THE CIRCLE VIEW
The Next Stage of Evolution for Modern Rock
Based out of Chicago, this diverse group blends the art of Jimi Hendrix, The Foo Fighters, Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Kings Of Leon, Pearl Jam, and Sevendust to name a few. THE CIRCLE VIEW is very unique; a cut above the rest. Their intense live show gets any crowd on their feet. FREELANCE, the creative force behind the band writes powerful guitar driven songs with lyrics and hooks that are not only incredibly infectious, but also deeply meaningful. These hard guitar riffs combined with a beautifully strong voice fill a void in today's quickly eroding music scene.
It was really during the summer months of 2004 that the group was formed. FREELANCE (songwriting, lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, and production) and Myron Cherry (Drums) were founding members. Kevin Brown (Bass Guitar), Tom Howell (Guitar) and Dominic Doria (Background vocals/ Keys) were in other bands but had a music bond with FREELANCE and it was only a matter of time before they were to all work together. Together this band has made immense strides as a commercially viable, entertaining, but most importantly, insightful and message driven band.
The Circle View has completed two full-length albums entitled The Dither Age (2009) and The Greater Good (2006) and an EP entitled Underground (2006) not to mention a very popular demo project called Ensuing Din (2005). Limited edition releases of older material are available at performances but the 2009 album is available through the CD Baby and ITunes. The official release of the new album was a great success. With over 80,000 friends on MySpace and the Facebook fan count taking off, sales will surely improve.
FREELANCE won the respect of such Chicago Rock radio music gurus as James VanOsdol and Erin Carmen and has enjoyed regular airtime on their programs in the past. They have performed all through the Midwest including legendary venues like Metro, Double Door, Elbo Room, Subterranean, The Note, The Hard Rock Cafe, The Pearl Room and Oasis One-Sixty and has also performed every major University such as University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, the University of Chicago, and Loyola University.
The Circle View has had the opportunity to open up for such main stream bands / artists as Mos Def, Michelle Branch, Powerman 5000, Nonpoint, Liquid Soul, Blessid Union of Souls and The Jeff Coffin band.
Who are we? We are the achievers, the dreamers, the inventors and wall breakers, the movers, the shakers and the shifters. Our hands make music and yet they are also the fists of champions and freedom fighters. Our hearts span the globe from Egypt to the North Pole...and we are unique. Our skin is the color of strength, sweetness and earth. Our music is the color of freedom. Red, White and Blue.
FREELANCE
Lead Vocals/ Lead Guitar/ Song Writer
FREELANCE was born Lance T. Ayers on the south side of Chicago. His mother introduced him to music at the age
of 3. By the age of 5 he started taking piano lessons and thus began a long and impressive junior career in music.
FREELANCES brother was something of a musicologist and profoundly influential regarding his listening preferences.
Through his brother he was introduced to everything from Muddy Waters, Hendrix, Clapton and B.B. to Sam Cooke,
and Dave and Marvin Gaye... to The Beatles, The Police, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder and Prince. His love of the greats grew and his love of songwriting grew until before even attending college he had written over 500 songs and his proficiency in music theory as well as piano, organ, guitar, bass, percussion and drums was impressive to say the least. His ear and learning curve had become astounding.
In fact, he could pretty much play almost any instrument he picked up with no previous experience. In college he honed his ear in sound recording and production taking no pay internships and found his singing voice in studying the classical arts and now, FREELANCE has piloted an assortment of bands to amazingly unique sonic realms, including: Lance and the Boboys, O.D.M., Odium Nation and Satellite Hero.
While leading these bands FREELANCE has written some of his most popular and impressive tunes offering an
assortment of musical styles and has established quite a reputation and following throughout the Midwest. As founder and principle songwriter for THE CIRCLE VIEW the new music that he offers is a continuation of the powerful and politically driven that he has become well known for; adorned with radiant melodies and thought provoking themes. Along with his timeless vocals and unforgettable performances this project will prove to be his most ambitious and genuine visionary excursion.
TOM HOWELL
Lead and Rhythm Guitar
Tom began playing electric guitar during high school at the age of 15, initially starting in order to learn the music of hard rock/metal bands including Metallica among others.
Over the years, he has studied classical guitar in college, as well as becoming strongly influenced in the more melodic side of blues, acoustic, and open-tuning styles. His main contemporary influences include Mark Tremonti, Mike Einziger, John Mayer, and Kirk Hammett, as well as the older works of Eddie Van Halen,
Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. Tom and FREELANCE had already been friends for a long time having met through mutual friends; while in different bands and sharing gigs. Each developed a great respect for the others work and accomplishments on the local scene.
