"The Keyboard player and guitarist remind me of what ANT and DEC would be like if they played instruments." Mike (April 07)
Influences
Our influences range far and wide, and we couldn't possibly list the lot. It would be enough to say, between us, we've listened to pretty much every style of music from blues to punk, techno to acoustic, ska to classical... i think that covers pretty much everything!
At the end of the day, our motto is... everything deserves listening to at least once!
Sounds Like
Between the three bands, we perform all types of music so there's always something there for everyone.
As The Electric Circus, we perform tracks from artists including;
Genesis
Elton John
Billy Joel
Andrew Gold
Toto
Keith Urban
Supertramp
The Police
The Automatic
The Feeling
Peter Gabriel
Scissor Sisters
Bryan Adams
Steely Dan
Thin Lizzy
ACDC
Rolling Stones
Steve Millar Band
Kaiser Chiefs
Joe Walsh
Robbie Williams
Journey
Take That
Roxy Music
Boomtown Rats
Steve Harley
Rod Stewart
Be Bop Deluxe
McFly
As Simon & Ian, as well as performing our own songs, we perform our own acoustic versions of tracks from artists including;
Sting
John Mayer
Snow Patrol
Goo Goo Dolls
Bad Company
Free
Bon Jovi
Coldplay
Dave Matthews
Thin Lizzy
The Police
Keith Urban
Nizlopi
Toto
Journey
Eric Clapton
Damian Rice
Elton John
The Jam
Proclaimers As well as attempting most requests... at least once!
As Bier Fahrt, we perform most of the above and a lot lot more, but with a more 'rocky' feel.
The Electric Group was formed in August 2006 by Ian and Simon. We were, at this point, already performing acoustic gigs throughout the country when we decided to create a total solution to live music.
We formed two bands, a PA & Lighting hire company, a Photography & Artwork company , and of course the Acoustic Duo. The two bands are Bier Fahrt and The Electric Circus. The Electric Circus is a function band that perform for clubs, functions, weddings, parties etc, and Bier Fahrt was designed for festivals and pubs where we could have fun and ultimately a break from the stricter function band.
As for the photography and artwork company (Dodgy1), this stems from Ian’s graphic art training and a great interest in graphic-photography. All of the artwork and photography included on this site have been produced by Ian (with the exception of the fans photos). You can visit Dodgy1 Photography by clicking the following link:
For the majority, the gigs performed will be as The Electric Circus, although you will see in the gig listings that there are also gigs to be performed by Bier Fahrt, and the Acoustic Duo – Simon & Ian (original name I know!)
More about the Electric Circus…
The idea for this band was conceived on a murky summer’s evening in a beer garden. We wanted to create not just a band, but a show that included some of the North East’s top musicians within an extra-ordinarily sized bubble of talent. First and foremost we wanted to create a show that incorporated the best of yesteryear and modern material, yet play music that not many bands would attempt without the aid of tracks.
So after going through a substantial amount of alcoholic beverages and bickering, we knew who we wanted to play, what we wanted to play, and who we waned to play it to!
On our far and wide travels we went, namely to the phone box, in the hope of completing the multi-million pound signings of our band members. We decided on the name due to the multitude of experiences we’ve had as individuals, and we couldn’t think of anything better at the time!
So to the band…
Simon Stephenson… the vocalist in the band and player of all strings six. He started his playing career at the tender age of 4 playing the tennis racket in front of his mam’s mirror, when suddenly heard the subtle tones of Clapton. From this point on his mission in life was to be the greatest guitarist in his bedroom. He plucked and plucked until he couldn’t pluck any more, then suddenly he got it…and the rest is history. In his vast playing experience in both original bands and touring, he has toured with, among others, Reef, Shed 7, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, the Zutons etc. Whilst in local rock band Carma, and has played on demo tracks for artists such as Ronan Keating.
Ian Winter (aka Dodgy)… the other vocalist in the band and Bontempi master. Ian started his playing career like Simon, the difference being Ian was more interested in the light trails of the keyboards! Coming from a background of Jean Michel Jarre and most things electronic, Ian has played the keyboards for around 27 years starting at the youthful age of two, and has played in bands from the tender age of 11. Playing musical styles from Pop to Rock, and Punk to Blues throughout his musical travels. As well as playing for some of the North East’s top acts including Deek the Juice, Alexander’s Palace, Dee Dowling Band etc... he has toured Europe, the Middle-East and his back garden with various high profile artists.
Kenny (Jobba) Jobson… the third vocalist and bassist. Kenny is another local lad. Kenny is the type of bass player that you can always rely upon to give his best, and on the big gigs, a full 80%! Kenny has worked with a multitude of artists and local bands though out the UK and Europe. When Kenny was a kid, back in the day when Bass guitars had four strings, and a complicated bass line meant bum-bum…bum on root and fifth, Kenny was always looking to bring new meaning to the world of the bass. He can now play root, fifth, third and when required 7ths! Kenny is a genius on the bass and is also a very talented singer… just how does he hit those high notes???
Guppon... the time piece at the back. Guppon hails from Cramlington and has been playing the drums for over 20 years. His skills were passed on from his dad who still seems to be passing on sticks when Gupps decides to raid the 'stick' bank! Guppon has been with us since May 2008 and has settled into the Circus life very easily, or should that be very relaxed! Guppon managed to fit 125,000,000 hihats into each beat on one night, then we realized it would have been more if he didn't have a burger, a corned beef & onion toastie, and a pint in the other hand!! Here's to Guppon...Ha-rah!
What's up The Electric Circus? Your reflections bring happiness that rends naked glass. A starfish's lifelong hallucinations of gelatin pools and of actuaries floating upon the foam and reciprocal ohm. I keep searching for you between the cushions. Your essence is equal to the beauty of a galaxy. Your sweet voice is like the application of aloe vera upon a sunburnt back. Your layers of absinthe and torsion form concretions of hyper-alimentation. All my thoughts are lost to your graceful gaze? As the bliss slowly rises in my incandescent eluxulator, your mere presence has a euphoric effect upon me. Your eyes are like spheres of crystal water filled with shimmering dreams. The sand runes crossing your divided consciousness do speak of contemptuous monsters being slayed by flying phoenixes. The elves that play in the toasters wash their drum sticks in honey and sing strikingly colored anthems in perfect harmonious pleasure. Entranced by the sweet harmony of your lips, I gaze beyond reason to find the oasis of your brilliant soul.
hey there. just mel here. was going to come and see you guys at the cleadon club in shields coz it right next to were i live but could not find anyone to go with and i was not going to sit on my own lol. never mind. well i will see ya soon. love mel x x x x x
