The Circles | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Wolverhampton, England |
| Genres | Mod / Rock |
| Years active | (1979-1981) - (1999 - Present) |
| Labels | Graduate Records Vertigo Detour Records |
| Members | Mick Walker Glenn Tranter Tony Howells Martin Ratcliffe Keith Allen Roger Hudson |
The Circles are a band from the West Midlands formed in 1979 by Mick Walker (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Tony Howells (lead guitar/vocals), Glenn Tranter (bass guitar/vocals) and Keith Allen, former drummer with Neon Hearts.
Their first single, Opening Up, was released in 1979 and has become an anthem for the Mod Revival scene. The band signed to Vertigo in 1980 and had success with the single 'Angry Voices'.
Over the years the band has achieved cult status on the Mod Revival scene, their early music being described as "a cross between The Jam, The Clash and The Small Faces". Their musical style has evolved over the years, incorporating elements of rock, soul and tamala motown, driven by Walker's powerful and gritty vocals. Although Mick Walker has been the only constant member of the band, the current line-up features three original members plus Martin Ratcliffe on guitar. Tony Howells sadly passed away in 2019.
Early Years
editThe Circles were formed in 1979 from the ashes of Midlands punk outfit The Injectors. The band were spotted and signed to Graduate Records, released a single 'Opening Up / Billy' which reached No. 3 in the indie charts and over the years has achieved cult status. Both songs have stood the test of time and regularly feature on compilation albums including Mods Mayday 99 and Mod Revival Box Set 'Millions Like us' and are covered by bands old and new to this day. The Circles recorded a number of radio sessions including Radio One’s Mike Reed and John Peel.
Following the success of the debut single the band moved to the Vertigo label who promptly released the second single 'Angry Voices/Summer Nights' in 1980, a football inspired number complete with anthemic chorus and frantic guitar riffs. The single was well received and went on to sell over 20,000 copies, spawning another tour.
The band gigged extensively and played with some great names including UB40, The Tom Robinson band, Phil Daniels and The Alarm. It was during the Angry Voices tour that cracks began to appear within the band and by 1981 they had split.
Mods Mayday 1999
editFast forward to 1999, the 20th anniversary of the Mod Revival, there was renewed interest in The Circles. In March 1999 Detour Records released a live album 'Private World', recorded at Norbrek Castle in Blackpool in 1980 and the comeback was on. The call went out for them to perform at the Mods MayDay reunion gig at The Forum in London on May 2nd alongside fellow Revival bands Secret Affair, The Chords, Purple Hearts and Squire.
The band reformed with original members Mick and Keith joined by Roger Hudson formerly from The Injectors on bass and Martin Ratcliffe from Neon Hearts on guitar. The Circles went down a storm and won a whole new legion of fans who had not been around in 1979.
Such interest spurred the band on to get back in the recording studio and in August 2000 released a CD 'Looking Back' on Detour Records containing new material and some reworked old favourites. Following a few more gigs, The Circles were dormant again but not forgotten.
Japanese Circles
editIn 2012 the band, without Mick Walker, played four gigs in Japan after being approached by promoter Miles Wood, who is based in the Far East and picked up on the band’s popularity.
Mick Walker's The Circles
editIn 2015 Mick Walker reformed the band with Roger Hudson on bass, Mark on Drums They played a number of gigs and recorded a live album 'Full Circle: Live at Cambridge' released on Detour Records in 2018.
Mods Mayday 2019
editIn 2019, their 40th Anniversary year, The Circles recorded a 4 track vinyl EP 'Our Time' of new songs and played a few select gigs including Mods Mayday 2019 at Islington Assembly Hall in May and the August Bank Holiday Mod Festival in Brighton.
Moving forward
editFor 2020 the band have recorded another 12” EP “Gone Tomorrow” and are playing some gigs at the end of the year. The line up continues to be close to the original with Mick Walker, Keith Allen, Glenn Tranter and Martin Ratcliffe.
Discography
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Singles
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EP's
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Albums
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Compilations
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