FAITH CIRCUS sign to MelodicRock Records
MelodicRock Records is very excited to announce two new signings. The first is Faith Circus for the release of their brand new album “Turn Up The Band”.
Faith Circus, from the west coast of Norway, were a band born from the ashes of two rival bands. Comprised of, Marc Farrano (vocals), Marius Mørch (guitars), Lasse Koester (bass) and Baard Nordvik (drums).
Their style could be described as a hybrid of acts such as Kiss, Van Halen, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Journey, etc… Strong melodies, great hooks, burning frets, pounding drums, thunderous bass and smooth, yet powerful vocals. From the heartbreaking to the hip shaking, the band had it all…classic/melodic rock delivered with pure passion, love & fun!
The band signed with Kivel Records (US) in the fall/winter of 2007, and their debut album were released about a year later. Among the 11 tracks were a cover of the Eric “The Fox” Carr/Bruce Kulick/Adam Mitchell composition “Can you feel it”, until now only released in demo form on the former Kiss drummers, post-release, “Rockology” album. And another tune featured guest appearances by veterans such as Steinar Krokstad/drums (ex-Stage Dolls/Vagabond), Morty Black/bass (ex-TNT/Vagabond), Dag Stokke/keyboards (TNT/Vagabond), Tore Moren/guitar (Jorn/Rain/Carnivora), Steinar Hagen/acoustic guitar (Return) and Tony Harnell/background vocals (ex-TNT/Starbreaker/Westworld).
Like so many other bands they ran into some “trouble”…and broke up (in august 2009)…
But a mere 11 months after declaring to the world they would no longer be working together, the boys were back – Marc Farrano and Baard Nordvik and introducing new guitarist H.K. Rein and new bass player Christer Ottesen (ex-Popium/Flare).
The MRR release of Faith Circus “Turn Up The Band” will feature some real bonus material for fans!
First – there is the brand new 10 track studio album which will build on what the debut album offered back in 2008. But not only that – for those purchasing the CD release – you will get the band’s debut album as a bonus disc – totally re-mixed from the original release and featuring two additional bonus tracks (13 songs total). The songs are “Heroes” and a remake of the 1981 classic James Bond tune “For Your Eyes Only” – this time sung as a duet with the insanely talented Robin Beck!
Andrew McNeice: “I love the enthusiasm and the energy of these guys. And I love the attitude of the songs on this new album. In your face at all times, even when bringing it down a notch for a few really melodic numbers – and one monster ballad! The best of both world’s on this album – attitude and melody. Looking forward to delivering it into the hands of those that loved the debut and a swag of new fans also.”
The Faith Circus album will be released September 23.
The band’s Marc Farrano takes over to deliver all the news on the band!
On signing with MRR – “In this day and age where you can’t seem to swing a dead cat without hitting a record lable it’s real easy to jump in and make the wrong decision, and maybe get screwd over by someone out to make a quick buck! We first came into contact with Andrew (McNeice) when our friends in On The Rise got signed to Frontiers Records in 2003, and have been talking with him, off and on for the past ten years. Like so many, many others we appreciate and enjoy his great website on a daily basis and it’s easy to see that this guy loves what he does, and is a true fan of melodic/classic rock, and music: period!
You need to have a passion for what you do to be doing something like this for free all these years! Therefore it felt totally natural when we first heard he was setting up a label a few years back, and when we finally had finished our album and sorted out our personal issues contacting him first to see if he would be interested in getting behind the new Faith Circus release was a no-brainer. Luckily he “got it” right away and invited us to join the MRR family!
We feel truly blessed and excited to have a guy in our corner we know always puts the artist first! This gives us new “hope” and courage to keep on making music in a business that only seems to get harder and harder for any new up and coming, as well as the established bands!”
On the new album – “Wow! What can we say?! It’s been 5 long years since our first release (not counting the 2010 digital remixed debut album and the 2012 live digital EP “5.l.i.v.e.”) and a lot has happened! Our first album was labelled AOR/melodic rock, and although this might have been a true description at the time Faith Circus has always been just an old fashion rock `n roll band! This time around we have the opportunity to show a bit more of who we are as the album contains co-writes from almost every member in the band. The decision was made to cut back on the mid tempo/slow songs as there are enough, great ones, to choose from on our debut. We also managed to include some cool, special guests (read the booklet!), mostly for our own pleasure!
The album were, like last time, recorded at Tomtom Studio in our hometown of Bergen, by Thomas “Tomtom” Haugland. The mixing process was a co-effort between Tomtom and the band, and finally mastering was left in the more than capable hands of Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, House Of Lords, Tesla, etc…)
Although the album has been ready to go for some time it still feels fresh every time we put in on….and that has to be a good sign, right?! We like to view the album as a hard-hitting, loud, massive testament (inviting you to sing along!) to that rock `n roll is very much alive & kickin in 2013! No gimmicks here, no retro act…it’s like the fuckin 90’s never happened! And if YOU want a piece of the action all you gotta do is…Turn Up The Band!!”
On the new guitarist – “Life in a rock `n roll band might be many different things, but one things for sure it’s never boring!! In a lot of ways we feel it reflects life itself… Since the inception of Faith Circus back in 2007, which seems a lifetime ago, the band has been through a lot, breakups, personnel changes, long periods in limbo, some really sweet highs and some psychological draining lows, etc, etc… It’s never easy replacing a founding member of a band, but regardless of who’s leaving, with every new guy that comes in the dynamics are bound to shift one way, or the other. The trick is to stay positive, roll with the punches, and look at it as an opportunity to, maybe, grow and expand in a slightly different direction!
Marius Mörch is a very, very talented guy and a great, diverse guitarist, and he will, without a doubt, be successful in whatever he chooses to do in the future. We thank him for his commitment and all the great work he’s done for Faith Circus these past 6 years and wish him nothing but the best! So, with that being said the remaining three of us are very honoured, excited and proud now to welcome H.K. Rein into the band!
This cat is on fire!!
We came across him on YouTube playing in a local Guns `n Roses cover band. It turned out he had more to show for his talent than just playing covers, as he is a singer and songwriter as well! Actually his first gig, before officially joining Faith Circus, were a Kiss Expo in Stavanger (Norway) attended by Eric Singer & Tommy Thayer! Talk about being thrown in at the deep end…”
H.K. Rein: “I’ve been soaking up so much rock ‘n’ roll over the years and can no longer hold back! It’s very exciting to be able to express myself in an already established band at this level. I’m ready (and willing) to offer my body & soul to the Faith Circus.”
“So there you have it! We can’t wait to get out there and promote the new album! And soon thereafter start writing some new music!!”
Source: Melodic Rock Records
