Into a Circle

Infobox musical artist
Name = Into A Circle


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Years_active = 1985-1989
Label = Arcadia, Abstract
Associated_acts = Getting the Fear FUTON
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Past_members = Bee (Paul Hampshire), Barry Jepson
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Into A Circle (also In Two A Circle, In2aO) were formed in April 1985 by Bee (Paul Hampshire) and Barry (Jepson), two former members of Getting the Fear. It was in intention a creative unit, without the restrictions of a ‘band’ format, using music, imagery, poetry and prose to further ideas begun in GTF, taking inspirations from the religious principle, sexual intuition and spiritual insight.

Lyrically and in attitude, they were deeply influenced by poet, artist, writer and philosopher Brion Gysin and his frequent collaborator William S. Burroughs. Particularly in respect to their use of North African and Middle Eastern folklore (the stories, for instance, of 11th Century Ismaili warrior, Hassan-i-Sabah) and magicial rituals (such as that of the goat-boy-god, Boujeloud.)

After writing and rehearsing for some months the band played their first live date at the Croydon Underground in December 1985, just prior to the release of their first single "Rise." Following their policy of total control; Bee and Barry did the production, artwork and layouts, thus achieving a concentration of their purpose and vision previously impossible. This was to be the most important aspect of all Into A Circle recordings, merchandise and visual representation—strict attention to detail and total control. "Rise" quickly sold out (it was a limited pressing of 5,000 copies) and a short tour of England and Scotland followed in March 1986. The band was joined on three dates [and subsequent ones] by Rose McDowall from Strawberry Switchblade.

In July 1986 a deal was signed with Abstract Records followed by the release of their next single "Inside Out. This was an indie success and live dates over the Christmas period followed. However this highlighted Bee and Barry’s dissatisfaction with working with session musicians and the band spent some time rehearsing and producing a new live format. Using ambient, taped, sampled and pre-recorded sounds as well as ‘live’ instruments to give a new edge and definition to their live work, they attempted to recreate the atmosphere under which they wrote and recorded their material.

The third single "Forever" was a reflection of the bands new direction and featured Rose McDowall on backing vocals. It was co-produced by Larry Steinbeck from Bronski Beat and was a taster for their debut album "Assassins" which was eventually released in the summer of 1988. The album was promoted by a constant touring schedule.

A second single from the album, "Evergreen," was released in the autumn, which like all previous releases entered the UK Indie Top 20, staying there for a number of weeks.

Bee and Barry carried on working together for a number of years following these releases, but unfortunately none of the material produced ever saw the public.

A rumoured support slot with Erasure on their "Innocents" tour was quashed when record company executives refused to financially back them.

In September 1989 Into A Circle took to the road one last time, supported by Sins of the Flesh. New York punk poetess Annie Anxiety (Bandez) joined the line up on backing vocals and the band unveiled a new harder edged sound. Adding to new material were complete reworkings of earlier Getting the Fear songs “Sometimes” and “Yurune”.

There were rumours of a name change to “Big World Café” or “Ugly”, but the band finally combusted on stage at the Fulham Greyhound in October 1989.

Memorable for having legendary Punk Rocker 'Chopper' selling merchandise for a considerable time.

Bee now resides in Thailand, where he is a member of electro-rock band FUTON alongside Simon Gilbert (drummer) from Suede.

Barry lives in the UK, where he is a tour manager for bands.

Discography

12" singles

* "Rise" (1985, Arcadia, ARC001): Rise, And In Flames, Gabriel
* "Inside Out" (1986, Abstract, 12ABS042): Inside Out, Reward, Flow, Field of Sleep
* "Forever" (1987 Abstract 12ABS044): Forever (Remix), Forever, O Siren
* "Evergreen" (1988 Abstract 12ABS050): Evergreen, Beiruit (The Amahl of Youth), Evergreen (12" Mix)

Albums

* "Assassins" (1988, Abstract ABT018): Beneath Mikhail, Over + Over, The Swinging Tree, 'Elim, Forever, Allah Akhbar, Tender Skin, Evergreen, Assassins, Seraphin Twin

"Tapes"' "( demos and lives, available only at live concerts )"
*Live (Nottingham Rock City, February 1987) Dune Buggy Attack, Mercenaries, Little Fishes, O Siren, Forever, Field of Sleep, Stitches, Beneath Mikhail, Judas, Inside Out
*Homelands Inner Field of Sleep, Mercenaries, O Siren, Beneath Mikhail, And In Flames, Attica, Judas, Forever, Flow, Wish I Was Dreaming
*Thai Tapes Evergreen, Tender Skin, Forever, Beneath Mikhail, The Swinging Tree, Assassins, Over + Over, The Hunger - Live "( available for download at the Live Music Archive at www.archive.org )"
*Leicester Fan Club 18 March 1987 (http://www.archive.org/details/in2aO1987-03-18..flac16) Mercenaries, Little Fishes, Field Of Sleep, O Siren, Forever, Stitches, Beneath Mikhail, Judas, Inside Out
*Bristol Tropic 20 October 1989 (http://www.archive.org/details/in2aO1989-10-20.flac16) Intellectual, Drunk Stupid, Swell, Sometimes, Yurune, Feel The Night, Stitches, Seraphin Twin
*Fulham Greyhound 26 October 1989 (http://www.archive.org/details/in2aO1989-10-26.SBD.flac16) Take Control, Intellectual, My Little Pony, Drunk Stupid, Yurune, Swell, Sometimes, Seraphin Twin, My Little Pony - Last ever show -

Concerts "(please update)" - 1985

* 18 Dec, Croydon, Underground (supporting Nico) - - 1986
*20th Feb, Croydon, Underground
*1st Mar, London, Clarendon
*18th Mar, Southampton, Riverside
*26th Jul, Retford, Porterhouse
*29th Sep, London, 100 Club
*20th Nov, London, 100 Club - 1987
*10th Feb, Nottingham, Rock City
*18th Mar, Leicester, Fan Club
*18th Sep, London, Hammersmith Clarendon
*10th Nov, Manchester, University - 1988
*17th Mar, Newcastle, Riverside
*7th Jun, Leeds, Duchess of York
*11th Jun, Retford, Porterhouse
*12th Jun, Nottingham, Mardi Gras
*13th Jun, Birmingham Kaleidoscope
*16th Jun, Barry Island, Pebbles
*14th Jul, London, Fulham Greyhound
*13th Sep, London, Fulham Greyhound - They played ULU (London University Union) at some point this year - I have the photos of Rose's kid in the wings, but haven't (yet!) scanned them. No idea of the date, as it was pre-digital, but my flatmate and I followed the band for at leat 12 months, in some obscure venues.......

1989
*23rd May, London, Camden Palace
*2nd Jun, Retford, Porterhouse
*9th Jun, London, Fulham Greyhound
*23rd Jun, Liverpool, Planet X
*2nd Sep, London, Sir George Robey
*11th Sep, Leeds, Duchess of York
*12th Sep, Sheffield, Take Two
*13th Sep, Newcastle, Riverside
*14th Sep, Hull, Alephi
*15th Sep, Leicester, Princess Charlotte
*16th Sep, Liverpool, Planet X 2
*17th Sep, London, Islington Powerhouse
*19th Sep, Bournemouth, Academy
*20th Sep, Bristol, Tropic
*26th Oct, London, Fulham Greyhound

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