Outer Circle (band)

Outer Circle was a post-punk art-rock band from Long Beach, California, circa 1980 to 1984.

Outer Circle
OriginLong Beach, California, US
Genres
Years active
  • 1981–1984
Labels
  • Bemisbrain
  • XLNT
Past members
  • Steve Spingola
  • Paul Santos
  • Patrick Collison
  • Brad Bechtel
  • Lee Howell
  • Cole Coonce
  • Derek O'Brien

History

Early incarnation (1980–1982)

An earlier incarnation of the band began as Heroic Struggles and made an appearance on Peter Ivers' "New Wave Theater."[1] This line-up included future Outer Circle members Steve "Spit" Spingola on vocals and clarinet, Patrick Collison on synthesizers, Brad Bechtel on Hawaiian lap steel guitar, and Paul Santos on bass.

Formation (1982)

After their television debut, Heroic Struggles changed its name to Outer Circle and added Lee Howell to program rhythm machines and play both drums and synthesizers. Their eponymous debut on Bemisbrain Records featured five songs of mesmerizing synthesizer-based sound textures, analog rhythm machines, Hawaiian steel guitar and singer Steve "Spit" Spingola's "twisted lounge singer" deep baritone vocals.[2]

Expansion (1983)

In 1983, Outer Circle's sonic focus shifted from the ethereal to a harder-edged sound. They added guitarist Cole Coonce and emphasized real drums more than rhythm machines. In 1984 they released a 12" EP on XLNT Brand Records.[3] The A-side's leadoff single is "My Mona Lisa," which received medium-rotation airplay on KNAC.

Following the release of "My Mona Lisa," Collison and Howell quit the group.

Social Distortion drummer Derek O'Brien left that band and joined Outer Circle, replacing Howell. Collison was not replaced.

Post-Outer Circle (1984–2022)

Santos and Bechtel departed Outer Circle in 1984. Subsequently, Spingola, Coonce, and O'Brien started the Fontanelles, a more aggressive guitar-driven quartet with a new bass player, Mark Hodson, who had just left the punk rock group Saccharine Trust.

After O'Brien quit the band, drummer Tony Cicero joined and the line-up added a second guitarist, Pat Bostrom.

Post-Fontanelles (1990–2022)

In 1990, Coonce and Howell reunited as founding members of Braindead Soundmachine.

Discography
EPs
  • Outer Circle (1982, Bemisbrain)
  • My Mona Lisa (1984, XLNT Brand Music)
Compilations

References
  1. "New Wave Theater: Heroic Struggles".
  2. "In Sheep's Clothing Hi-Fi: Outer Circle".
  3. "Discogs: Outer Circle - My Mona Lisa".
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