In 2014, Circa Zero released their first album, "Circus Hero". But will it be their only release? What has happened to this promising rock duo?
Released in March 2014, Circa Zero's debut album Circus Hero was certainly one of my most anticipated albums of the year. As a lifelong fan of Andy Summers and The Police, I couldn't wait to hear what this new duo of musicians would produce.
What did I think of the album? You can read my full review at Spacial Anomaly:
Introducing the band
Circa Zero came together as Andy Summers was looking for new projects and collaborators to work with after the conclusion of The Police's 2007-2008 Reunion Tour. A mutual friend invited Summers to see a performance by Rob Giles' band The Rescues, and he was immediately impressed by what he saw, particularly Giles' vocals and instrumental skills.
The two began jamming together and realized they might be on to something good. As the Rescues were on the verge of separating, Summers invited Giles to form a new band together, and after working with several other drummers ended up deciding on Montreal-based drummer Emmanuelle Caplette. (Emamanuelle would, however, eventually leave the band to return to Canada, not wanting to relocate or spend so much time in California.)
Their first public concert took place on July 25, 2013 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. It was well received and got many excited to hear more, as they got back to the studio to finish working on their debut album which was released in March of the following year.
You can read more about the band and how they came together in a 2013 Guitar World interview with Andy.
How their name came about
According to an article on the AntiMusic website, the name reflects "a new beginning or fresh start" ...the band had no "definitive musical agenda in mind but instead, following their muse".
Is Circa Zero alive or dead?
That's the questions many have been asking, as after the spring of 2014 news of the band and any performance announcements dried up completely. In a discussion thread at Stewart Copeland's website (where many Andy fans also communicate), it seemed that problems within the band and management may have put the project on the backburner, if not completely killed it. ("Is Circa Zero dead?")
Personally I definitely think the lack of a drummer that really fit the band was a problem. When Emmanuel left, her replacement just had too heavy and clunky a sound, in my opinion, and there simply can't be a weak link in a rock trio if it's going to succeed.
Andy now seems much more busy, in early 2015, promoting the wide release of his 2012 film "Can't Stand Losing You: Surviving The Police". Rob Giles released a solo EP and has performed again with The Rescues, according to his Facebook page. So perhaps Circa Zero was simply not meant to last past one album? A shame, because although I did not think their first album was perfect it definitely showed a lot of promise and I'd hoped to see how the project could evolve with time.
For more information on the band...
The band's official website. Sign up there for their mailing list.
Official Facebook page for the band, where you can chat with other fans and share your thoughts on their music.
The band's Twitter stream.
Website for the guitarist Andy Summers.
Rob Giles Official Site
Website for singer/songwriter Rob Giles.
Official website for Rob Giles' band The Rescues
Fan-run website for The Police, which will include pages and content about Circa Zero as more information is available.
Links from around the web
Circa Zero Featuring Andy Summers and Rob Giles Debut Show At The El Rey
Review of the band's debut performance in Los Angeles.
The Police's Andy Summers Goes Back to Basics With Circa Zero
August 2013 interview with the band, from the Rolling Stone magazine website.
Exclusive: Andy Summers’ Circa Zero Aims To Create ‘Very Fresh Classic Rock’
March 2014 interview with Andy Summers for the Ultimate Classic Rock website.
Glide Magazine Interview: Andy Summers – The Police to Circa Zero
March 22, 2014 interview with Andy on the eve of the "Circus Hero" release.
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