Circus Devils

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Circus Devils
Circus devils -1.JPG
left to right: Tim Tobias, Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias
Background information
Origin Ohio, U.S.
Genres Alternative rock, experimental rock, psychedelic rock, indie rock, art rock
Years active2001–2017, 2023-present
LabelsHappy Jack Rock Records
Ipecac Recordings
Rockathon Records
Members Robert Pollard
Todd Tobias
Tim Tobias
Website www.circusdevils.net

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).

Contents

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]

History

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]

In 2016, the band announced that their next record would be their final, titled "Laughs Last". [5]

Band member and producer Todd Tobias authored a book in 2019 titled Circus Devils: See You Inside, published by Tiny Room in The Netherlands. [6]

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

Reviews

Related Research Articles

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<i>Sgt. Disco</i> 2007 album by Circus Devils

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.

<i>Robert Pollard Is Off to Business</i> 2008 studio album by Robert Pollard

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.

<i>The Harold Pig Memorial</i> 2002 album by Circus Devils

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.

<i>Pinball Mars</i> 2003 album by Circus Devils

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.

<i>Ringworm Interiors</i> 2001 album by Circus Devils

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.

<i>Ataxia</i> (album) 2008 album by Circus Devils

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.

<i>Five</i> (Circus Devils album) 2005 album by Circus Devils

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.

<i>Gringo</i> (album) 2009 album by Circus Devils

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.

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<i>Mother Skinny</i> 2010 album by Circus Devils

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.

<i>Capsized!</i> 2011 album by Circus Devils

Capsized! is the ninth studio album released by the American rock band Circus Devils in October, 2011. All songs on Capsized! were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias.

<i>Zeppelin Over China</i> 2019 studio album by Guided by Voices

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<i>When Machines Attack</i> 2013 album by Circus Devils

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.

<i>My Mind Has Seen The White Trick</i> 2013 album by Circus Devils

My Mind Has Seen The White Trick is the eleventh studio album from the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. The album marks the first time the band reversed its songwriting process by first recording Robert Pollard's unaccompanied, a capella vocals before the music was written. On every other Circus Devils albums, band members Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias recorded the music first. Also for the first time, the band utilizes jazz-influenced rhythms on certain tracks. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias.

<i>Escape</i> (Circus Devils album) 2014 studio album by Circus Devils

Escape is the 12th studio album from the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. The album's relaxed atmosphere sets it apart from the band's other works. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias.

<i>Stomping Grounds</i> (album) 2015 album by Circus Devils

Stomping Grounds is the 13th studio album from the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. The album is divided into two halves, with side one of the vinyl record having a more aggressive, classic rock sound, in contrast with side two, which is more relaxed and pensive. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias.

References

  1. 1 2 "Circus Devils band INFO". Circusdevils.net.
  2. Lymangrover, Jason (2007). "Circus Devils – Biography". AllMusic.
  3. AllMusic.com
  4. "Ipecac Recordings - Circus Devils". Ipecac.com.
  5. "Circus Devils Announce Final Album 'Laughs Last', Share "Do The Nixon" Via Magnet". Shockwavemagazine.com. December 1, 2016.
  6. tinyroom.nl
  7. "Circus Devils albums". Discogs.com.