CIRCUS OF POWER Frontman Begins Work On New Record

CircusOfPower.net recently conducted an interview with CIRCUS OF POWER frontman Alex Mitchell. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

CircusOfPower.net: Alex, I would like to start by saying the Don Hill's show [in New York City] in September was way beyond my expectations. The band sounded fantastic and the crowd was alive and well and really had the joint rockin'. Were you surprised at all how much energy there was for CIRCUS OF POWER after a 13-year absence?

Alex: No. I think we're much better now than we used to be. It's unusual for that to happen; most bands get lamer as they get older. I admire bands, singers, actors, athletes, anyone that does it to death. John Lee Hooker playing when he like, 86 or something? And still with the silk suits on, amazing, that's the shit. Of course the crowd helped tremendously, they made me want to cry they were so cool.

CircusOfPower.net: O.K., let's get down to CIRCUS OF POWER in 2007. Rumour has it you have been writing for a new CIRCUS OF POWER record. Is there any truth to that and how is it going?

Alex: Yeah, I actually started writing for a new CIRCUS album awhile back. I finally gave up waiting for Rick or Gary to help me write. I have about nine or ten songs already that I've written with different people — I could care less where the songs come from, as long as they are good. Same with who plays on the record — I only want people playing on it that are dying to play on it, that will kill for it. For a long time people have been saying to me, "Al, you should do a circus record, even if those guys don't want to do it." but I was hesitant to do it. Now I could give a fuck. I'd rather have the original guys do it, but I'm tired of trying to get blood from a stone. I'm excited to get the ball rolling, can't wait to record.

CircusOfPower.net: Are Ricky, Ryan and Marc involved at this point?

Alex: At this point in the writing, no. Will they play on the album, up to them. The thing is, these guys I'm writing with, they call me every day, email me, offering up ideas, can I do this, can I do that, what can I do to make this song better...that's how a band works, energy and input.

CircusOfPower.net: I thought that [producer] Daniel Rey fit right into the band. I know he has a history with CIRCUS OF POWER, will he be with you guys in the future?

Alex: I thought so, too. Daniel should produce the record. But the thing with him is, unless Rick is involved than he won't want to do it. He replaced Gary in NYC when Gary didn't make the trip. I couldn't understand Gary not going — it was a return to the place where the band was started, where we got signed; my God we had so many good times there, man. I would have driven there in a Volkswagen and slept on someone's floor if I had to, it was very important for me to be there. I thought that Phil from MONSTER MAGNET was good ontage with us, too. The three-guitar army thing was fun and it worked. And the CYCLE SLUTS, God love them. They sang great, looked great, I love those girls.

CircusOfPower.net: What can we expect from the new record?. Will it be a throwback to the style of the first two records or something completely new or a combination of both?

Alex: I'm not intentionally trying to make it sound like either record, but some of the songs sound like they're off the first record, and some of them do sound a little "Vices"-y...but I have to tell you, I still think they're still alot left in the tank — to think that we can't make a record better than the first one is retarded. MOTÖRHEAD would never have made "Iron Fist" if they felt that way after "Ace Of Spades", THE ROLLING STONES with "Sticky Fingers" and then "Exile On Main Street".... the list goes on and on. You have to stay hungry.

CircusOfPower.net: How important is a new record to you?. I always got the feeling that no one in the band particulary cared for "Magic & Madness", for one reason or another. Has it bothered you that "Magic" is where you guys left off?

Alex: It's bothered me for fifteen years, I consider it unfinished business. I like some of the last record but it was spotty. That's okay. All my favorite bands have done shitty records. I buy them anyways, if there's one good song than I'm happy. This record is the most important thing in the world to me, and I'm going to make sure it sounds that way. I'm going to make sure it kills.

Read the entire interview at this location.

(Thanks: Cristobal Lagos)