Chris Lynch-keys, violin, mandolin, vocals......
Jason (Paco) Felten-bass, upright bass, synthesizer, percussion......
Micah Ofstedahl-guitar......
Chanda Cummings-drums, vocals, engineer......
(Camel Toe = band-aid)
Influences
Three ring circus’ (no nets), empty spaces, Ken Wilber, Byron street, Mary Magdalen, 2012, outer-spaces, eternity, Bill Hicks, Quetzalcoatl, inner-spaces, nuclear warfare, frogs, Alex Grey, dirty socks, green grass, Terrance Flanigan (AKA D-Rail), Red Dog, mullets, compost, Minnesota, GMO’s, clowns, Albert Hofmann, plastic coconuts, and last but not least, TURTLE SNAPS!
Sounds Like
Take some space, plastic coconuts, GMO's, nukes, and some dirty funkin socks, roll them up in a burrito and you might get a taste of the Byron Space Circus. Instrumental space music layered with dark overtones and generous doses of funk. The heart of the music is rooted in improvisational-experimental jams which are always changing- a constant evolution of live sound and energy. Much of the grooves are suited for getting down...people should be warned to strap on their dancing shoes, wear some funky threads, and bring their kaliedoscopes because it's going to be a cosmicspacefunk party!
****************************************************************** Or as Paul Davis from the Metro Santa Cruz describes, "Santa Cruz has long been a hot spot for the psychrock revival, but this year may turn out to be the town's most prolific head trip era since the Summer of Love. Locals Byron Space Circus are appropriately far-out, but reach for some unlikely sources among the pack of neopsychedelic rockers. Instead of drawing from the tapped out Syd Barrett/Pink Floyd well, Byron Space Circus reach back to psychedelia's more soulful side, trading in space jams that are reminiscent of fusion era Miles Davis, early Stevie Wonder and Funkadelic. It's high time that the psych revivalists rediscovered George Clinton's dictum to "free your mind and your ass will follow," and Byron Space Circus is ready to provide the soundtrack."
Three guys from Minnesota who’ve known eachother since they were in diapers have been playing music together for almost as long. After several years and almost as many drummers later they found their match… in California… on Craigslist. She fit right in.
Micah Ofstedal(guitar), Jason Felten(bass) and Chris Lynch(keys,violin,mandolin,vocals) have leveraged off their childhood friendship and countless performances in Minnesota to forge a truly collaborative musical endeavor. Knowing each other so well for so long has proven to be an integral part of creating their music, defining their sound and refining their stage presence. Since their move to the west coast and teaming up with Chanda Cummings(drums,vocals) Byron Space Circus has steadied themselves on a path encompassing a dedicated pursuit toward their highest musical and artistic pursuits, individually as well as collectively.
The music of BSC creates an experience full of energy for a wide variety of audiences to absorb on many levels. Blending well thought compositions with a mix of funk grooves, gritty psychedelia and spacious ambient sounds as well as employing a wide array of vintage gear and modern technology has created an eclectic and distinctive sound.
To add to the experience BSC has branched out to become a whole other entity. Upright bass, fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar and a minimalist drum kit round out this alter ego rendition. Though not a bluegrass thing, homage is paid and BSC’s version of a 2 step is keenly delivered to a wanting audience. Adapting their electric compositions as well as writing material specific to the acoustic configuration continues to grow the band.
With more and more out of town touring gigs accumulating, a loyal fan base is steadily growing from Minnesota to California and beyond. As a result BSC’s performances have developed to that of creating a loose atmosphere full of amusement and playfulness while also pursuing a genuinely transformational experience for themselves and their audience. Often a BSC show will include costumes, light show and visual projection. Many senses are at work during their lively and memorable shows.
Currently the Byron Space Circus is finalizing their debut full length electric and acoustic studio album with a projected release date in October 2008.
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hey! thinking of you guys & planning on catching a show soon. jesse's already in santa rosa & I'll be there soon. we'll have to have a little reunion celebration! lots of love!
Dave will be suiting up. I'll give you guys a call when I know the times, but we are coming over early a.m. saturday, but his bus leaves right after the game. My parents are in Minnesota visiting, so we'll have my little sis, and will probably have to head back to fresno that night...dogs to take care of as well. I'll let you know the details tomorrow, (friday,) when dave calls me. Hope you're doing well.
Hey guys! I am coming to San Jose Saturday for the day to hang out with my brother. He is there for a hockey game friday and saturday night. Just wondering if you guys wanted to come. let me know.
Loved the "Good Times" article, especially the pic! Way to go guys! I thought they described you perfectly- strange, bipolar, and funky... Lovies and Missies!
great seeing you all the other night (bowling alley show) you guys continue to improve and impress, great show. looking forward to the new albums,electric and acoustic, its all good. congrats on the goodtimes article, dont forget about us when your all big and famous.
kudos to the gig with the hackensaw boys! they have been my soul rockers lately, besides you guys of course.....hope portland is in the plans for fall!
OMG!! I cant believe the BSC added me as a Myspace friend! I will forever keep you in my top friends! BSC4ev! Do you think I could meet the guitar player?
um are you playin a show on the warf??? I did not see it posted. Also TRUCKEE is waiting for some kick ass band to come rock the town??? Hello??? anybody like the mountains, the fresh water, rafting, and byron space groupies??? I DO!!! ok lets make it happen.
Greetings from the northeast just saying whats up ? glad i could kick it with you all while i was in town. hope your all good, hope to see yall soon. captain....well you know
umm, aaa, for some odd reason that sounds like a bad idea. but in all reality, hell ya i do. i'm 0 for 1 so far and therefore this is one feat still needing to be checked off the old list.
Squinch! Just talked to the parentals and let me paraphrase: " A John Patrick Lynch was apprehended intoxicated climbing the water tower by Westcott field... Isn't that Jack?" Any relation? HA HA HA. Bro I laughed my ass off. Keep in touch guys.
