Pickled Punk

The Chicest Show On Earth

2008-09-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

Editorial: The Chicest Show On Earth

Models: Jessica Stam and Gabriel Aubrey

Photographer: Laspata DeCaro

You can see even more of this amazing shoot at stam-fan.org

The Ringmaster

2008-04-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

I've always loved Ringmasters. Who doesn't want to wear a top hat and run a three ring circus? But I never really thought about the origins of the ringmaster's outfit. I've always thought it looked like a cross between a riding outfit and something a bandleader would wear. A quick Wikipedia search and some cross-referencing proves I'm somewhat correct:

The ringmaster's outfit was designed to resemble a gentlemen's 18th century riding habit. It is said that ringleader George Claude Lockhart first adopted the look on the orders of British circus owner Bertram Mills, when Lockhart worked for Mills' circus at Olympia, London in 1924. His outfit included "pink" (scarlet) huntsmen tails, a black hat, white shirt and gloves, which has now become the look for the stereotypical ringmaster. A whip is still a standard part of the uniform, leftover from when ringmaster's would lead equestrian acts.

Below are some images of 18th century riding habits, as well as the ringmaster outfit in various forms. I tried to find some images of a man wearing a riding habit, but they are extraordinarily hard to find!

18th century riding habits

Ringmaster George Claude Lockhart and his signature cigar

Ringmaster Charlie Baxter from TV show "7's Circus"

A ringleader costume

Artist's take on the Ringmaster

Bandleader outfits as worn by band My Chemical Romance

Circus on the Runway

2008-04-09T15:23:00.001-07:00

I love runway fashion, and these circus inspired outfits are no exception.

Dior Fall 07 Couture Collection

Gareth Pugh Fall 06 Ready To Wear

I have no idea how the Gareth Pugh outfit could be Ready To Wear, but there you have it.

Goldfrapp

2008-04-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

Goldfrapp [Official Website] [Amazon]

Goldfrapp's fourth studio album, 'Seventh Tree' was released on February 26th 2008. It's quite different from their last album, 'Supernature' which was a disco-dance album with a good heaping of glitter. 'Seventh Tree' is a return to their roots (somewhat like 'Felt Mountain'), with a slower feel to it but keeping the cool electronic sound they are known for.

There are two tracks in particular that are circus tinged - the first being "Clowns" [Lyrics], a sad, melodic song, with lush strings, and the second being "Caravan Girl" [Lyrics], a fun, piano-driven song about running away to the circus.

If you like these songs the rest of the album is definetly worth a listen.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

2008-01-04T20:03:00.000-08:00

I went to see a movie the other day and saw the new Playstation commercial, which just so happened to use a circus-type of song! It's called Ladies and Gentlemen by Saliva, from their new album "Blood Stained Love Story". It's a song similar to Christina Aguilera's "Welcome", with a showman or ringmaster hyping the audience for the upcoming show- and it rocks pretty hard!

Ladies and Gentlemen by Saliva [Official Site] [Lyrics] [Music Video]

Ladies and gentlemen please
Would you bring your attention to me?
For a feast for your eyes to see
An explosion of catastrophe

Like nothing you've ever seen before
Watch closely as I open this door
Your jaws will be on the floor
After this you'll be begging for more

Welcome to the show
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

Beat Circus

2007-12-30T16:51:00.000-08:00

[Official Website] [Myspace]

Beat Circus is a band formed by singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Brain Carpenter. They have a fantastic CD called Ringleaders Revolt, a mix of circus and tango, with a twist. They also have a CD to be released in January 2008 called Dreamland, loosley based on the people of New York and Coney Island at the turn of the century- it has a very creepy feel to it. I can't wait to hear the rest!

You can learn more about Coney Island's Dreamland amusement park and the story behind the Dreamland album on Brian Carpenter's Myspace blog.

Paradise Park

2007-12-24T18:41:00.000-08:00

Paradise Park by Charles Mee [Official Site] [Script]

One of my favourite playwrights is Charles Mee, and he has a play called Paradise Park about a guy who goes to an amusement park and finds that it opens up onto all of America. It has a bunch of crazy characters including a ventriloquist and his dummies, and a guy in a mouse suit.

Paradise Park will have its world premiere with Signature Theatre Company in New York on February 12th 2008.

American Sideshow

2007-12-24T18:26:00.000-08:00

American Sideshow by Marc Hartzman [Amazon]

This is a great book to get an overview on the most popular 'freaks' of the sideshow, and even includes a history of the freakshow. Covers performers from the 1800's up to present day, with a bio's and pictures.

Christina Aguilera

2007-12-24T17:45:00.000-08:00

I'm a big Christina Aguilera fan and was suprised and pleased to find a few circus themed songs on her new retro CD, Back To Basics.

Christina Aguilera [Official Website] [Amazon]

Enter The Circus [Lyrics]
This one isn't really a song but spoken word pitch by a showman (not Christina, unless she's good with voices) talking a crowd into coming to see a show. An organ, strings and very creepy choir complete this number.

Welcome [Lyrics]
This is a fantastic song where Christina shows her range but otherwise doesn't go over the top, with a full orchestra backing her up. The lyrics start with "Welcome to the greatest show, the greatest show on earth you've ever seen before"- sounds like the circus to me!

Hurt [Lyrics] [YouTube] [Music Video Images]
'Hurt' isn't a circus song exactly but in the music video Christina plays the role of a circus performer, so I think of the circus whenever I hear this song.