Prime Circle

Last updated

Prime Circle
Prime Circle Live.jpg
Prime Circle performing live on-stage in 2012
Background information
Origin Johannesburg, South Africa
Genres
Years active2001–present
LabelsDavid Gresham, EMI, Universal Music, Electro Mode, Virgin Records
Members
  • Marco Gomes
  • Dale Schnettler
  • Dirk Bisschoff
  • Neil Breytenbach
  • Gavin Edwards
Past members
  • Ross Learmonth
  • Gerhard Venter
Website www.primecircleband.com

Prime Circle are a South African rock band, based in Johannesburg. The band has released 7 studio albums [1] and achieved either gold or platinum status in South Africa. The band has expanded its audience to England and Europe where they are represented by a German agent and have signed an international recording deal, [2] performing at festivals and their own shows in Germany. [1]

Contents

Early years

Prime Circle was formed in the mining town of Witbank, Mpumalanga in December 2001. [3] The band signed with independent local label, David Gresham Records in 2002, whose first two albums are considered to have defined the band's signature sound and style. [3] In 2008, Prime Circle signed to EMI Music South Africa. [4] From 2014 Prime Circle release Let The Night in, If you Don't you Never Will and Live World through with Electro Mode.

Band members

Current Members
Past Members


Timeline

Prime Circle

Career landmarks

2016

Awards and nominations

Prime Circle have won several South African Music Awards for their albums and music videos, including Best Music Video of the Year at the SAMA XXI category as well as nominated for the MTV Africa Music Awards for Best Pop & Alternative Act and Best Music Video of the Year for their single DOORS off their album Let The Night In. The band was also nominated for Best Artist in African Rock at the All Africa Music Awards.

In 2023 Afri-Indie awarded Prime Circle the Highest Honour: Rock Royalty Award

Acts performed with

Discography

Hello Crazy World (2002)

Their July 2002 debut album, "Hello Crazy World" was a success in South Africa with the first single, "Hello" topping the national charts for 28 weeks. [16]

This was followed in 2003 and 2004 by "Let Me Go", "As Long As I Am Here", "My Inspiration" and "Same Goes For You" all topping the charts in 2003 and 2004. The album achieved platinum sales status. [16] The follow-up album, "Live This Life" was already in the making and was released in 2005.

Live This Life (2005)

Their second album "Live this Life" (October 2005 release) reached gold status early in 2006 and "Miracle", "Maybe Wrong" and "Way It Could Be" joined the title track of the album in chart success through to 2007 with a remake of "As Long As I Am Here" following on their heels. The two albums cemented their position as the biggest selling South African rock act of 2003/2004/2005/2006. [17]

In 2007 the band performed internationally at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival with names like Prodigy, Iron Maiden and Robert Plant and later that year sharing the second 46664 stage with acts like Peter Gabriel, Live and GooGoo Dolls.

Living in a Crazy World (DVD) (2006)

In July 2006, a DVD entitled Living in a Crazy World was released, which featured hits from their first two albums performed live at The Function Room in Johannesburg.

Best of (box set) (2007)

In 2007 David Gresham Records released a CD / DVD Best of box set which followed the success of previous albums. The CD featured 17 tracks including some acoustic, live and remixed versions of previously released tracks and a new track, Moments which reached no.1 on many local radio charts. [18]

All or Nothing (CD and DVD) (2008)

Neil Breytenbach joined the band on the keyboards in July 2007 and pre-production of "All Or Nothing" commenced before the end of the year. Neil's arrival opened the band up to adding more keyboards to their songs, especially in live performances.

All or Nothing was released by the band's new record label, EMI Music South Africa in June 2008 followed in 2009 by a live DVD recorded during the launch of the album. The DVD release coincided with an international release of the All or Nothing CD.

