Alex Mitchell (musician)

Circus of Power is an American hard rock band formed in New York City in 1987. They disbanded in 1995 and reformed in 2014. To date, they have released four studio albums and three EPs.

Overview

With a sound similar to Alice in Chains, AC/DC, the Cult, D-A-D and Guns N' Roses, but with enough of their own distinctive and original style, Circus of Power received significant critical fame, especially in the UK's ''Kerrang!'' music magazine; which featured them on the front cover multiple times and awarded their first two albums five 'K's (the top rating for an album), each.

19871995: First incarnation

The group played in New York for several years until they signed a contract with RCA Records. In July 1987, prior to the release of their debut album, Joey Wrecked quit the band and was replaced by Ryan Maher. The band released their debut album in 1988, to much critical acclaim (within the 'metal' scene) and followed it up, with another well received album in 1990. It was around this time that Gary Sunshine switched to guitar, and Zowie joined as bass guitarist.

On the back of these two albums and strong media support, Circus of Power was as the lone opening band for a complete tour of Black Sabbath in support of their 1990 album '' Tyr''.
By 1991, like many hard rock/heavy metal bands of this period, CoP became casualties (popularity wise) of the burgeoning grunge movement; however the band persevered, recording and releasing their third album ''Magic and Madness'' in 1993. Two years later, they disbanded, ironically, just as grunge phenomenon was starting to die.

Lyrically and visually Circus of Power are heavily influenced by the biker scene and to this day, play at biker events and festivals.

Members have included vocalist Alex Mitchell, guitar players Ricky Mahler and Gary Sunshine, and drummer Ryan Maher. Of these, Mitchell is the only remaining founding member.

Revivals

In 2006, Circus of Power played two 20th-anniversary shows. The first was 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.

In 2008, Circus of Power was offered the opportunity to play two events, neither of which they could attend due to scheduling conflicts.

In December 2008, Mitchell informed circusofpower.net that Rock Candy Records would issue a remastered release of Circus of Power's eponymous debut album. A reunion show was held on June 27, 2009, at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles to promote the reissue and celebrate Club Vodka's seventh anniversary.

After some solo efforts and a few one-off "reunion" gigs, Mitchell added Fat Nancy and Captain Zapped to the lineup. In late 2014, they entered the studio to record fresh material. The new lineup shot a video for the song "Hard Drivin' Sister".

In 2016, the band recorded a new single and video, "American Monster", that featured Jyrki 69 of the 69 Eyes.

Members

Current

* Alex Mitchell – vocals (1986–1995, 2014–present)
* Scotty Slam – drums (2016–present)
* Joe Bondoc – guitar (2016–present)
* Billy Tsounsis – guitar (2014–present)
* John Sharkey – bass (2014–present)
* Joe Truck – guitar (2014–2017, 2020-present)

Former

* Joey Wrecked (Maya) – drums (1986–1987)
* Ricky Mahler – lead guitar (1986–1995)
* Gary Sunshine – bass/rhythm guitar (1986–1995)
* Ryan Maher – drums (1987–1991)
* Zowie Ackermann – bass (1990–1991)
* Marc Frappier – bass (1991–1995)
* Victor Indrizzo – drums (1991–1995)
* Tony Portillo – drums (2014–2015)
* JK Fortyseven – drums (2015–2016)
* Nao Nakashima – (2018–2019)

Discography

Studio albums

EPs and live albums

In popular culture

* "Machine", from the band's 1988 self-titled debut album, was featured in the comedy film ''The 'Burbs'' the following year.
* The band performed "Call of the Wild" and "Letter Home" – which featured Ace Frehley of Kiss on lead guitar – 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". Beavis mistakes the band for Alice in Chains, to which Butt-Head responds that they are not that band yet they sound like them.

References

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Hard rock musical groups from New York (state)
Heavy metal musical groups from New York (state)
Musical groups from New York City