Circus Devils is an American art rock band founded in 2001 by

Robert Pollard Robert Ellsworth Pollard Jr. (born October 31, 1957) is an American singer and songwriter who is the leader and creative force behind indie rock group Guided by Voices. In addition to his work with Guided by Voices, he continues to have a prol ...

, best known as the lead singer and songwriter of the Dayton, Ohio, band Guided by Voices. The band consists of Pollard (vocals and lyrics),

Todd Tobias Todd Tobias (born 1967) is an American multi-instrumentalist and record producer, best known for his work with Robert Pollard and his band Guided by Voices. Other projects include Circus Devils, Kramies, The Library Is On Fire, and musical th ...

(music and production), and Tim Tobias (music). Circus Devils employs a wide spectrum of musical styles ranging from acid rock to ambient soundscapes. On the band's web site, the music is described as "garage-prog, or "art rock made by cave men."

History

Circus Devils was originally conceived in 2001 as a side project to Robert Pollard's main work with Guided by Voices. Between 2001 and 2017, the band released fourteen full-length albums. 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, the song 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 Michael Allan Patton (born January 27, 1968) is an American singer, producer, film composer and voice actor, best known as the lead vocalist of the alternative metal band Faith No More. Noted for his vocal proficiency, diverse singing techn ...

Ipecac Recordings 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, ex-lead singer of DUH, ex-employee of Mercury Records) and Mike Patton ( Faith No ...

record label. In 2016, the band announced that their next record would be their final, titled "Laughs Last". Band member and producer

authored a book in 2019 title
''Circus Devils: See You Inside''
published by Tiny Room in The Netherlands.

Discography

Studio albums

* '' Ringworm Interiors'' (2001) * '' The Harold Pig Memorial'' (2002) * ''

Pinball Mars ''Pinball 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. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias Todd Tobias (born 19 ...

'' (2003) * '' Five'' (2005) * '' Sgt. Disco'' (2007) * ''

Ataxia Ataxia is a neurological sign consisting of lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements that can include gait abnormality, speech changes, and abnormalities in eye movements. Ataxia is a clinical manifestation indicating dysfunction of t ...

'' (2008) * ''

Gringo ''Gringo'' (, , ) (masculine) (or ''gringa'' (feminine)) is a term in Spanish and Portuguese for a foreigner, usually an English-speaking Anglo-American. There are differences in meaning depending on region and country. In Latin America, it is ...

'' (2009) * '' Mother Skinny'' (2010) * '' Capsized!'' (2011) * ''When Machines Attack'' (2013) * ''My Mind Has Seen the White Trick'' (2013) * ''Escape'' (2014) * ''Stomping Grounds'' (2015) * ''Laughs Last'' (2017)

Compilations

* ''Laughs Best (The Kids Eat It Up)'' (2017)

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 BealmearCircus Devils - ''Sgt. Disco'' - Album Review at PITCHFORK by Adam Moerder (12 September, 2007)
* ttp://www.erasingclouds.com/wk0309circus.html Circus Devils - ''Gringo'' - Album Review at ERASING CLOUDS by Dave Heaton (30 March, 2009)br>Circus Devils - ''Mother Skinny'' - Album Review at POPMATTERS by Matthew Fiander (1 April, 2010)Circus Devils - ''Capsized!'' - Album Review at POPMATTERS

References

External links

band web site
* Circus Devils at Allmusic.com
Robert Pollard's site

Todd Tobias' site

Interview with band member Todd Tobias
{{Authority control Alternative rock groups from Ohio American art rock groups American psychedelic rock music groups Musical groups established in 2001 American progressive rock groups American experimental rock groups Rock music groups from Ohio Ipecac Recordings artists