In 2009 "All or Nothing" reached platinum status and charted with "Out Of This Place" and "All I Need", "Consider Me". The album was nominated for a SAMA in that year, [19] and "Consider Me" brought another nomination for the band the following year. [20]

2009 saw Prime Circle depart for a tour of Dubai, Bahrain and London and following on from the exposure gained from their performances around the 20/20 cricket series held in South Africa, embarked on a Hard Rock Cafe tour of India. [21] Their first foray into Europe came that year with showcases in Berlin and Cologne. [22]

In 2010 the band returned to India playing the Rock in India concert. [23]

Jekyll and Hyde (2010)

In early 2010 the band began work on their fourth studio album Jekyll & Hyde. Kevin Shirley mastered the tracks. [24]

Jekyll & Hyde was released in South Africa in September 2010 in derivatives: A single CD, a double CD featuring the live audio recordings from the "All Or Nothing" DVD and a CD/DVD pack featuring a documentary shot during the band's second tour to India.

The album's first single Breathing, released in August went No. 1 on regional stations in the first week [ citation needed ] and repeated the chart topping success on national radio. [25] The track topped the radio airplay charts for that year (most played).[ citation needed ]

Evidence (2012)

In July 2012 the band entered the studio to record their fifth studio album Evidence which was released on 12 November 2012. [26]

The first released single from this album, "Time Kills Us All" played on radio for the first time on 28 September 2012 and just missed the top position on the KIA Take 40 SA 15 weeks later reaching position 2 but staying in the charts for 18 weeks.[ citation needed ]

In November 2012 the second single and title track of the album was released on national radio station, 5FM followed by a South African national "Evidence" tour.

On 7 February 2013 the band announced the dates for their return to Germany to launch the album in Europe. The band was barely back in South Africa before announcing that in June 2013 they would be opening for 3 Doors Down in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Switzerland during that band's Best of album tour.

Let The Night In (2014)

The band released their sixth studio album entitled Let The Night In on 13 June 2014 under their own label. For the first time, the band visited countries like France and Spain in the initial leg of touring the album in June, and featured at Graspop in Belgium for the first time too. On their return to South Africa they embarked on their first ever arena tour of the country with 3 sold out dates at The Teatro, Montecasino, and their first appearance at the Grand Arena, Grand West. The first single from the album, "Gone" was released 21 May 2014. The song received critical acclaim with its rock/hip hop styling, receiving airplay on stations previously the preserve of more urban sounds and topping radio charts across South Africa. The second single, Doors, was released on 21 August 2014 immediately entering the charts on numerous radio stations. On 6 October 2014, the band returned to Europe for a month-long tour including Germany, Austria, Belgium, United Kingdom and for the first time, Italy.

Keep Marching On (2017)

Prime Circle in association with RADA Unearthed, presented Keep Marching On.

If You Don't You Never Will (2017)

The band released their seventh studio album entitled If You Don't You Never Will on 22 September under their own label Prime Records. The band took the album on the road, making their first stop in Australia before proceeding to Europe on the Head in The Clouds Tour. The tour continued in South Africa December 2017 into 2018 then continuing back to Europe February. They achieved number 1 with their first single "The Gift" in November 2017, then hit a second number 1 with their second single "Pretty Like The Sun".

Live World (2019)

Live World is Prime Circle's eighth album release which captures 25 live recordings done in several countries around the world over several years.

Better Days (2024)

Better days is Prime Circle’s first single off their highly anticipated upcoming Album, The World We Know

What We Got (2024)

What We Got is Prime Circle’s Second single off their highly anticipated upcoming Album, The World We Know

Concert tours

2007: Dubai Desert Rock Festival, Dubai.
      Headliners for Dubai Desert Rock Festival included the likes of Iron Maiden, Stone Sour, In Flames, Incubus, Prodigy, The Bravery and more.

2010: Rock 'n India, India.

2011: Reload Festival , Germany.
      Headliners ranged from
Dropkick Murphys, Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, Guano Apes, Puddle of Mudd and more.

2012: Homelandz Festival , UK.

2014: Graspop Metal Meeting, Belgium.
      Played on the main stage alongside headliners Black Sabbath, Carcass and Napalm Death.

2016: Stage was shared with the likes of Rammstein, Slayer, Anthrax, Babymetal, Iggy Pop, Biffy Clyro, Monster Truck, Nightwish, Shinedown, and Iron Maiden.

2017: O2 Academy Islington, London.

