# Prime Circle
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{{short description|South African rock band}}
{{other uses|Prime circle (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use South African English|date=September 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Prime Circle
| image =
| landscape =
| origin = [Johannesburg](/source/Johannesburg), South Africa
| genre = {{hlist|[Alternative rock](/source/Alternative_rock)|[hard rock](/source/hard_rock)|[pop rock](/source/pop_rock)|[post-grunge](/source/post-grunge)}}
| label = David Gresham Records, [EMI](/source/EMI), [Universal Music](/source/Universal_Music), Electro Mode, [Virgin Records](/source/Virgin_Records)
| years_active = 2000–present
| website = {{URL|www.primecircleband.com}}
| current_members = * Marco Gomes
* Dale Schnettler
* Dirk Bisschoff
* Neil Breytenbach
* Gavin Edwards
| past_members = * Ross Learmonth
* Gerhard Venter
}}
'''[Prime Circle](/source/Prime_Circle)''' are a South African rock band, based in [Johannesburg](/source/Johannesburg). The band has released 8 studio albums[{{Cite news|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/prime-circle-still-getting-around-to-writing-new-albums-and-touring-11329877|title=Prime Circle still getting around to writing new albums and touring {{!}} IOL Entertainment|access-date=1 August 2018|language=en}}] and achieved either gold or platinum status in South Africa. The band has expanded its audience to England and Europe where they are represented by a German agent and have signed an international recording deal,[{{Cite news|url=http://www.transafricaradio.net/index.php/2017/12/06/29418/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155149/http://www.transafricaradio.net/index.php/2017/12/06/29418/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=1 August 2018|title=Prime Circle takes 'Pretty like the sun' on the road – Transafricaradio|date=6 December 2017|work=Transafricaradio|access-date=1 August 2018|language=en-US}}] performing at festivals and their own shows in Germany.[{{Cite web|url=https://therockriff.wordpress.com/tag/david-gresham-record-company/|title=David Gresham Record Company {{!}} The Rock Riff|website=therockriff.wordpress.com|language=en|access-date=1 August 2018}}] The band signed with independent local label, David Gresham Records in 2002, whose first two albums are considered to have defined the band's signature sound and style.[{{Cite news|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/prime-circle-flying-high-970870|title=Prime Circle flying high {{!}} IOL Entertainment|access-date=1 August 2018|language=en}}] From 2014 Prime Circle release Let The Night in, If you Don't you Never Will and Live World through with Electro Mode.
== Career landmarks ==
=== 2016 ===
* The single, 'Ghosts', reached the Top 150 of Germany's weekly airplay charts.[{{Cite news|url=http://dwrdistribution.co.za/prime-circle-invests-dot2-south-africas-famous-rock-band-fell-love-mas-console/|title=Prime Circle invests in dot2: South Africa's famous rock band fell in love with MA's console|date=14 September 2016|work=DWR Distribution {{!}} Stage Lighting Equipment|access-date=1 August 2018|language=en-US}}]
* Performed at ''Rock im Revier''[{{Cite news|url=https://metal-heads.de/konzertberichte/rock-im-revier-tag-1-prime-circle-powerwolf-garbage-mando-diao/|title=ROCK IM REVIER – TAG 1: PRIME CIRCLE, POWERWOLF, GARBAGE, MANDO DIAO – metal-heads.de|date=27 May 2016|work=metal-heads.de|access-date=1 August 2018|language=de-DE}}] and ''Rockavaria''[{{Cite web|url=https://www.apesmetal.com/en/pictures/prime-circle|title=Prime Circle played the Olympiastadion at Rockavaria 2016 in Munich – APES METAL|last=apesmetal.com|first=Manuel Miksche -|website=www.apesmetal.com|access-date=1 August 2018}}] in Germany.
