Stone Circus built of high-energy rock

Watching Stone Circus on stage is like witnessing an explosion of rock ‘n’ roll music take place right before your eyes.

“We do the high-energy thing because it’s kind of what comes natural,” says Ian Barclay, lead singer of the Maine-based band.

Dressed in a vest, spandex shorts, wristbands and high-top sneakers, Barclay detonates a party atmosphere among club hoppers when he picks up the microphone during a recent gig at Babe’s in Brewer. The enthusiastic rocker dances across the stage as he belts out tunes and chats with members of the crowd.

“Does anybody wanna shake with us?” he asks.

This frenzied combination of music and dancing is the name of the game for members of Stone Circus, explains the Lewiston man.

“I like to see people have a good time,” Barclay says. “That’s what this band is basically all about — is getting out there and having a good time.”

In addition to Barclay, Stone Circus consists of drummer Ron Bouffard of Bowdoinham, lead guitarist Jerry Perron of Lewiston, bass guitarist Mike Boilard of Waterboro and soundboard operator Tony Look of Augusta.

The band, which performs nearly every weekend at clubs across the state, leaves no stone unturned in trying to satisfy the musical cravings of rock ‘n’ roll fans. The group’s sets range from covers of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” to K.C. and the Sunshine Band’s “Get Down Tonight.”

“I enjoy playing what people like the most,” Barclay says. “I’m just free as a bird.”

Although Stone Circle covers the songs of other artists, the band’s arrangements on these numbers give them a new flavor. Bouffard’s pounding drumbeats, along with the guitar stylings of Perron and Boilard, give a hard rock ‘n’ roll edge even to songs that were once disco favorites.

Barclay adds that no two of Stone Circle’s performances are the same. The 33-year-old singer says the group’s sets are spontaneous and he often breaks into the lyrics of one song while the band is playing a completely different number.

“I do that a lot, not so much for the average person who’s coming in because they probably don’t know the difference, but you have people like your waitresses, your bartenders, your regulars — the ones that come to see you all the time,” Barclay says. “I always have something du jour up my sleeve.”

Stone Circle is also working on writing some songs and plans to record an album within a year. The band does not perform any of its original material on stage yet.

“We hint at it and play a few ditties but we want a really polished product for them,” Barclay says.

Though Stone Circle’s songwriting abilities have not been fully tested, the group’s energy could indeed translate into an animated album. A Stone Circle release would probably make a good album to pop into the stereo during the most raucous of parties.

Barclay says it’s difficult to make time to get into the studio and record with a busy road schedule. The traveling and preshow preparation involved in road gigs can be stressful for band members, he says, adding that it’s all well worth the effort.

“You’re just about on stress 10 and then the show starts and it’s like the stress starts to release. As the show kicks into gear, the stress levels go down and the fun level goes up,” Barclay says. “Then you’re glad to be there.”