Slambovian Circus of Dreams: “Hillbilly Pink Floyd” at Chocolate Church

Sat, 11/03/2018 - 8:00am

 New York’s Slambovian Circus of Dreams bring their warm, raucous — and decidedly unsleepy — brand of “Punk Classical Hillbilly Pink Floyd” to the Chocolate Church for one night, on Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. The historic arts venue is located at 804 Washington Street, Bath.

The classic rock-steeped band from New York’s Hudson Valley has built a national following, with fans of their rootsy, radio-friendly sound stretching from east coast to west.  One can hear strains of artists like Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young and Pink Floyd in their unique blend of psych rock and Americana-folk, painted in broad strokes with flashes of accordion, washes of cello, howls of harmonica and glittering notes of mandolin.  

Their last release, “A Box of Everything,” pulls fan favorites from various titles in their catalog, and nearly every song sounds like a radio hit that should have happened. Original tunes feature waltzing violins, searing guitars and soaring Theremin, shades of George Harrison and 1970s “Laurel Canyon rock” (think Neil Young, Jackson Browne) blending with the group’s own singular musical vision and lyrical poetry. Songs like “Very Happy Now” and “The Trans-Slambovian Bipolar Express” exude a joyous kind of energy, while tunes like “Talkin’ to the Buddha” and “Light a Way” are shrouded in mystical, purpose-driven naval-gazing.

Maverick Magazine calls the Slambovian Circus “mightily impressive and hugely original,” and while their influences are strong, the band filters the spirits of rock’s colorful past with their own organic, intuitive spirit, creating something that feels fresh and inarguably infectious. Recording has been underway for a new album, with guest musicians Gary Lucas, a veteran player with Captain Beefheart and Jeff Buckley, and New York’s Willie Nile, whom the New Yorker called “one of the most brilliant singer-songwriters of the past thirty years.” Nile has performed with Bruce Springsteen and The Who.

“Dancing in the aisles is not unheard of when the Circus comes to town,” Chocolate Church executive director Jennifer DeChant said. “It’s impossible to resist this band’s fevered passion ... their circus of dreams!”

This show is sponsored by Jorgensen Landscaping. Tickets are $20 in advance, $24 at the door.