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William was a Selected New Folk Finalist at The Kerrville Folk Festival "William Brooks' raw emotions expode on this new CD...my grinding hips are no longer under my control whenever I put BITTER CIRCUS in my player...I better stop driving while listening to this CD...listen for yourself!" -Lisa Masters New York City "William Brooks combines an unforgettable beat (rythym) with clever, soulful lyrics to help you remember why you listen to music!" -Carol Wainwright Bethesda Maryland Can You imagine what a dream band with Van Morrison, Elton John, Neil Young, Tom Petty and John Melloncamp would sound like? Curious? So was Sawhorse Records, the renowned independent music label. We took William Brooks' award winning talents as a singer/songwriter and turned things up more than just a few notches by adding Aaron Stroessner's (Dead Left) innovative guitar playing, recording and producing skills. "Bitter Circus" - the most unique sounding William Brooks album yet. You've probably heard William Brooks' other albums. Perhaps "Silent Wings", "Karma Dogs", "Buffalo Treason" or "Fowl Mouth" recordings are in your CD box right now. Great records, aren't they? Now, "Bitter Circus" takes an even closer look at this incredibly raw, reclusive artist in a way it's never been done before. The angle is so different that you better prepare yourself for a big surprise, a positively shocking one. After 20 years in New York City, playing each and every club, dive and subway this native Oklahoman has created his own unique urban alternative country rock sound. Like Bruce Sprinsteen and Bob Dylan, William Brooks delivers honestly the story of each song. "Bitter Circus" takes you on a trip. You are transported through songs born and woodshed at such historic New York City rock venues as CBGB's, Tramps, Arlene Grocery and The Continental. It's also a stop in rock 'n soul heaven by way ofMuscle Shoals, Alabama where Lyle Lovett's horn section dips a few songs in their gospel waters. Next Boston, Mass. lays down it's blues piano soundson several tracks with Peter Adams of Carly Simon, Julianna Hatfield and Tracy Bonham fame. And through all these 12 great songs runs the single distinct thread of William Brooks' unique lyrics, mesmerizing voice and wit. ......I've had an incredible experience working with some great musicians on all of these recordings..many of them have recorded and performed with these major artists....Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, Tom Constanten (member of The Grateful Dead), Stevie Nicks, Moby, Rasputina, Sarah McLachlan, Carly Simon, Percy Sledge, Silverchair, Ben Folds Five, Lisa Loeb, Suzanne Vega, Tracy Bonham, Matt "guitar" Murphy (from The Blues Brothers), Chrissie Hynde, Laura Nyro, Rosanne Cash and Marshall Crenshaw THIS IS ABOUT AS MUCH AS I CAN REMEMBER ABOUT ME: I grew up in a small Oklahoma town and have retained most of what that means...courtesy, manners, and a great love of malls.....I was raised in a house full of women so I learned early to leave the lid down and knock before I walk into a room...I've lived in NYC for many years and I still smile at strangers, which usually gets me a lotta strange looks back. There are so many psychos in this town that girls don't smile back anymore and guys think I'm trying to pick them up....Jeeez...In the words of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" My first 5 years in NYC was one VERY lost weekend, I stepped inside my first Irish pub and didn't leave for 5 years...After my head cleared a bit I eventually figured what I wanted to do, I wanted to be the fifth Beatle but it was too late..so I started writing my own songs as a hobby and of course to impress girls..I did take me a while to realize that while I was busy singing to people at parties, the other guys were snagging the girls..Now I don't sing at parties anymore.... I do perform in clubs with my rock band. do some solo gigs and I love trying out new songs down in the NYC Subway System...You will always get an honest reaction down there...If they love ya you'll know it ... I even have a music video on the web if you'd like to see me make a complete fool out of myself. Just kidding....it's pretty cool....it's at Zebox.com. While I was perorming down in Kerrville Texas at The Folk FestivalI realized I am not a folk artist, I am a folk rocker. There is a huge difference I love movies, prank phone calls, sushi, buffalos, horses, political news, bad jokes, Tex-Mex, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Ricki Lee Jones, to laugh, the A minor chord, long silences and old Ford Mustangs..Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!! AND HERE IS MY (clearing my throat sound) FORMAL BIO: William Brooks' story reads like a pack of lies but swears it's all true. William was born and raised just north of The Red River and a tad south of The Arbuckle Mountains in southern Oklahoma. After a dismal, failed attempt at working in the oil business, Brooks packed up camp and moved to New York City. After crashing on the floor of noted author Brett Leveridge(Men My Mother Dated) he finally settled down in what he considers the smallest apartment in NYC's last great red-light district, Hell's Kitchen. William has acted in about a dozen movies and TV shows. He has been detained by police on several occasions but never actually arrested, got caught in a revolving door with Bob Dylan, jumped out of more than 7 perfectly good airplanes, waitered in a Chinese restaurant earning the nickname "Sing Ging Ping" which translates to "Neurons Don't Meet", saw the Beatles in concert, has seen at least 4 ghosts, none of which he knew and is most proud of writing 2 songs with critically acclaimed Rick Moody, author of The Ice Storm. Native Oklahoman William Brooks has played many of Gotham's most notable digs from The Stephen Talkhouse, The Public Theater, The Continental Divide, Arlene Grocery, Wetlands, Webster Hall and CBGB`s to Tramps and Fez. Here are a few thoughts on the songs from Bitter Circus 1. The Gift (brooks) This is a solid rocker and probably my best guitar hook. Ironic how this loud, fast tune is about that "tiny inner voice". I'll try to avoid the word "ironic" in the rest of these descriptions as well as quotation marks. 2. Try it Like This (brooks/yules) You gotta keep the wild thing fresh.Those horns are real and were recorded in Muscle Shoals, Ala. 3. Seven Promises (brooks/hackett) My first writing collaboration with Robin Hackett. When you are on the road you miss many things...and you make many promises to yourself..some you keep..some you hope to keep and others get lost. 4. Ole' Soledad (brooks/long) This lonely country vibe blues tune is always a favorite with the kitchen staff no matter where we play it. This may be my first recording with curse words. Gotta love internet radio. 5. Beggar (brooks/cohen) in this recording I wanted to capture some of the rootsy honesty I always heard in THE BAND. Here I vow not to take anymore crap from certain members of the opposite sex that I may find attractive on any given day. 6. A Different State of Mind (brooks/hackett) This upbeat Stonesy rocker is about leaving this mortal coil via an old truck, some beer and a very stubborn Black Oak tree. The horns were recorded down in Muscle Shoals, Ala. With Lyle LovettÃs touring horn section. 7. The Hanging Of Allen Scott Johnson (brooks) IÃve been sitting on a very old resentment for way too long. So I figured IÃd drag this manÃs name through the mud a bit. Feels good. You will love the lap steel too. 8. Upstairs With Leslie (brooks) I just love this folk-pop song, it is fun to play, sing and perform. It has one of the most common themes in my music. Boy sees girl, boy wants girl, girl hauls ass. It's got that whole happy/sad thing going. 9. Is There Anybody There (brooks) This groove piece was a last-second choice in the studio, I'm glad I trusted my instincts. It's a prayer..one of doubt, but still a prayer. 10. My love Looks The Other Way (brooks/bays/thomas) Another tune well served by The Muscle Shoals Horns. My cousin Carter and his buddy Craig started this tune and let me finish it. I think it's about letting your lover slide a Bit. 11. She's Right Over There (brooks) Peter Adam's piano really makes this very hip tune. I don't easily write love songs but I seem to write obsession songs with great ease. 12. Barn Near a Big House (brooks) This is my second recording of this jam piece. It's way more rocking than the original. Aaron Stroessner really plays the hell outta his Telecaster on this one. Check out the artist's website: http://bittercircus.com Track List: 1. The Gift 2. Try It Like This 3. Seven Promises 4. Ole' Soledad 5. Beggar 6. A Different State of Mind 7. The Hanging of Allen Scott Johnson 8. Upstairs With Leslie 9. Is There Anybody There? 10. My Love Looks The Other Way 11. She's Right Over There 12. 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