2017: Snow Tunes Festival , Australia.

Awards and nominations

YearOrganisationAwardNominatedResult
2005Johannesburg Choice AwardJohannesburg Choice AwardPrime CircleWon
FHMFHM AwardsPrime CircleWon
2009SAMA AwardsRecord of the Year"She always gets what she wants"Nominated
Best Rock Album – EnglishAll or NothingNominated
2010SAMA AwardsRecord of the Year"Consider Me"Nominated
Best Global Chart Live DVDAll or Nothing LIVE DVDNominated
2011SAMA AwardsRecord of the Year"Breathing"Nominated
Album of the YearJekyll & HydeWon
Best Duo or GroupPrime CircleNominated
Best Rock AlbumJekyll & HydeNominated
Best ProducerTheo Crous: Jekyll & HydeNominated
Best Album PackagingJekyll & HydeNominated
MKInternational Break Through ActPrime CircleWon
2012SAMA AwardsRecord of the Year"Turning in my sleep"Nominated
2013SAMA AwardsBest Rock AlbumEvidenceNominated
Best Video"Evidence"Nominated
Best ProducerTheo Crous: EvidenceNominated
2015Short&Sweet Music Video Awards [27] Best Rock Video"Doors"Won
SAMA Awards [28] Best Rock AlbumLet The Night InNominated
Best Producer of the YearDenholm Harding: Let The Night InNominated
Best EngineerBrendyn Rossouw: Let The Night InNominated
Music Video of the Year"Let The Night In"Won
MTN Africa Music AwardsVideo of the Year"Doors"Won
Best Pop & AlternativePrime CircleNominated [29]
All African Music Awards [30] Best African RockPrime CircleNominated
2018SAMA AwardsBest Rock Album"If you don't you never will"Nominated
Duo/Group of the yearPrime CircleNominated

Band members

Current Members
Past Members

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations, special releases, Live Albums and DVD releases

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A-ha</span> Norwegian synth-pop band

A-ha is a Norwegian synth-pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. Founded by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, Magne Furuholmen, and Morten Harket, the band rose to fame during the mid-1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simple Minds</span> Scottish rock band

Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977, becoming best known internationally for their song "Don't You " (1985), which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Other commercially successful singles include "Promised You a Miracle" (1982), "Glittering Prize" (1982), "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), "Waterfront" (1983), "Alive and Kicking" (1985), "Sanctify Yourself" (1986), "Let There Be Love" (1991), "She's a River" (1995), and the UK number one single "Belfast Child" (1989).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nils Lofgren</span> American rock musician (born 1951)

Nils Hilmer Lofgren is an American rock musician, recording artist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Along with his work as a solo artist, he has been a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band since 1984, a member of Crazy Horse, and founder/frontman of the band Grin. Lofgren was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muse (band)</span> English rock band

Muse are an English rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy Little Thing Called Love</span> 1979 single by Queen

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is a song by the British rock band Queen. Written by Freddie Mercury in 1979, the track is included on their 1980 album The Game, and also appears on the band's compilation album Greatest Hits in 1981. The song peaked at number two in the UK Singles Chart in 1979 and became the group's first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US in 1980, remaining there for four consecutive weeks. It topped the Australian ARIA Charts for seven weeks. It was the band's final single release of the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Within Temptation</span> Dutch symphonic metal band

Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded in April 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. They have been classified by critics as gothic metal and symphonic metal, although each album contains other influences outside these genres. Critics have noticed the band's experimentation and musical versatility. In an interview, den Adel said they fell into a symphonic rock genre with various influences. In another interview, den Adel stated that "We consider ourselves more an atmospheric melodic symphonic metal/rock band... In my opinion, we are not a gothic band but we have gothic elements".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angra (band)</span> Brazilian power metal band

Angra is a Brazilian power metal band formed in 1991. They have released ten regular studio albums, five EPs, and three live CD/DVDs to date. Led by Rafael Bittencourt, the band has gained a degree of popularity in Japan and Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levellers (band)</span> English folk rock band

