, or art rock made by cave men." [1]
Circus Devils was originally conceived in 2001 as a side project to Robert Pollard's main work with Guided by Voices. Between 2001 and 2023, the band released 15 full-length albums. Beginning with the release of their first album, Ringworm Interiors, Circus Devils dismissed the styles of Pollard's other musical endeavors for a more experimental approach, taking an ominous and nightmarish tone, exploring the themes of good and evil. [2] According to the group's whimsical website bio, Circus Devils formed because a dog-faced man approached each member on separate occasions to deliver the message, "Circus Devils is Real." [1] Like this story, the song lyrics are often unsettling fictional tales of horror delivered within deconstructed rock operas. [3] Each Circus Devils album is distinguished by a theme, concept, or production style which sets it apart from the band's other albums.
In 2007, the band's 5th album Sgt. Disco was released on Mike Patton's Ipecac Recordings record label. [4]
Band member and producer Todd Tobias authored a book in 2019 titled Circus Devils: See You Inside, published by Tiny Room in The Netherlands. [5]
Mr. Bungle is an American experimental rock band formed in Eureka, California, in 1985. Having gone through many incarnations throughout its career, the band is best known for its experimental rock period. During this time, it developed a highly eclectic style, cycling through several musical genres, often within the course of a single song, including heavy metal, avant-garde jazz, ska, disco, and funk, further enhanced by lead vocalist Mike Patton's versatile singing style. This period also saw the band utilizing unconventional song structures and samples; playing a wide array of instruments; dressing up in masks, jumpsuits, and other costumes; and performing a diverse selection of cover songs during live performances.
Robert Ellsworth Pollard Jr. is an American singer and songwriter. He is the leader of indie rock group Guided by Voices. In addition to this, he has also released 22 solo albums.
Tomahawk is an American rock supergroup. They formed in 1999 when singer/keyboardist Mike Patton met guitar player Duane Denison and the pair started swapping tapes with the intention of collaborating. Denison then recruited drummer John Stanier (Helmet), while Patton invited bass player Kevin Rutmanis (Melvins/ex-Cows). The group recorded three albums and toured extensively from 2000–2007 then went on extended hiatus, and reformed in 2013 with Trevor Dunn replacing Rutmanis.
Earthquake Glue is the 14th record by Dayton, Ohio rock group Guided by Voices. Working titles for the album included "Model Prisoners of the 5 Sense Realm", "Live Like Kings Forever", and "All Sinners Welcome". The first 25,000 copies were packaged in a numbered limited-edition digipak. Some copies of Earthquake Glue contained a golden ticket; people with a golden ticket were entitled to a free copy of the anthology box set Hardcore UFOs: Revelations, Epiphanies and Fast Food in the Western Hemisphere.
Universal Truths and Cycles is the 13th studio album by American indie rock band Guided by Voices. After releasing their previous two albums on TVT Records, Guided by Voices returned to Matador Records.
Peeping Tom were an American rock band led by Mike Patton. To date, they have released one eponymous album and three singles on Ipecac Recordings. The band has featured a wide variety of well-known artists such as Amon Tobin, Massive Attack, Dub Trio, Odd Nosdam, Norah Jones, Bebel Gilberto, Dan the Automator, and Kool Keith.
Todd Tobias is an American multi-instrumentalist and record producer, best known for his work with Robert Pollard and his band Guided by Voices. Other projects include Circus Devils, Kramies, The Library Is On Fire, and musical theater composer and lyricist George Griggs.
Sgt. Disco is the fifth studio album by the Ohio psychedelic/experimental rock band Circus Devils. The album was released first as a double-vinyl LP. The CD version of the album was released by Mike Patton's Ipecac Recordings label on August 28, 2007. Sgt. Disco features Robert Pollard on vocals and Todd Tobias on all instruments and atmospheres.
Robert Pollard Is Off to Business is the tenth studio album by singer-songwriter Robert Pollard, released on June 2, 2008. This is the first LP release from Robert Pollard's new record label Guided by Voices Inc. All instrumentation on the album was performed by producer Todd Tobias. Many of the songs on the album were over three minutes in length, which is unusual for a Pollard release.
The Harold Pig Memorial is the second studio album by the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils, released in 2002. Conceived as a concept album, each song depicts an episode in the life of biker Harold Pig as told by Harold's friends at his wake.
Pinball Mars is the third studio album from Ohio alternative rock band Circus Devils. The album, written as a mini-rock opera, was released in 2004. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias.
Ringworm Interiors is the debut album from the Ohio psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. Released in 2001, the album is a collage of brash musical vignettes with moods ranging from aggressive and disorienting to haunting and dreamy.
Ataxia is the sixth studio album released by the American alternative/psychedelic rock band Circus Devils on October 31, 2008. All songs on Ataxia were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias.
Five is the fourth studio album by the experimental/psychedelic rock band Circus Devils. Released in 2005, Five is considered among the band's least accessible albums due to the fragmented moods and styles and the experimental nature of the music. All songs on Five were written and performed by Robert Pollard and Todd Tobias.
Gringo is the seventh studio album released by the American psychedelic rock band Circus Devils in 2009. All songs on Gringo were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias. The first all-acoustic album released by Circus Devils, Gringo is a song cycle in which each track recounts a moment in the life of a nameless drifter known only as "the Gringo." The moods on the album range widely between jubilant to melancholy to mean.
Mike Patton is an American singer, best known for providing lead vocals for Faith No More along with Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, Peeping Tom, Tomahawk, Lovage and more. In addition to recording and working with these bands, he has also been involved in many side projects and collaborations. Patton is most frequently known as a vocalist, but has also produced, played various musical instruments, has composed soundtracks, done voice over work and has done some acting.
Forgiveness Rock Record is the fourth studio album by Canadian indie rock musical collective Broken Social Scene, released by the Arts & Crafts record label on May 4, 2010. The critically acclaimed album, produced by John McEntire of the bands Tortoise and The Sea and Cake, features guest appearances by Feist, Emily Haines of Metric, Scott Kannberg from Pavement, Sebastien Grainger of Death from Above 1979, and Sam Prekop also of The Sea and Cake.
Mother Skinny is the eighth studio album released by the American psychedelic rock band Circus Devils in March, 2010. All songs on Mother Skinny were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias. The album is a return to the aggressive rock sound of the band's earlier albums, following the mostly acoustic 2009 album Gringo.
Zeppelin over China is the 27th studio album by American indie rock group Guided by Voices. It was released on February 1, 2019 on the Rockathon Records label and was recorded at Magic Door in New Jersey, Serious Business Records in New York and Stillwater Lodge in Dayton, Ohio. The double album received mixed to favorable reviews from critics scoring 65 out 100 on aggregate website Metacritic and four out five stars on AllMusic, with several critics commenting on the positive output of the band's current lineup.
When Machines Attack is the tenth studio album from the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. The album, which has an abrasive, aggressive sound, was released in 2013, in conjunction with the album My Mind Has Seen the White Trick, which in contrast to When Machines Attack, has a gentler music style. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias.