The Band

The radiant Southern-California-based rock band Circus Train is best described as classic rock with a free-form improvisational live show. The band released it’s self-titled CD in 1999, and toured the Los Angeles and Inland Empire for many years. A second complete album was in the works at that time, and will now be released in late 2025. It will include finished tracks with the original band member recordings.

Review by Relix Magazine

“Circus Train is an impressive Los Angeles-based quartet…

…the group proves to be a musically proficient outfit with a vigorous sound…

…gets into some tenacious rock grooves in several cuts, especially in the 11-minute “Make Us Real”…

…also noteworthy is the more expansive and original “Roll Away the Stone…

…This band is well worth checking out.”

(Entire review is posted below)

(c) 2000 – used with permission from Relix Magazine – Summer Issue, June 1, 2000

About the Artist

Known for their well-crafted songs and improvisational live shows, the band first met together as friends in 1992. During those initial meetings they recorded their “jams” and made copies of the tapes for themselves and their friends. Over the next several years they found they could not stop listening to the tapes. Their friends requested bootleg copies of the music and they also could not stop listening to the tapes.

In 1997 the original band members met together and decided to seriously become a band. What followed was one year of rehearsals and writing songs together in a converted Glendora garage, 7 months of recording a CD, and years of playing together in live club settings and outdoor venues.

To our friends, family and fans…

As many of you know, along the way, we have lost 2 dear friends and band-mates, Moon Otter and Robert Balow. We are forever grateful to our brothers for their incredible friendship, their Love and heartfelt support in life, and in creating music together. Deeply missed by all, we feel our brothers close by each day that passes.

2025 Plans:

More live show recordings from past events are premiering on YouTube throughout the year.

Circus Train’s 2nd complete album release is in production, and is planned for release in late 2025.

Current Band Members:

Gary Barlough

Tom Strickfaden II

Original Band Members In Memoriam:

Robert Balow

Moon Otter

Intriguing band member background snips include:

Gary Barlough (G. Zenny): Studied music and guitar at USC, plays keyboards as well. He performs some songs with a double-neck instrument with a guitar plus keyboard attached, hand crafted by Robert Balow. Gary works out of his Southern California studio and has worked with Pink Floyd, YES, and Kitaro wearing different hats of synthesist / programmer, keyboardist, engineer, or producer.

Tom Strickfaden II: Has directed videos for DOKKEN. He and Barlough grew up together as childhood friends. Both came from musical backgrounds, as Gary’s father Ernie Barlough (violin), and Tom’s mother Joy Strickfaden (piano) performed together at social events in their youth.

Moon Otter: As a visual artist, Moon’s design for the Grateful Dead’s 25th Anniversary was one of three chosen by the band. Had a personal friendship with Jerry Garcia and did animation work and artwork for him. Bassist Phil Lesh was spotted wearing Moon’s artwork on tee-shirts during performances.

Robert Balow: Worked at Fender Guitars and hand crafted his own guitars, giving many of them away to friends.

Moon Otter, Robert Balow, and Gary Barlough first played together at the studio of Jon Anderson (YES) in the Hollywood Hills.

Circus Train logo & art by Moon Otter

Fractal designs by Tom Strickfaden II

“Tracks” photo by Robert Balow

All songs written by Circus Train

Circus Train CD review in

RELIX Magazine:

Circus Train

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