Nine Circles
We're a 4 piece hard rock outfit from North Jersey releasing a new record on our own indie label this May.Band/artist history
The hook heavy rock songs of northern New Jersey's 9 Circles puts the band in a league all its own, away from all the emo/hardcore/punk outfits that are crowding the Garden State's music scene. Born with music in their blood, the members of 9 Circles create songs that leave the listener pressing play over and over again, vocals you can sing along to, and chords you can break out your air guitar for.
The band's musical career has been in the making since 1980. Singer/song writer Cory Pensa explains, "I started taking piano lessons when I was four years-old. My parents made me practice 30 minutes a day and it sucked." But, influenced by 80s power bands such as Bon Jovi, Boston, and Winger, he decided to pick up the guitar five years later and it won him over. Soon after, he dabbled with the drums. But who better than to play the drums than Corys little brother Eric. Eric had grown up with music in the house. Between Cory blasting Steve Vai songs in his bedroom and their father blasting Thomas Dolby and Nine Inch Nails in his basement studio, it was inevitable that Eric would take to an instrument sooner or later. Erics drumming can be compared to the seconds hand on the clock hanging from the wall in your high school science class. His timing is nothing short of perfect, which allows bass player Steve Morris to lock into the grooves effortlessly.
Tom Spears adds the gasoline to the fire that is 9 Circles. A home-town friend of the Pensa Brothers, Spears adds his own brand of incendiary guitar sounds to the mix, putting the finishing touches to a line-up destined for greatness. His vibrant stage presence and technical mastery of the guitar impresses even the harshest of critics.
Everyone in 9 Circles is completely capable of writing, engineering, recording, performing every instrument, and producing a record. The fact that they are all in one band is almost amazing. The possibilities are endless. Ive never been in a band with a killer drummer, a sexy bass player, and a kick-ass guitar player before, Cory says. Its like Christmas everyday.
With their line-up complete, 9 Circles is constantly writing material in their home studio. The catchy masterpieces landed them an independent deal with Warehouse Records. Although the label fell from the wayside, it brought them the exposure they needed , shows at famed venues including the Waterloo Village main-stage, and numerous licensing and publishing deals. 9 Circles has since shared the stage with national acts such as Eve 6 , former Marvelous 3 frontman Butch Walker , American Hi-Fi , SR-71, Bigwig, Splender , Wheatus , Ben Lee, Tidewater Grain, Liquid Gang
9 Circles is currently showcasing across the East Coast with there explosive live show, as well as gearing up to head into the studio to record the follow up to From The Outside. From The Outside, the follow up to their self-titled EP, received rave reviews on local radio station 105.5 WDHA. In August, the album's opening track, "One More Chance" reached the coveted number one most requested spot. To celebrate, 9 Circles headlined an event sponsored by the station.
Cory reveals the band's songs are inspired by "real-life experiences we all deal with." He continues, "I won't lie. Most of them are about relationships gone bad." Lucky for listeners, bad experiences make great songs.
Just listen.Have you performed in front of an audience?We play extensively throughout North Jersey and New York City, and we love it more than any other part of what we're doing right now. Our favorite moments are those times in the middle of a set when a crowd full of strangers starts singing along with our songs, it really makes us feel like we're getting through to people and touches us in a special way.
Your musical influences
We all bring something so different to the table. From real heavy stuff like Meshuggah to modern jazz, we're a real melting pot of influence. Our biggest group influence is still found in great songwriting, however. Really divers artists, from Butch Walker to Elvis Costello, Roy Orbison to Paul Simon, its a great song that transcends genre and makes an emotional impact on a listener, and we appreciate that.What equipment do you use?
All the standard stuff: Gibson, Fender, PRS guitars; Marshall, Mesa Boogie and Peavey Amps; DW, GMS, Pork Pie, Sabian drums equipment; SWR and Hartke Bass amps; Ernie Ball and Ibanez Basses... we're gear junkies.Admin
Tom
@nine circles