Tom first started with the T.C.V. as a favor to FREELANCE, filling in on guitar. Just for kicks Tom learned most of T.C.Vs material and so was the perfect go to guy for gigs. As time progressed
Tom became a full-fledged member of the band. Now Tom adds his own wonderfully ambient and melodically poetic flavor to an already rich and powerful sound.
Beginning his musical journey in his young teens, Dominic quickly became attracted to addictive hooks, catchy melodies, and vocal harmonies. Dominic is the guy you want to have your back on a gig. He is in it for the music and can honestly play any instrument you put in front of him.
The chameleon of the group, Dominic was always considered the bands second vocalist but was originally thought to be the bands new guitar player, then switched to bass guitar and now comfortably boasts keyboards and extra guitar. This Chicago native lends from the styles of Styx, The Beatles, Chicago, The B52s, blood, sweat and tears. Dominic is an extremely experienced musician but as a performer mostly hails from the world of Pop Rock. While heading up his own very popular Chicago Pop Rock band Dominic was introduced to FREELANCES music through a mutual producer.
They remained respectful acquaintances for a few years until FREELANCE gave him a call and asked if hed be interested in joining the group.
Dominic was a long time fan of the FREELANCE style of songwriting and musicality now they are thick as thieves. Brilliant keyboards and guitar aside, Dominics voice adds a velvety tone to the music, the kind of raw natural talent that leaves you smiling. An eccentric, fun, witty yet passionate performer his voice can easily exemplify a working marriage between strength and vulnerability. His energy and versatility compliments FREELANCES vocal uniqueness. His voice moves in and out of the melodies with ease giving him an almost enigmatic character in the band. Essentially hes willing to give his voice the time it needs to develop its own patent.
Dominic Doria
Backing Vocals/ Keyboards
Sound Effects/ Guitar
MYRON CHERRY
Youll be stupefied, scratching your right ear with your left hand in amazement after seeing Myron Cherry on the drums for the first time. And if for nothing else, youll be compelled to come to the next T.C.V. show just to see him RAWQ again!
Myron (RAWQ) Cherry on the drums has been playing since he was 6 years old, starting in the church with his father, a very well known and respected gospel organist was no doubt the catalyst for his musical evolution.
He expanded his talent to be used in school bands, various bands with friends, and other well-known talent in the city of Chicago and beyond.
From then until now, he has become well-versed in many styles of music including Gospel, jazz, fusion, rock, house, rap and RnB just to name a few and it is his roots in these genres that are most likely responsible for his agility and creativity as a drummer.
The professional side of his career started with an avant-garde big band and in the Chicago jazz clubs. You can tell that Myron studies hard because one can plainly hear in his playing a dynamic intensity and control sorely missed in these schizophrenic, self-indulgent days of modern drumming. He's expanded to play bigger venues within Chicago and can be spotted frequenting the scene with a diverse assortment of acts around the city and in the Midwest.
Besides this number of very cool projects Myron has also been performing with FREELANCE for well over five years now helping to put T.C.V. in a class by itself.
Myron and Freelance became acquaintances via a mutual friend. Myron was intrigued by his music and began to expound upon that friendship while FREELANCE worked at a local music store. Since then, theyve established a deep-seated musical connection.
DRUMS
KEVIN BROWN
Blue Island Illinois native Kevin Brown is a modern day Renaissance man. The guy is a musician, a professional sound engineer and STILL finds time to play Hockey.
A completely self taught musician, Kevin was introduced to music by his mother as a small child. His mother listened to Blues, Southern Rock and Grunge right around the time when the alternative rock scene was blowing up. Her preferred listening had a profound influence on Kevins style but he did not pick up the bass guitar until he turned 14 years old. At that time his best friend was learning guitar but had a crappy bass player in his band. Kevin was eventually talked into learning the instrument and within days proved to be better than his best friends original bass player.
From there Kevin never looked back. Also, his love for recording has grown until now Kevin has been running live sound and recording professionally for over 3 years and received his audio engineering certificate. How Kevin came to know FREELANCE is unfortunately through a bit of tragedy.
Several years ago Kevin and FREELANCE were both affiliated with a bogus management company. Through this connection Kevins band and FREELANCES band shared gigs and thus became good friends. After having become estranged for a year or so Kevin responded to a Craigs list posting that FREELANCE composed looking for a new bass player. The rest is history. Kevin puts down the righteous groove.
BASS GUITAR
The Circle View
UPCOMING EVENTS
05/08/2010
10:00 PM
Goose Island (Wrigleyville)
3535 N Clark St
Chicago, Illinois 60657-1611
Cost:Presale tickets $6
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