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A Genuine Freakshow

An artful blend of experimentalism and pop sensibility from Reading comprising the traditional rock ‘n’ roll facets of guitars, bass and drums but augmented by the less obvious additions of cello, violin and trumpet. A band that embrace the icy soundscapes of Sigur Ros but remain entranced by the possibilities of the pop song.

There’s no real way to tell when A Genuine Freakshow came into existence, as the group are fairly unsure themselves. It has been agreed, for the time being, that the official Reading based seven-piece line up was born in 2008. Previous experiments which saw them begin as “too pop to be challenging” and then swing the opposite way until they were “too post-rock to be fun” have been amended and developed to hit the sweet spot that remains their raison d’etre to this point.

Prior to that settled point, the band had already released a debut EP that all those still in the band from that time (those changes of personnel again) agree was the “too pop” point. In
what would become standard AGF fashion, the follow up 0.008% EP was, naturally, the “too post-rock” response. A musical equilibrium was found with the release of singles We Are
The Undercurrents in 2008 and its follow-up Holding Hearts – the latter making Tom Robinson’s Best Of 2008.

The band then entered the studio with producer Jordan Fish to completely re-record the album that had been taking shape throughout these single releases, so unhappy were they with the final
version mark one. A brave decision, some would say foolhardy, but one that is vindicated by the now complete debut album, Oftentimes, that finally ended its gestation in November 2010.Their
sound, while impressively focused, covers a range of musical staples, with the group letting influences from Mew to Elbow and The National surface throughout. Meanwhile, the seven settled into a touring schedule that saw them play over a hundred live festival, showcase, and headline tour shows from 2009 through 2010 and build a healthy, evangelical fanbase.

The journey of this firmly bonded septet – despite the notices from media names – has taken place through the old-fashioned world of word-of-mouth and touring. In keeping with that ethic Oftentimes comes to you via band-owned Peartree Records in cooperation with PIAS, all members making a firm decision to retain their ownership of their music and complete control over their musical destinies. In support of the album A Genuine Freakshow released singles I Can Feel His Heartbeats (October 2010), the razor-sharp Hopscotch Machine Gun Madness (March 2011), and have returned to the touring world for an extensive run of headline dates from April through June 2011, followed by festival appearances over the summer.

Details of upcoming shows alongside more information on the band and a special 2CD Deluxe Edition of Oftentimes can be found at……….