(c’67-’69) Alan Bunn (drums), Kirk Riddle (bass / guitar), Phillip Goodhand-Tait (keyboard / vocals), Ian Jelfs (guitar) and Mel Collins (flute / sax).
In September 1967, The Stormsville Shakers renamed, becoming Circus. They released the Mike D’Abo produced single “Gone Are The Songs of Yesterday” on Parlephone Records [R5633] on the 8 September ’67 as Circus, with David Sherrington providing extra sax, followed by a gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford the next day; before a short tour of Northern Ireland and Scotland. The band entered Dick James Studio, London before the month end, recording “Love Was In Her Eyes”, “Where Shall We Go” and “A Day Without Love”. The heavy gig schedule continued including Guildford on 28 October and 23 December at The Stoke Hotel, Guildford and Godalming on 18 December; interrupted only by studio time at EMI Studios, London on 8 and 15 November, laying down “House of Wood” and “Do You Dream”. A few days later on November 22 they were at Romanos, Belfast supporting The Foundations, along with Interns, and Taste.
1968 kicked off with time at R.G. Jones Studio, Morden followed by a relatively light January gig schedule for the band. February continued the same way including a date at Guildford’s Civic Hall on 10 February, and a Melody Maker review. On 8 March the “Do The Dream” single, back by “House of Wood”, again produced by Mike D’Abo, was released on Parlophone Records [R5672] four months after their recording. In March, Circus spent 3 days recording back at R.G Jones, Morden; returning again on 3 April. All the time the steady gigging didn’t stop, with appearances at Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley on 6 April and the Civic Hall, Guildford on 20 April in the mix. April also saw Circus at BBC 7 recording for The John Peel Show to be broadcast the next day, closing out the month with another day at R.G. Jones Studio, where they were again on 19 June and 27 August. Another appearance at the Civic Hall on 6 May featured in the gigging that continued through to early November, as well as Anchor Inn, Godalming on 21 June, and Atalanta Ballroom, Woking on 16 July, supporting The Equals.
During these early years Bob Wiles was one of their roadies and recalls supporting Taste in Belfast. After Circus’ set, the MC, in a thick Irish brogue, introduces the headliners with “Now, here’s our answer – Taste”. According to Wiles they were outstanding! Circus’ “Gone Are the Songs of Yesterday”, written by Goodhand-Tait, came to the attention of The Love Affair and it was chosen as the B-side of their “Everlasting Love” release. The single was a huge success and Goodhand-Tait decided to leave Circus on 1 January ’69 to launch his solo singer/songwriter career, and Jelfs picked up vocals. Circus continue by supporting The Who at a London School of Economics (LSE) Benefit Concert on 23 February ’69, an event rescheduled from 9 February, along with Cat Stevens, Pete Brown’s Battered Ornaments, and Occasional Word Ensemble at The Roundhouse, London; and in April they began a residency at The Marquee, organized by The Marquee’s manager, John Gee.
The Marquee residency saw them supporting Emanon, aka Manfred Mann, on 13 May ’69 and Jon Hiseman’s Colosseum on the 26 May ’69. A few months later they gained representation from The Paragon Agency and the group’s popularity came to the attention of Transatlantic Records who signed the group to the label. Two weeks prior to recording for Tranatlantic drummer Bunn decided to leave and was replaced by ex-Rey Anton and The Pro Form’s Chris Burrows. The new line-up entered Morgan Studios with ex-Nirvana guitarist Ray Singer as producer. On 28 September Circus’ eponymously titled LP was released on Transatlantic Records [TRA 207], having been engineered by Andy Johns.
This LP’s cover had been shot in the early morning at Hayling Island with group member Bunn before he had departed. The bands only album it has subsequently been reissued 10 times. Collins had written “Pleasures of a Lifetime” for the album and requested his father’s participation in the album. Derek Collins, who’d just finished a session with the Top of the Pops Orchestra at the BBC, ended up contributing an uncredited alto flute backing on “Pleasures of a Lifetime”.
Circus retired to a cottage in the country to work on a follow-up. Their debut included a number of covers and the group were expected to produce all original material for the second, and Collins and Jelfs began songwriting. The group spent a couple of days in a studio but the sessions did not pan out.
Collins joined King Crimson in early 1970, leading to the end of the band. Riddle later formed The Train Set and then joined the Jackie Lynton’s Happy Days Band, and Fugitives in the ’90s. He regreatably passed away on the 14 November 2017. Burrows began following Buddhism in ’69 and was ordained as a Zen monk in ’83. He now teaches Buddhism and Zen drumming. Jelfs joined French progressive rock band Alice, then French band’s M.O.T.U.S and Mama Joe’s Connection.
In 2009 Span TV released “When Circus Came to Stormsville 1969”, a collection of recordings made in 1967.
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