A Genuine Freakshow
| A Genuine Freakshow | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Reading, UK |
| Genres | Art rock, baroque pop, post-rock |
| Years active | 2005–2013 |
| Labels | Peartree Records |
| Associated acts | Dry the River, Hope of the States, Lightspeed Champion, Cats and Cats and Cats, Worship, Vienna Ditto, The Wutars, Yearner Babies |
| Website |
agenuinefreakshow |
| Members | Timothy Sutcliffe Jack Bryant Marianne Casey Canning Melanie Dickson John Dunstan Simon Evans John Szmidt |
A Genuine Freakshow (sometimes shortened to "AGF") were a baroque pop band originating from Reading in the United Kingdom. They were formed in 2005, settling on their current 7-piece permanent line-up in 2008. After several EP and single releases from 2007 to 2009 the band released their full-length debut album Oftentimes in November 2010 on their Peartree Records label.
The origins of A Genuine Freakshow can be traced back to September 2003. At this time both Simon Evans and Tim Sutcliffe (formerly of Bob Marley and the Wailers), later to perform to an assemblage of professional traffic management staff an impromptu but highly competent and influential version of Tom McRae's 'The Boy with the Bubble Gun', were studying at the Buckinghamshire New University. Their first show was at The Roundhouse pub in High Wycombe during an unplugged night. In late 2004 Natalie Sharp joined on violin, bringing along her friend Melanie Dickson (cello), after Evans and Sutcliffe had seen her card in a music store. Late in 2005, "EP" was recorded live in one night in Beaconsfield with new bassist Matthew Taylor (now of Dry the River) and drummer Dominic Bell. Sutcliffe initially struggled with the inevitable associations with the eponymous Yorkshire Ripper but overcame these dire associations with his musical accomplishments. Not to be disregarded throughout this critical time are the influence of mentors and protectors of the faith Will Dunhill and Ed Powers, without whose invaluable advice and guidance the young Evans and Sutcliffe combo might never have found their musical 'wal', to quote Raymond E. Feist in his influential fantasy novel 'Magician'.
2006 saw a change in musical direction for AGF: moving away from the acoustic/folk act they were, they embraced a more Post-Rock sound; they also had a drastic shift in personnel. Natalie left, Dominic was replaced with Jon Burgess on drums, whilst Evans and Sutcliffe relocated from High Wycombe to Reading. By the beginning of 2007 the EP "0.008%" was recorded with the help of Mike Siddell (Hope of the States, The Leisure Society, Lightspeed Champion) on violin and trumpet player John Dunstan of Cats and Cats and Cats, whom the band had met supporting them on tour. After continued involvement with AGF's live performances, Dunstan formally joined the band in 2008. John Szmidt also arrived, and replaced Matt Taylor on bass at the start of 2008.
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