Into a Circle (also as In Two a Circle and In2a0) were an English new wave duo, formed in April 1985 by Paul "Bee" Hampshire and Barry Jepson, two former members of the band Getting the Fear.[2] Jepson had also previously been the bassist for Southern Death Cult from 1981 to 1983.

Into a Circle
OriginEngland
GenresNew wave[1]
Years active1985–1989
LabelsArcadia, Abstract
Past membersPaul "Bee" Hampshire
Barry Jepson

Career

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Into a Circle formed in 1985 after Getting the Fear ended.[3] The band played their first concert at the Croydon Underground in December 1985,[3] coinciding with the release of their first single, "Rise...". The single, issued on the Arcadia label, reached No. 5 in the UK Indie Singles Chart.[2]

For a March 1986 tour of England and Scotland, the band were joined on several dates by Rose McDowall of Strawberry Switchblade.[3]

In July 1986, Into a Circle signed with Abstract Records and released the single "Inside Out", which reached No. 12 in the chart.[3]

Their third single, "Forever" (1987), co-produced by Larry Steinbeck of Bronski Beat, featured McDowall on backing vocals.[3] and reached No. 8 in the chart. It was followed by their debut studio album, Assassins, in summer 1988. The album reached No. 7 in the UK Indie Albums Chart.

Fourth single "Evergreen" was released in March 1988, and reached No. 5 in the chart.[2]

Into a Circle embarked on their final tour in September 1989, with Annie Anxiety joining the line-up on backing vocals.[3]

The band broke up in October 1989.[3] Into a Circle reformed in July 2021.[3]

Later projects

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Hampshire is a member of Thailand-based band Futon, alongside Simon Gilbert (Suede).[4]

Jepson later worked as a concert promoter and currently teaches live sound and tour management at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music.[citation needed]

Discography

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Singles

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  • "Rise..." (1985, Arcadia) UK Indie Singles Chart No. 5
  • "Inside Out" (1986, Abstract) UK Indie No. 12
  • "Forever" (1987, Abstract) UK Indie No. 8
  • "Evergreen" (1988, Abstract) UK Indie No. 5

References

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  1. ^ "INTO a CIRCLE- Cult New Wave Band Announce Return to Music After 33 Years". 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Lazell, Barry (1998) Indie Hits 1980-1989, Cherry Red Books, ISBN 0-95172-069-4, p. 120
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Into A Circle". Thebeenow.com. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  4. ^ "Futon". Thebeenow.com. Retrieved 2019-02-26.