Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Formed in 1972 in Basel, Switzerland - Disbanded in 1980
Coming from the NW Switzerland city of Basel, on the language border between the Alemanics and the Romands, this unusual quartet of musicians has a strange line-up.
Hauser is one of the better percussionists (still playing but in jazz bands nowadays), and bassist Cerletti (the only non-Alemanic in the band) is certainly excellent and plays acoustic guitar. The other two, Frei and Grieder, share the wind instruments with the vocals. That's it! No KB and almost no electric guitars, at least on the first two albums. They had started with keyboardist Stephan Amman in their line-up, but he left before their first S/T recorded album. An album which developed a raunchy progressive rock somewhat similar to VDGG, AUDIENCE or GNIDROLOG. Their second album "Movin' On" is certainly a couple of notches above, and not just in terms of production composing values, but the sidelong eponymous suite is a major tour de force.
Their original member Stephan Amman returned for their third album, "Fearless, Tearless And Even Less" and the results are convincing, even if the songwriting is not quite as excellent. They also found time to release a live album with an extended line-up, but this changed the usual band sonics.
This group is one of the real gems still unknown to most progheads, developing a fusion between classical and rock much like early MANEIGE did, but also includes some influences from VDGG (mostly the sax but sometimes also the singing) and also KING CRIMSON to a lesser extent. Please also check the ensuing project called BLUE MOTION, where a lot of the band is present.
For decades, CIRCUS recorded legacy remained un-reissued (other than pirate labels), because of one of the band member (undisclosed reasons). But in later years, the Japanese labels Big Pink, Belle Antique and now the Polish Chickasic have reissued their catalogue, sometimes with bonus tracks.
Discography
Albums
- Circus (1976)
- Movin' On (1977)
- Fearless Tearless And Even Less (1980)
Live
- Circus All Star Band – Live (1978)
Singles & EPs
- The Night Step / Overture (1980)
Compilations
- The Remasters 2021 – Toronto NYC Istanbul (2024)
Movin' On (1977)
Tracklist
- 1. The Bandsman
- 2. Laughter Lane
- 3. Loveless Time
- 4. Dawn
- 5. Movin' On
Credits
- Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Vocals – Marco Cerletti
-Acoustic Guitar, Tenor Saxophone – Roland Frei
- Arranged By [Technician] – Circus
- Design [Cover] – Christian Hügin
- Drums – Fritz Hauser
- Engineer – E. Merz, Peter J. MacTaggart
- Flute, Alto Saxophone, Tambourine, Vocals – Andreas Grieder
- Percussion – Fritz Hauser
- Photography – Stefan Wenger
- Producer, Composed By, Arranged By, Performer, Management – Circus
Notes
Recorded at Sinus Studio, Berne, May 77
ALL songs composed, arranged, performers and produced by CIRCUS.
Thanks to Rainer
Source
- discogs.com/artist/1315128-Circus-8
- discogs.com/artist/1315128-Circus-8
This video didnt upload for monetization. If you think this video violates the law of copyright please contact with me through email instead of contact with YouTube.
Formed in 1972 in Basel, Switzerland - Disbanded in 1980
Coming from the NW Switzerland city of Basel, on the language border between the Alemanics and the Romands, this unusual quartet of musicians has a strange line-up.
Hauser is one of the better percussionists (still playing but in jazz bands nowadays), and bassist Cerletti (the only non-Alemanic in the band) is certainly excellent and plays acoustic guitar. The other two, Frei and Grieder, share the wind instruments with the vocals. That's it! No KB and almost no electric guitars, at least on the first two albums. They had started with keyboardist Stephan Amman in their line-up, but he left before their first S/T recorded album. An album which developed a raunchy progressive rock somewhat similar to VDGG, AUDIENCE or GNIDROLOG. Their second album "Movin' On" is certainly a couple of notches above, and not just in terms of production composing values, but the sidelong eponymous suite is a major tour de force.
Their original member Stephan Amman returned for their third album, "Fearless, Tearless And Even Less" and the results are convincing, even if the songwriting is not quite as excellent. They also found time to release a live album with an extended line-up, but this changed the usual band sonics.
This group is one of the real gems still unknown to most progheads, developing a fusion between classical and rock much like early MANEIGE did, but also includes some influences from VDGG (mostly the sax but sometimes also the singing) and also KING CRIMSON to a lesser extent. Please also check the ensuing project called BLUE MOTION, where a lot of the band is present.
For decades, CIRCUS recorded legacy remained un-reissued (other than pirate labels), because of one of the band member (undisclosed reasons). But in later years, the Japanese labels Big Pink, Belle Antique and now the Polish Chickasic have reissued their catalogue, sometimes with bonus tracks.
Discography
Albums
- Circus (1976)
- Movin' On (1977)
- Fearless Tearless And Even Less (1980)
Live
- Circus All Star Band – Live (1978)
Singles & EPs
- The Night Step / Overture (1980)
Compilations
- The Remasters 2021 – Toronto NYC Istanbul (2024)
Movin' On (1977)
Tracklist
- 1. The Bandsman
- 2. Laughter Lane
- 3. Loveless Time
- 4. Dawn
- 5. Movin' On
Credits
- Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Vocals – Marco Cerletti
-Acoustic Guitar, Tenor Saxophone – Roland Frei
- Arranged By [Technician] – Circus
- Design [Cover] – Christian Hügin
- Drums – Fritz Hauser
- Engineer – E. Merz, Peter J. MacTaggart
- Flute, Alto Saxophone, Tambourine, Vocals – Andreas Grieder
- Percussion – Fritz Hauser
- Photography – Stefan Wenger
- Producer, Composed By, Arranged By, Performer, Management – Circus
Notes
Recorded at Sinus Studio, Berne, May 77
ALL songs composed, arranged, performers and produced by CIRCUS.
Thanks to Rainer
Source
- discogs.com/artist/1315128-Circus-8
- discogs.com/artist/1315128-Circus-8
This video didnt upload for monetization. If you think this video violates the law of copyright please contact with me through email instead of contact with YouTube.
