Circus Devils
Encyclopedia
Circus Devils is an American rock band with experimental/ psychedelic styles founded in 2001 by Robert Pollard
, former lead singer and songwriter of the Dayton, Ohio band Guided by Voices
. Members include Todd Tobias
(music and production), and Tim Tobias (music). Robert Pollard is the band's singer and lyricist.
Circus Devils uses a wide spectrum of musical styles ranging from acid rock to ambient soundscapes, along with stories, eerie moods, humor and rock opera theatrics to create albums rich in atmosphere and imagery.
. 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.
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." .Like this story, their lyrics are often unsettling fictional tales of horror delivered within deconstructed rock operas. 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.
Robert Pollard
Robert Pollard is an American rock musician and singer-songwriter who is the leader and creative force behind indie rock group Guided by Voices, who disbanded in 2004, only to reform in 2010...
, former lead singer and songwriter of the Dayton, Ohio band Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Beginning with the band's formation in 1983, it made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard...
. Members include Todd Tobias
Todd Tobias
Todd Tobias is a record producer and musician/ multi-instrumentalist best known for his work with Robert Pollard and his band Guided by Voices. Other projects include Circus Devils, Clouds Forming Crowns, the Sleeptalkers, The Library is on Fire, the Celebrity Pilots, Kramies, Brian Lisik, Slark...
(music and production), and Tim Tobias (music). Robert Pollard is the band's singer and lyricist.
Circus Devils uses a wide spectrum of musical styles ranging from acid rock to ambient soundscapes, along with stories, eerie moods, humor and rock opera theatrics to create albums rich in atmosphere and imagery.
History
Circus Devils was originally conceived in 2001 as a side project to Robert Pollard's main work with Guided by VoicesGuided by Voices
Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Beginning with the band's formation in 1983, it made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard...
. Beginning with the release of their first album, Ringworm Interiors
Ringworm Interiors
Ringworm Interiors is the debut album from Ohio alternative rock band Circus Devils. Released in 2001, the album is a psychedelic collage of musical vignettes with moods ranging from aggressive and disorienting to haunting and dreamy....
, 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.
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." .Like this story, their lyrics are often unsettling fictional tales of horror delivered within deconstructed rock operas. 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
Sgt. Disco
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...
was released on Mike Patton
Mike Patton
Michael Allan "Mike" Patton is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor, best known as the lead singer of the metal/experimental rock band Faith No More. He has also sung for Mr...
's Ipecac Recordings
Ipecac Recordings
Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,...
record label.
Discography
- Ringworm InteriorsRingworm InteriorsRingworm Interiors is the debut album from Ohio alternative rock band Circus Devils. Released in 2001, the album is a psychedelic collage of musical vignettes with moods ranging from aggressive and disorienting to haunting and dreamy....
(2001) - The Harold Pig MemorialThe Harold Pig MemorialThe Harold Pig Memorial is the second studio album by Ohio alternative rock band 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....
(2002) - Pinball MarsPinball MarsPinball 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...
(2004) - FiveFive (Circus Devils album)FIVE is the curiously titled 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...
(2005) - Sgt. DiscoSgt. DiscoSgt. 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...
(2007) - AtaxiaAtaxia (album title)Ataxia is the sixth studio album released by 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.- Reaction :...
(2008) - GringoGringo (album title)Gringo is the seventh studio album released by the Ohio rock band Circus Devils in 2009. All songs on Gringo were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias...
(2009) - Mother SkinnyMother SkinnyMother Skinny is the eighth studio album released by the Ohio rock band Circus Devils in March, 2010. All songs on Mother Skinny were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias...
(2010) - Capsized!Capsized!Capsized! is the ninth studio album released by the Ohio rock band Circus Devils in October, 2011. All songs on Capsized! were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias....
(2011)
Reviews
- Circus Devils - Ringworm Interiors - Album Review at ALLMUSIC by Bart Bealmear
- Circus Devils - The Harold Pig Memorial - Album Review at ALLMUSIC by Karen E. Graves
- Circus Devils - Pinball Mars - Album Review at ALLMUSIC by Bart Bealmear
- Circus Devils - FIVE - Album Review at COKE MACHINE GLOW by Bryan Roswell (22 June, 2005)
- Circus Devils - Sgt. Disco - Album Review at PITCHFORK by Adam Moerder (12 September, 2007)
- Circus Devils - ATAXIA - Album Review at THE FIRE NOTE (24 September, 2008)
- Circus Devils - Gringo - Album Review at ERASING CLOUDS by Dave Heaton (30 March, 2009)
- Circus Devils - Mother SKinny - Album Review at POPMATTERS by Matthew Fiander (1 April, 2010)
- Circus Devils - Capsized! - Album Review at THE FIRE NOTE by Christopher Anthony (20 October, 2011)
External links
- Official web site
- [ Circus Devils at Allmusic.com]
- Robert Pollard's site
- Todd and Tim Tobias's site