Levellers are an English folk rock and anarcho-punk band formed in Brighton, England, in 1988, consisting of Mark Chadwick, Jeremy Cunningham, Charlie Heather (drums), Jon Sevink (violin), Simon Friend, Matt Savage (keyboards) and Dan Donnelly. Taking their name from the Levellers political movement, the band released their first EP in 1989 and LP in 1990, with international success following upon signing to China Records and the release of their second album Levelling the Land. The band were among the most popular indie bands in Britain in the early 1990s, and performed at the Glastonbury Festival, first in 1992, then in 1994, where they performed as the headline act on The Pyramid Stage to a record crowd of 300,000 people. They continue to record and tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Mason</span> British singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1946)

David Thomas Mason is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist from Worcester, who first found fame with the rock band Traffic, and went on to play and record with many notable pop and rock musicians, including Paul McCartney, George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Steve Winwood, Fleetwood Mac, Delaney & Bonnie, Leon Russell, and Cass Elliot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seether</span> South African rock band

Seether are a South African rock band founded in 1999 in Pretoria, Gauteng. The band originally performed under the name Saron Gas until 2002, when they moved to the United States and changed it to Seether to avoid confusion with the deadly chemical known as sarin gas. Lead vocalist and guitarist Shaun Morgan is the band's longest serving member, bassist Dale Stewart joined shortly after formation while drummer John Humphrey joined them for the band's second album. Since 2018, the band has been employing second guitarist Corey Lowery. Several notable guitarists like Corey's brother Clint and Troy McLawhorn have toured or recorded with the band, however, Morgan has recorded most guitar parts for the band's records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nothing Else Matters</span> 1992 single by Metallica

"Nothing Else Matters" is a power ballad by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released in 1992 as the third single from their self-titled fifth studio album, Metallica. The song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, number 6 on the UK Singles Chart, number 1 in Denmark, and reached the top ten on many other European charts. Recognized as one of Metallica's best known and most popular songs, it has become a staple in live performances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blaze Bayley</span> English singer

Blaze Bayley is an English heavy metal singer. He was the lead singer of Wolfsbane from 1984 to 1994. He was also the lead singer of Iron Maiden from 1994 to 1999. Since then, he has pursued a solo career and has released eleven studio albums. Blaze was voted number 67 in Sweden Rock magazine's top 100 singers of all time.

"Love of My Life" is a song by the British rock band Queen from their 1975 album A Night at the Opera. The song is a sentimental ballad, notably featuring a harp played by Brian May.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Price</span> Musical artist

Rick Allan Price is an Australian singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. His debut album, Heaven Knows, was released in July 1992, and peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Albums Chart. It provided two top ten singles, "Not a Day Goes By" and the title track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schandmaul</span> German medieval folk rock band

Schandmaul is a German medieval folk rock band from the Munich area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milow</span> Belgian musician

Jonathan Ivo Gilles Vandenbroeck, known professionally as Milow, is a Belgian singer-songwriter. Milow released his debut album, The Bigger Picture, in 2006 on his own label Homerun Records. The fourth single from that album, "You Don't Know," became one of the biggest hit singles of the year in Belgium in 2007, and The Bigger Picture stayed on the Belgian album chart for 110 weeks. However, it was not until his second self-released album Coming of Age in 2008, that Milow achieved major commercial success all over mainland Europe. The album peaked at number three on the German Album Top 50 chart, at number four in the Swiss Album Top 100, and peaked in the top twenty of many European charts. The album reached platinum in Germany and Switzerland, it reached gold in France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, and it sold over 500,000 copies in mainland Europe and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mission (band)</span> English gothic rock band

The Mission are an English gothic rock band formed in 1986. Initially known as the Sisterhood, the band was started by frontman Wayne Hussey and bassist Craig Adams, soon adding drummer Mick Brown and guitarist Simon Hinkler. Aside from Hussey, the lineup has changed several times during the years and the band has been on hiatus twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like a Storm</span> New Zealand rock band

Like a Storm is a band from Auckland, New Zealand, best known for combining heavy baritone guitar riffs and hard rock songs with didgeridoo. They are the highest charting New Zealand hard rock band in American radio history. Both of their two studio albums, "The End of the Beginning" and "Awaken the Fire", debuted in the Billboard 200. Like a Storm have toured North America extensively as a headline act and have shared American and European stages with Godsmack, Alter Bridge, Gojira, Korn, Shinedown, Three Days Grace, Sevendust, Black Stone Cherry, Steel Panther, and Hellyeah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coast (folk rock band)</span> Scottish rock group

Coast is a Scottish rock group, based in Oban, UK. Coast's members are Paul Eastham, Chris Barnes (percussion) and Finlay Wells (guitars).

