What's new with Circus Bogus guitarist Charles McClelland?

Plus, rapper Otis Reed's signature burrito and I discover Soap (capital S).

To this day, Circus Bogus holds powerful sway with anyone who was lucky(??) enough to catch the band in its prime. For the rest of us, those were too young and impressionable and/or not living in Fresno at the time, the band exists only in legend.

The aesthetic was killer gypsy clown, or a glam version of “A Clockwork Orange.” The band’s members took on aliases, as one does with a project like this. There was Mr. Crapo, Hot Sex the Clown and Wifebeater.

And the actual performances …? Try writing about that in the daily newspaper.

“Circus Bogus was nuts. Seems like there was an ambulance at every show,” says Charles McClelland, who played guitar in the band and has recently remastered two of their albums for his LLAP Records.

“Pyramid Sessions” and “Sucker!” are available now at Bandcamp.

McClelland has also made available several tracks from his other band Buzzbomb Phase 4, which existed in Fresno around the same time (early ’90s). The tracks come from a 1993 session at Paramount Studios in Hollywood and were recorded by Andy Growcott of Dexy’s Midnight Runners/General Public.

Currently, McClelland is working on a solo project under the name Twerpentine. The first single, “How Far Down,” is groove-filled throwback to time when “alternative rock” meant just that. It would sit well on any early ’90s alt-rock playlist.

“How Far Down” is out now on Bandcamp and streaming platforms.

Ben’S’mokin’ BBQ + Otis Reed = Bravonator

Let me lead this with a hot take: burritos are better than tacos.

Now, let me recommend the Fresno catering company/smoke wagon Ben’S’mokin BBQ, which released two burritos last month that pay homage to area musicians.

First, they renamed the jumbo brisket burrito to the “Cloudship,” after the Fresno rock duo of the same name (check them out if you haven’t). Then, they took that burrito and switched out the rice for mac and cheese and called it The Bravonator, after rapper Otis Reed.

Reed has released a series of albums since 2013, including “Otis King: Return of the G” in 2017. His latest “Euphoria” is out now and features collaborations with guys like Mc Wicks, Felix Quinata and Ray Moore.

Reed also showed up on the Grizzly City Boys mixtape in 2015. The super group of Fresno rappers also included Fashawn, Halo and Omar Aura.

Soap, “Warning Label”

Soap is the moniker for Visalia “music maker” Sophie Flores.

“Warning Label” is the project’s debut single, a jazzy little spooky-sad rockabilly tune that draws quick comparisons to Lana Del Rey (with Amy Winehouse vocals).

Not much to say here other than I like this and hope there is a full album in the works.

“Warning Label” is available on streaming platforms now.

If you have anything you think I need to be looking at or listening to, feel free to let me know: jtehee@gmail.com