| Martin Circus |
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| Martin Circus |
| In France in the late 1960's the only groups around were those that were recycling hits of the day, cover bands. It was in this atmosphere that a group of dedicated professional musicians came together. Their goal was simple...good original music. The result was the birth of Martin Circus, the year was 1969. With their undeniable musical expertise, their rhythmic intensity and a satirical vision they vow to be larger than just a local French band. The group becomes an immediate success. Their first single, "All Trembling Of Fever" vaults up the charts and makes their debut album, "On Line From The Rock 'N' Roll Circus" a big seller. They perform and many festivals and even log an appearance at the world-renowned Olympia. At the end of 1969, the two singers P. Dietsch and P-J Borowski, as well as drummer J-F Leroy leave the group over musical differences. The guitarist Alain Pewzner and the drummer Rene Guerin from Alan Jack Civilization, and keyboardist Sylvain Pauchard and the guitarist-singer Gerard Blanc from Balthazar join the two remaining original members, bass player Bob Brault and saxophonist Gerard Pisani. The new amd improved line-up records "Acte 2" in late 1970. The album becomes an out and out smash with the record buying public thanks to the hit single "I Burst Myself In Senegal." They are voted the #-1 group in France in 1971 polls. The group scores plenty of radio hits between 1971-1974 but it's real treasure lies in their live performances. They play all the major venues and prime parties at Dutronc, Nougaro and Hallyday. In 1974 they are the stars of the first French rock opera "The French Revolution." The following year they record an all-cover album of early 1960's hits, songs from their childhoods, the album "Recoverys Of Rock 'N' Roll" take the guys in a new direction to critical acclaim. "Marylene" released the same year becomes their biggest hit to date, followed by "Dredgers Party" but the guys are still considered to show their true talent in their live performances. Touring rounds out the next several years for Martin Circus. 100+ dates a year around Europe bringing them back to the Olympia in early 1978. That year producer/director Michel Ardant convinces the guys to do their first film, "Bidasses In Rumble." Though they play themselves in the movie, it still bombed at the box office. However the music created for the soundtrack enabled them to achieve their spot in disco history. "Disco Circus" raced across the globe like fire on a dry plane. Here in America Prelude licensed the tracks and allowed Francois K. to remix them. They wisely released those tracks on a promotional 2-12" package. The result was a top 20 hit for the largely unknown (here in the U.S.) group. As disco music sweeps Europe the guys are caught up in the excitement and further indulge in their disco experiments releasing the album "Shine Baby Shine" in 1980. Another hit, though not on radio, resulted with "I've Got A Treat" climbing most club playlists here in the U.S. A collaboration with Serge Gainsbourg in 1980 brought the hit "U.S.S.R./U.S.A." from their album "Of Coolness." The album with artwork by Mondino brought the guys back to their rock and roll roots but was not an international hit. Between 1982 and 1985 the group soldiers on releasing many tracks that will not scale the charts, they still pack the houses on their live performances and make numerous television appearances to a devoted French audience. As music and tastes change in the mid-1980's new groups pop up and things are altered. Gerard, Sylvain and Alain, who had remained together throught the rough times, decide to pursue other options and different paths that lead them apart. Sylvain and Alain left to join Daniel Balavoine in concert then in the studio. Gerard set about working on his solo debut. The album would take two years to complete and when released in 1987 "Another History" would climbed to the #-1 spot on the French pop/rock charts. The 1990's saw the members invovled in their own unique projects. In 2001 they came together for the release "Tribute To Trust." The release was full of positive rage and energy directed towards the problems in our world. In France they have released "Martin Circus-The Anthology" a sampling of some of the over 200 tracks that the guys have recorded since 1969. It is doubtful that Martin CIrcus will ever score on the dance charts again, but then one never knows. We never would have thought that a rock group born in France in 1969 would ever have us dancing, but then there was Martin Circus. |
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