<i>Evidence</i> (Prime Circle album) 2012 studio album by Prime Circle

Evidence is the fifth studio album by South African rock band Prime Circle. It was released 12 November 2012. The album was licensed through EMI Music South Africa for that country. Internationally other specialised labels were selected to distribute the album. It is the follow-up to the album Jekyll & Hyde (2010). The album was recorded in Cape Town, South Africa between the months of February and June 2012. Evidence was officially announced in June 2012 via the band's official Facebook page and website.

References

  1. 1 2 "Prime Circle still getting around to writing new albums and touring | IOL Entertainment" . Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  2. "Prime Circle takes 'Pretty like the sun' on the road – Transafricaradio". Transafricaradio. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  3. 1 2 "David Gresham Record Company | The Rock Riff". therockriff.wordpress.com. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  4. "Prime Circle flying high | IOL Entertainment" . Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  5. "Prime Circle invests in dot2: South Africa's famous rock band fell in love with MA's console". DWR Distribution | Stage Lighting Equipment. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  6. "ROCK IM REVIER – TAG 1: PRIME CIRCLE, POWERWOLF, GARBAGE, MANDO DIAO – metal-heads.de". metal-heads.de (in German). 27 May 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  7. apesmetal.com, Manuel Miksche -. "Prime Circle played the Olympiastadion at Rockavaria 2016 in Munich – APES METAL". www.apesmetal.com. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  8. "Rock in Vienna 2016". Festicket. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  9. "Prime Circle brings new album to PE". News24. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  10. "Programm | Prime Circle (ZAF) | LOGO Hamburg – Rock'n'Roll since 1974". www.logohamburg.de. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  11. UEFA.com. "Where and when: UEFA Champions Festival in Milan". UEFA.com. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  12. "Metal-heads.de im Interview mit Ross Learmonth von PRIME CIRCLE – metal-heads.de". metal-heads.de (in German). 31 May 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  13. Zeitung, Taunus. "Rock auf der Burg in Königstein: Sturm auf die Festival-Festung | Taunus Zeitung" (in German). Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  14. Knop, Michelle (18 August 2016). "Partywochenende in der Hamelner Altstadt – Pflasterfest 2016". neue Woche (in German). Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  15. "Prime Circle is ready to rock! | IOL Entertainment" . Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  16. 1 2 George Herald Newspaper . Retrieved on 12 June 2013
  17. Pe Express Newspaper . Retrieved on 12 June 2013
  18. Bands.co.za "PRIME CIRCLE - Rock Band - Johannesburg - Quotes and Bookings". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2016.. Retrieved on 12 June 2013
  19. Media24 News website . Retrieved on 12 June 2013
  20. Media24 News website . Retrieved on 12 June 2013
  21. MIO news website . Retrieved on 12 June 2013
  22. Eventful Website . Retrieved on 12 June 2013
  23. Radio & Music . Retrieved on 12 June 2013
  24. MIO News Website . Retrieved on 12 June 2013
  25. Music Review website . Retrieved on 12 June 2013
  26. Rolling Stone . Retrieved on 12 June 2013
  27. Short & Sweet "www.shortandsweetMVA.tv | Short & Sweet". Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.. Retrieved on 2 April 2015
  28. SAMA 21 Nominees . Retrieved on 2 April 2015
  29. MAMA 2015 Nominees "MAMA 2015 - #MTVMAMA2015 Nominees Announced!". Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.. Retrieved on 12 June 2015
  30. Afrima 2015 Nominees "Best African Rock". Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.. Retrieved 2 October 2015