Beat Circus

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Beat Circus
Promotional Photo
Promotional Photo
Background information
Origin Flag of the United States Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Genre(s) American Gothic
Experimental rock
Years active 2002–Present
Label(s) Cuneiform Records
Innova Records
Associated acts Alec K. Redfearn & The Eyesores
Ara Anderson
HUMANWINE
Reverend Glasseye
Sxip Shirey
Website Official website
Members
Brian Carpenter
Jordan Voelker
Paul Dilley
Andrew Stern
Ron Caswell
Paran Amirinazari
Gavin McCarthy
Former members
Alec K. Redfearn
Matt McLaren
Brandon Seabrook
Briggan Krauss

Beat Circus is a band formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 2002 by multi-instrumentalist / singer-songwriter Brian Carpenter. Macabre songs of turn-of-the-century Americana are performed within a wide spectrum of musical styles including progressive rock, experimental music, cabaret, circus music, Appalachian string music, bluegrass, Southern Gospel, and funereal music.[1]

Their first studio album Ringleaders Revolt explored contemporary instrumental group improvisation and was released by Innova Records in 2004. In 2006 they began recording their second full-length CD Dreamland, a 150-page through-composed score for nine musicians containing songs loosely based on the turn-of-the-century Coney Island theme park which burned in a devastating fire in 1911. Dreamland was the first installation of Carpenter's Weird American Gothic trilogy and was produced by Martin Bisi and released on Cuneiform Records in January 2008.[2]

In 2007 Carpenter formed the third incarnation of Beat Circus with violist Jordan Voelker, guitarist Andrew Stern, bassist Paul Dilley, tubist Ron Caswell, violinist Paran Amirinazari, and drummer Gavin McCarthy to develop the second part of the afore-mentioned trilogy entitled Boy From Black Mountain.[3]

Contents

[edit] Members

  • Brian Carpenter - vocals, harmonica, trumpet, harmonium, compositions
  • Jordan Voelker - viola, vocals
  • Paran Amirinazari - violin, vocals
  • Paul Dilley - contrabass, acoustic guitar
  • Andrew Stern - tenor banjo, guitar
  • Ron Caswell - tuba
  • Gavin McCarthy - drums

[edit] Former Members

  • Alec K. Redfearn - accordion, jawharp, vocals
  • Matt McLaren - drums
  • Brandon Seabrook - tenor banjo
  • Briggan Krauss - alto, baritone saxophone

[edit] Discography

  • Ringleaders Revolt (Innova Records, 2004)
  • Dreamland (Cuneiform Records, 2008)

[edit] Related Projects

  • Brian Carpenter's Ghost Train Orchestra (Carpenter, Seabrook, Caswell; 2005-present)
  • Alec K. Redfearn & The Eyesores (Redfearn, McLaren; 1998-present)
  • HUMANWINE (Carpenter, Dilley; 2005-present)
  • Reverend Glasseye (Dilley; 2001-present)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Harrell, Scott. "When The Circus Comes", Creative Loafing, 2005-5-12. Retrieved on 2005-05-12. 
  2. ^ Mason, Stewart. "link Dreamland", All Music Guide, 2008-3-1. Retrieved on 2008-03-01. 
  3. ^ Sullivan, Jim. "Notes on Beat Circus", Boston Phoenix, 2008-1-11. Retrieved on 2008-01-12.