Now beginning work on their sixth studio album, “A Very Unusual Head”, Joziah Longo, (lead singer/songwriter for the band) describes the new bundle of songs as “A notebook of music about those go-to topics: meta-physical science and religion, poking fun with scorching humor at the state of the world, and a few anthemic beauties that will hopefully sweep everyone off their feet for a moment… the sound may be more adventurous this time – we’ve always had a bit of psychedelic grit that steals from our British cousins.” For the uninitiated, the band’s all over the map melodic avant folk conjures Tom Petty, Dinosaur Jr., and a fuller Buffalo Tom. Equal parts Washington Irving and Woodstock, the band taps a broad palette of styles ranging from dusty Americana ballads to huge Pink Floydesque cinematic anthems. Playing art school roots-rock, trad folk and a moody but uplifting americana, they possess an extensive instrumental arsenal (accordion, cello, mandolin, theremin). “The entire root system of Rock Family Trees is embedded in Longo’s voice.”- The Big Issue, Scotland, U.K.
Together since the late 90’s where they met in art school, they settled in Sleepy Hollow, New York, and formed The Slambovian Circus of Dreams. The band has toured nationally and abroad since forming in 1998. Known for their electrifying live performances, and critically acclaimed original music, they have an extremely devoted fan base.
The band produces Halloween shows every year at moving locations – in 2010 they even brought their legendary Halloween show, ‘The Grand Slambovian Extraterrestrial Hillbilly~Pirate Ball’ to London’s Electric Ballroom AND New York City’s Gramercy Theater. “Saturday was a blast! I want you to know how great I thought your show was – you guys really made the Gramercy shine and ooze with your own personality.” – Harvey Leeds, Live Nation NYC. This year, 2015’s shows will be a ‘Mischief Night’ at Mauch Chunk Opera House October 24th and Halloween show is at Infinity Hall in Hartford, Ct October 31st.
In 2010 bandleader and songwriter Longo, (known for tall tales and philosophizing) began work with Broadway theater legend Theodore Mann writing the musical score for 2 productions performed at Broadway’s Circle in The Square Theater in New York City from 2010-2012.
Soon unleashing their hauntingly signature songs on the world once again, the bands next studio album is scheduled for release in early 2016. The new songs should knit into the band’s classics like an old paisley quilt wrapped around a very large family. The ultimate DIY’ers, the band runs its own label and has previously released 4 critically acclaimed studio albums and one ‘greatest hits’, ‘A Box of Everything’ released in 2014, “The Grand Slambovians”2010, ‘The Great Unravel’ (2008), 2004’s double-disc ‘Flapjacks from the Sky’, and ‘A Good Thief Tips His Hat‘ (1999)
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams are:
Joziah Longo (lead vocals, guitars, harmonica), born in Philadelphia, grew up playing traditional country, folk and mummers music with his father. Performing professionally from the age of 13 doing Dylan covers, he moved to New York to pursue his muse. Playing venues ranging from CBGB’s to Carnegie Hall as a headline performer, Joziah was also the first American musician invited to perform in mainland China in the early 90’s ending a decade-long ban on Western music.
Multi-instrumentalist Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, flute, theremin) comes from a long line of feisty Irish musicians which brings a unique spark to the band’s music as well as performance. Tink has worked with Joziah and Sharkey on previous projects.
Sharkey McEwen (guitars, mandolin, backing vocals), longtime musical partner of Joziah, has Louisiana roots but grew up in L.A. where he cut his teeth on the club circuit before coming to New York in the early 90’s. His inventive, evocative playing is a strong counterpoint to Joziah’s songwriting and performance. He is has been the band’s engineer and main producer with Joziah for all their albums.
Eric Puente grew up in Rome, NY, and has been playing drums, in several different forms and styles, his entire life. He has been a session drummer/percussionist, in the NY music scene for the past 20 years, recording, touring, and arranging, with various rock, jazz, folk/americana, and orchestral ensembles. He has studied with Joe Morello, Mike Clark, Tony Jefferson, and Joe Cusatis. Eric has been a Slambovian musical friend for several years, and in March 2012, he started performing with Joziah and Sharkey on the NYC Broadway play “Aesop’s Fables” (for which Joziah wrote the musical score). Since then, he has been touring and recording on a fulltime basis with the Slambovians.
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