Circus a biography

1989

Formation of the band Eclat de Vers in May by the guitarist-composer Alain Chiarazzo and the singer-lyricist Denis Carnevali. The band name is play on the words "verre" - glass - and "vers" - verse. Alain had already travelled in the whole country with the bands Quartier Nord and Léda Atomica. Denis had recorded an album produced by Polygram and the famous french artist Francis Lalanne. Helped by Fabrice Di-Mondo on drums and Serge Manzo on bass, Eclat de Vers wins the a regional rock challenge in Arles on their first live show. From then, they play several dates in the south-east of France.

1990

In the springtime, several important events happen: opening slot for Jean-Louis Aubert during the inauguration of a Virgin Megastore, a one-week programmation at the Théâtre Tourtour in Paris, etc... In June, Pascal Versini takes on the keyboards and the band plays in a series of famous festivals, especially the Semnoz, opening for Ange. In the autumn, a new bass player joins the band: Laurent Tomann. Eclat de Vers are invited by Francis Lalanne at the Vitry festival and, just after, record their first album in 4 days.

1991

The album "Eclat de Vers" in released in April. The band starts a promotional tour which ends at the Théâtre Dejazet in Paris. Bad news in June just as the band is starting to have some success: Denis Carnevali announces that he will leave the band to become a writer. Nevertheless, the musicians try to react positively and the week after, they do recording live sessions for a regional TV channel. For the occasion, Alain is lead-singer.

1992

Eclat de Vers become Eclat and start recording a second album. This time, several sessions are necessary. The album, "Eclat II", completed in May is released in October with a licensing deal from Musea. Then the band plays in the "3rd Progressive Rock Festival" in Paris. Michel Isnard is the second guitarist. Then the band goes back to the studio to re-record the track "Circus" with Christian Décamps (from Ange) on lead vocals.

3rd Progressive Rock Festival - "143", Paris, October 92.

1993

In February, Eclat and Arrakeen organize a double-concert at Espace Julien, in Marseille. Pascal Versini leaves the band. Alain Chiarazzo then momentarily has the triple role of guitarist/lead vocalist/keyboardist ! Fortunately, in May, Thierry Masse enters as a new keyboard player and the band can play at the Soulac festival. In the autumn, the compilation CD "Ugum pt 2" is released featuring the song "Circus" with Ch. Décamps on vocals.

1994

A compilation CD is released by Musea featuring the song "Vitriol". Eclat tour in the springtime, with a new bass player, Christian Magro. They play 2 concerts opening for Pendragon.

1995

At that time, the band wishes to take a more instrumental orientation. Michel Isnard takes on the bass guitar for a while. After a concert at Café Julien, Eclat decides to disband during one year. Alain and Michel record a guitar album with Philippe Troisi and Fabrice settle the record label Kezako Music.

1996

Eclat is restructured: Jean-Marc Nègre enters to be lead vocalist but he will finally only handle the backing vocals. Philippe Marengo is the bass player for only one concert, replaced after by Philippe Troisi. In May and June, the musicians play 4 concerts, the highlight being their appearance at Baltimore's Progscape 2 (read the an account by Alain Chiarrazzo). Eclat re-release both "Eclat de Vers" and "Eclat II" on one CD, "Vol. I & II" by Kezako. In the autumn, they start working on a 3rd album.

1997

The new album, "Volume 3", is released in April by Kesako and distributed by MSI. The event is celebrated in Los Angeles, during Progfest. In november, the band opens for Fish at Espace Julien .

1998 Eclat is involved in Printemps Prog in Paris and soon after leave for Tokyo. Two concerts are played in Japan, one at Egg Man, sharing the bill will Gerard, and the other headlining at Silver Elephant. Returning the favor, Eclat invite Gerard in Marseille. The shows are recorded and a live album is released by each group. That of Eclat is called "Marseille-Tokyo" and is released by Musea.

1999

The live album is released in March and celebrated at Studio Hyperion with Wappa Gappa as special guests. Soon after, both band will share the stage of Jas'Rod (Les Pennes-Mirabeau) for a memorable show. October is the occasion for a big change in the line-up: Michel and Philippe leave and a young bass player, Bruno Ramousse, enters. Harmonie Magazine features Eclat on the cover of its issue 37.

2000

A lot of rehearsal sessions in January and February. Two gigs at Stairway Café (Marseille) and the big trip in March with the concert at Baja Prog (Mexico).

2001

Eclat are invited once again in Mexico ! In March, their second participation to Baja Prog is very important as the band's audience is growing steadily. In addition, numerous and fruitful contacts are taken with the many bands participating to the festival. Some of them will even be invited to play in Marseille at Prog'Sud ! The musicians decide to become organizers once again and to launch the second edition of the festival. The gig by Eclat is a success and despite the tiredness, everybody is enjoying the event. In August, Eclat play at the outdoor Crescendo festival in St Palais. In December, the recording sessions for a new album, "Le cri de la Terre" start at Studio Hypérion in Marseille.

2002

The year kicks off with a nearly permanent residence in the studio. The recording is complete in January followed by mixing sessions. The band wants the CD to be ready before they fly to Mexico at the end of February. This time, Eclat are not playing but Alain and Frabrice want to do an advance presentation of "Le Cri de la Terre" at Baja Prog. The Musea booth enjoys a large success, the new album being among the top sellers during the festival, despite the band not playing live ! back home, it is time to prepare the third edition of Prog'Sud. Eclat will not perform this year and the audience seems to be a bit disppointed... However, a big decision is taken: they have to find a new musician to enhance the band's sound.

2003

After a few months of inactivity, rehearsals start again with Jérôme Leroy on the saxophone and accordion. The first concert with this new line-up ill be that at Prog'Sud 2003. The audience seems to approve this choice ! The Cadix festival in Spain in September and a participation to ProgFarm in Holland are two other great moments of that year.

2004

Once again, the year is debuting very quietly for the band which lacks time to rehearse. The "Fiesta Prog" at Prog'Sud is the last concert of Fabrice Di Mondo with his friends as he decides to leave Eclat. After searching for a replacement in Marseille and the area nearby, Marco Fabbri from the italian band Odessa decides to give it a try. Rehearsals start in September with a renewed energy !

To be continued...