Subcircus

Subcircus took the unusual step of releasing their debut album, 1996's Carousel, before playing any serious live dates or releasing a single. However, following its release the band took a more conventional promotional route, touring heavily in support of the album and releasing their debut single, "86'd", in January 1997. Subcircus are led by singer and lyricist Peter Bradley Jnr. He originally came to London from his native Yorkshire at the age of 15, in company with his younger brother with whom he had already started writing songs. Eventually the brothers dissolved their musical partnership, and Bradley began working with Danish-born but London-resident Nicolaj Bloch (guitar) and Tommas Arnby (drums). The Subcircus line-up was completed with the addition of bass player George Brown. Following the release of their debut, which earned numerous comparisons with Radiohead, the group began to attract considerable exposure and attention. Their first live review by Sharon O'Connell of Melody Maker was enthusiastic to the point of eulogy. Echo Records head Steve Lewis was hooked after hearing their first demo: "When we saw them play, they had everything you'd hope for in a rock band at the end of the 20th Century," he later told Music Week. His faith in them was rewarded when "86'd" reached, ironically, number 85 in the UK charts, and the band were chosen as support for Suede's 1996 national tour. After all the hype, however, the expected breakthrough never happened and the band's disappointing follow-up was released to lukewarm reviews four years later.