Circus Mort EP

Circus Mort is the debut and only EP by American No Wave band Circus Mort. It is the first musical release by Michael Gira, who began his musical career in 1979 with Circus Mort. The EP features a sound more akin to Post-Punk or Art Punk than No Wave, as none of the tracks feature distorted instruments or screaming vocals. Many have also compared it to Krautrock, a genre of surf rock that features more elements of punk and ska.

Background
Vocalist Michael Gira moved to New York City from his hometown of Los Angeles, California in 1979 and formed the band Metal Envelope. He acquired guitarist Don Christensen for the bass duties of the band. They then renamed the band to Circus Mort. Bassist Dan Braun and keyboardist Josh Braun joined the band based off of Christensen's recommendation. Angelo Pudignano joined on drums, and Christensen left the band. Rick Oller replaced him, but on guitar, as Dan Braun was already a bassist.

They recorded two lost songs late that year, called "Require Require" / "Working For Pleasure". Shortly after recording, Pudignano left the band and Mike Pedulla replaced him. After gigging around New York City for a while in 1980, Pedulla also left the band. This left the band with the third and final drummer, Jonathan Kane, who would become the first drummer for Swans and the drummer on Circus Mort EP.

Shortly after, the band was signed to the newly-formed Labor Records and recorded two demos of songs they had, preparing for the recording sessions. The entire EP was recorded at Minot Sound in White Plains, New York. It was released some time in April 1981, and their first / only real concert was on April 24, 1981, opening for Bauhaus. Gira wrote 4 new songs for a second EP that would become Swans EP. Circus Mort broke up shortly after the EP released.

Track listing

 * 1) Swallow You – 3:15
 * 2) Children Remember – 3:32
 * 3) Yellow Light – 3:44
 * 4) Watch the Puppet – 3:21

Personnel

 * Michael Gira – vocals
 * Rick Oller – lead guitar, backing vocals
 * Josh Braun – keyboards, backing vocals
 * Dan Braun – bass guitar
 * Jonathan Kane – drums


 * Peter Ivers – production
 * Ray Bardani – mixing