Welcome Again to the Rock 'n' Roll Worship Circus

As I write, the Rock ‘n' Roll Worship Circus (RRWC) is touring around the UK with Delirious on the “World Service Tour.” Fortunately I was able to talk to ringleader Gabriel Wilson via cell phone before they took the big jump across the pond. From the comfort of a coffee shop and my kitchen, Gabriel and I talked about what was new with the band; a question I jokingly told Gabriel could consume the entire interview.

Before we go any further with what's new, let's take a look at where the band has come from. The RRWC started out back in the late 90's as a gathering of friends, both kids and adults, who would get together and lead worship wherever they were invited. Following a missions trip to Africa the band felt a calling to tour full-time. It was then that the lineup had to be trimmed and solidified. Because he needed to finish High School the original keyboardist Josiah was unable to join the official lineup. So, the official lineup came down to Gabriel (Guitar/Vocals), Solo (Guitar), Blur (Keyboards/Low End), and Zurn (Drums).

With an established lineup the band began touring heavily between 2000 and early 2003. The bands first two independent releases garnered much attention, and the band was eventually picked up by Vertical Records and INO.

In the middle of this whirlwind, Solo gets married, and was soon blessed with a honeymoon baby. Gabriel knew then that they had about eight more months of touring before things would change. After the baby was born, Solo decided to take a hiatus, and he called in his friend Eric (The E) to fill in.

Eric joined the Circus for the “Beautiful Glow” release and tour, and then at the end of the “Beautiful Glow” tour both Zurn and Blur felt a need to be off the road, and home with family.

Josiah, who had played with the band before, was brought back in to fill Blur's position on keyboards. “It was a natural progression when Blur decided to step down that we would bring Josiah back,” explained Gabriel. “He's been on other recordings we've done, and he's a steady lineup in me and Solo's producing work.”

Finding a replacement for Zurn was a little more interesting though. “Zurn had played drums with me for like twelve years, he and I go way back, and he's a very good friend,” said Gabriel. When Zurn felt like it was time to train a replacement he went into prayer to seek spiritual guidance, and he came out feeling like God was leading him towards Eric. “We didn't even know Eric could play the drums, and here he does,” exclaimed Gabriel. “In our opinion Eric is a great guitar player, but he is really coming to his own on the drums in the band.”

Having Eric shift to drums then opened the doors for Solo to return to his former position on Guitar. “Bringing Solo back was the most natural thing in the world for me, because he's like the closest thing to a little brother I've ever had,” says Gabriel.

The new lineup was official in March (2004) and the band began touring with Delirious in April (2004). The band began to play some new material live and it became highly requested at the merchandise table, so the band thought they should just record some of these new songs. At the end of the spring tour the band hit the studio to record “The Listening” EP. “The Listening” was recorded solely independent, as the band is no longer signed to a major label. “We didn't have a budget at all. We had to scrimp, borrow, and save for the $2000 it took for the studio time, and then we brought it back to our houses to mix,” said Gabriel.

The new EP came out with a definite retro 70's rock sound, and the bands influences are clearly heard. “It came out sort of Beatles “ Abby Road ” meets Pink Floyd's “Wish You Were Here,” said Gabriel. “It's very much a 70's recording.

When the Circus was asked to tour again with Delirious they sent ahead their EP to the members of Delirious. The group loved it and agreed to license it under their Fierce! Distribution. “It basically means we get to hand them this project and they put it out as-is,” explained Gabriel. The RRWC is now abroad and into the “World Service Tour,” hitting fourteen cities throughout England , Scotland , Ireland , and Wales .

As they tour the UK , the band is eager to work towards the future. As Gabriel summarizes; “To be honest, we have the future desire to play to whoever is hungry for God. I don't really care what venue that's in… I just love people that are hungry for truth and for God.”

- Ken W.