Russian Circles

Lots of changes in the instru-metal world of Chicago's Russian Circles: First and foremost, they've signed to Seattle label Suicide Squeeze, home of Minus the Bear, Page France, and fellow Chicagoans Chin Up Chin Up.

The signing is accompanied by a KGB-like flurry of personnel changes as well. While drummer Dave Turncrantz and guitarist Mike Sullivan remain in the band, they have parted ways with bassist Colin DeKupier. In his stead, they have recruited former Botch/current These Arms Are Snakes bassist Brian Cook for recording purposes, though he is not a full-time member of the band.

Another Botch associate, producer Matt Bayles (also producer for Mastodon and Minus the Bear), will help RC record their follow-up to last year's Enter in December. The album is tentatively planned for a spring or summer release on their new label.

But in this trying time of departed band members, temporary fill-ins, and tentative release dates, one thing is for certain: Russian Circles have three dates scheduled for the rest of this year, the first of which is November 29 in Seattle.