Circus 66 – Interview

UK rockers CIRCUS 66 have just unleashed their fantastic new single and video, Jekyll Or Hyde – https://youtu.be/v4IZ0tppiKc . The track is taken from their forthcoming debut album, Follow The Black Crow, out later this year. We grilled the band about their background and more:

What is the full band line-up, who sings and who plays which instrument?

Annabelle Zaychenko (Vocals), Matt Pearce (Guitars), Luke Ward (Bass) and Leigh Holley (Drums) How and when did the band form? Tell us anything interesting about your hometown. Formed in 2013 by Guitarist Matt at University, later developed in to a 4-piece hailing from Maidenhead. Fun Fact – The Spice Girls in their early days were living in a house in Maidenhead… None of them from the town, but who knew they were living next to Hard-Rockers Circus 66… It now makes sense why Luke adds such great harmonies to the fold… When and how did the band really start gelling and solidifying? Summer 2019 was the one, with festivals under their belt, the new line-up didn’t take long solidifying their filthy rock. With hard work, dedication and one giant sonic merge of influences, it just worked from the get go!

Who are your musical influences?

With all of us coming from VERY different musical backgrounds, the influences are super varied! Influences include: David Bowie, Clutch, Mr Big, Extreme, Incubus, ACDC, The Pretty Reckless, Deftones, Blink-182, Nirvana and The Spice Girls (Obviously).. to name a few.. Where did the name of the band come from? Matt always says it’s a long story… it’s not… purely a combination between the word Circus and 66. The whole “Texan Southern Rock” “Route 66” vibe, certainly influenced the band in the early days and tinges nowadays most definitely remain.

How far back does your history with each other (the band members) extend?

The current line-up has been together as a 4 piece since Jan 2019, so not long at all really. Leigh and Luke were thrown in to learn the songs from “Showtime” the 2018 EP in preparation for shows previously booked. It really hasn’t taken long to gel though. Matt has held the fort, and the torch for Circus 66, Leigh had previously been in fairly successful metal bands, Luke had done a ton of session work and festivals with function bands, Annabelle had a long line of work previously in cover bands so musicianship was fully imprinted from the getgo.

Are you friends from school or any family relations?

Nope. We are a family for sure though… the amount of lovers tiffs we have… but that IS, most definitely, what shapes us!

Where have you played or toured?

Circus 66 haven’t stretched out the UK yet, it’s exciting, it’s new, but it is only just the start. With the album release looming, you’re going to expect an extensive list of weird and wonderful venues when you ask again this time next year! The band have however, supported the likes of The Wild Lies, Sons of Icarus, Tequila Mockingbird, Massive Wagons, Killit & The Dust Coda. Some favourite shows: Crazy Cowboy Festival, Love Rocks Festival, Fiddlers Elbow

In your opinion, how is your band different from all the other bands out there?

Well, we’re definitely not trying to re-create anything.. The standard format of how a song should be written went out the window for us a long time ago, there’s definitely elements of surprise in probably every song we’ve written. The amount of Radio DJs that think our songs end, and then they just don’t… oh it does make us laugh! So I wouldn’t say we conform to the usual rock band, promoters and venues love to get confused when it comes to support acts… we’re heavy, but not really heavy enough to jump on the bill with a metal band… we’re rocky, but most of the time a lot louder than anyone else! #SENDHELP If a deaf person were to ask you to describe the sound of your music, how would you describe it? EASY, in the form of dance. Firstly, we’d set Luke off with his bass robot dance, Leigh would be probably breakdancing naked in the corner, Matt would sit there and try look cool and finally we’d present Annabelle dressed as a unicorn perhaps doing some butt wiggles?

Where can we find your social media sites?

Find out more: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4aEfxAt6JndStAF43oRCGa www.Facebook.com/Circus66

https://www.instagram.com/circus66