Circus of Power

Circus of Power
Origin	New York City, New York
Genres	Hard rock Heavy metal Glam metal Sleaze rock
Years active	1986 - 1995
Labels	RCA Records Columbia Records
Past members
Alex Mitchell Ricky Mahler Ryan Maher Gary Sunshine Marc Frappier Ian Astbury Craymore Stevens Victor Indrizzo Zowie

Circus of Power was a rock band from New York City.

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 Mahler 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.

Past members

• Alex Mitchell - Vocals
• Ricky Mahler - Lead Guitar
• Gary Sunshine - Rhythm Guitar
• Marc Frappier - Bass Guitar
• Craymore Stevens - Bass Guitar
• Ryan Maher - Drums
• Ian Astbury - Vocals
• Victor Indrizzo - Drums
• Zowie - Bass Guitar

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".

References

1. ^ Black Sabbath Tour Date Archives
2. ^ Alex Mitchell Interview Jan. 24, 2007
3. ^ CircusofPower.net Page December 1, 2008