* Performed alongside [Iron Maiden](/source/Iron_Maiden) and [Iggy Pop](/source/Iggy_Pop) at ''Rock in Vienna''[{{Cite web|url=https://www.festicket.com/festivals/rock-in-vienna/2016/|title=Rock in Vienna 2016|website=Festicket|language=en-gb|access-date=1 August 2018}}] in Austria as part of their 30-day tour to promote their first official European release, ''Let the Night In'' ''(Deluxe Edition).''[{{Cite news|url=https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Local/PE-Express/Prime-Circle-brings-new-album-to-PE-20150622|title=Prime Circle brings new album to PE|work=News24|access-date=1 August 2018|language=en}}]
* Headlined at [Kieler Woche](/source/Kieler_Woche), Hamburg Harley Days,[{{Cite web|url=https://www.logohamburg.de/programm-detail.php?datum=2017-10-03&quelle=home|title=Programm {{!}} Prime Circle (ZAF) {{!}} LOGO Hamburg – Rock'n'Roll since 1974|website=www.logohamburg.de|language=en|access-date=1 August 2018}}] (the biggest annual [Harley Davidson](/source/Harley-Davidson) gathering in Germany) and the [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League) Festival in [Milan](/source/Milan).[{{Cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/022d-0e163586078b-e77e3a6095d1-1000--where-and-when-uefa-champions-festival-in-milan/|title=Where and when: UEFA Champions Festival in Milan|last=UEFA.com|work=[UEFA](/source/UEFA)|access-date=1 August 2018|language=en}}]
* Booked from July to September, to open as special guests for [The BossHoss](/source/The_BossHoss) at a series of German festivals.[{{Cite news|url=https://metal-heads.de/behind-the-scenes/metal-heads-de-im-interview-mit-ross-learmonth-von-prime-circle/|title=Metal-heads.de im Interview mit Ross Learmonth von PRIME CIRCLE – metal-heads.de|date=31 May 2016|work=metal-heads.de|access-date=1 August 2018|language=de-DE}}]
* Invited to headline the Rock Auf Der Burg Königstein[{{Cite news|url=http://www.taunus-zeitung.de/lokales/hochtaunus/vordertaunus/Sturm-auf-die-Festival-Festung;art48711,2177461|title=Rock auf der Burg in Königstein: Sturm auf die Festival-Festung {{!}} Taunus Zeitung|last=Zeitung|first=Taunus|access-date=1 August 2018|language=de}}] and the Pflasterfest[{{Cite news|url=http://www.neue-woche.com/nachrichten-hameln/partywochenende-pflasterfest-2016|title=Partywochenende in der Hamelner Altstadt – Pflasterfest 2016|last=Knop|first=Michelle|date=18 August 2016|work=neue Woche|access-date=1 August 2018|language=de-DE}}] in [Hameln](/source/Hameln-Pyrmont), Germany.
=== Awards and nominations ===
Prime Circle have won several [South African Music Awards](/source/South_African_Music_Awards) for their albums and music videos, including Best Music Video of the Year at the SAMA XXI category as well as nominated for the [MTV Africa Music Awards](/source/MTV_Africa_Music_Awards) for Best Pop & Alternative Act and Best Music Video of the Year for their single DOORS off their album Let The Night In. The band was also nominated for Best Artist in African Rock at the All Africa Music Awards.
In 2023 Afri-Indie awarded Prime Circle the Highest Honour: Rock Royalty Award
== Concert tours ==
'''2007:''' [Dubai Desert Rock Festival](/source/Dubai_Desert_Rock_Festival), Dubai.
Headliners for Dubai Desert Rock Festival included the likes of [Iron Maiden](/source/Iron_Maiden), [Stone Sour](/source/Stone_Sour), [In Flames](/source/In_Flames), [Incubus](/source/Incubus_(band)), [Prodigy](/source/The_Prodigy), [The Bravery](/source/The_Bravery) and more.
'''2010:''' [Rock 'n India](/source/Rock_'n_India), India.
'''2011:''' Reload Festival [https://reload-festival.de/], Germany.
Headliners ranged from [Dropkick Murphys](/source/Dropkick_Murphys), [Slash](/source/Slash_(musician)) feat. [Myles Kennedy](/source/Myles_Kennedy) & [The Conspirators](/source/The_Conspirators_(band)), [Guano Apes](/source/Guano_Apes), [Puddle of Mudd](/source/Puddle_of_Mudd) and more.
'''2012:''' Homelandz Festival [http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/homelanz], UK.
'''2014:''' [Graspop Metal Meeting](/source/Graspop_Metal_Meeting), Belgium.
Played on the main stage alongside headliners [Black Sabbath](/source/Black_Sabbath), [Carcass](/source/Carcass_(band)) and [Napalm Death](/source/Napalm_Death).
'''2016: '''Stage was shared with the likes of [Rammstein](/source/Rammstein), [Slayer](/source/Slayer), [Anthrax](/source/Anthrax_(American_band)), [Babymetal](/source/Babymetal), [Iggy Pop](/source/Iggy_Pop), [Biffy Clyro](/source/Biffy_Clyro), [Monster Truck](/source/Monster_Truck_(band)), [Nightwish](/source/Nightwish), [Shinedown](/source/Shinedown), and [Iron Maiden](/source/Iron_Maiden).
* [2016 UEFA Champions League Final](/source/2016_UEFA_Champions_League_Final), Milan.
* Live from the official football festival of the UEFA Champions League.[https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/live-coverage/index.html#/]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
* Rock im Revier Festival [https://www.festicket.com/festivals/rock-im-revier/rock-im-revier/], Dortmund.
* Rockavaria Festival [https://www.festicket.com/festivals/rockavaria/2016/], Munich.
* Rock in Vienna [https://www.festicket.com/festivals/rock-in-vienna/2016/], Austria.
'''2017:''' [O2 Academy Islington](/source/O2_Academy_Islington), London.
'''2017:''' Snow Tunes Festival [http://www.snowtunes.com.au/lineup/], Australia.
== Awards and nominations ==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width: 100%"
|-
!Year
!Organisation
!Award
!Nominated
!Result
|-
|rowspan="2" |2005
|Johannesburg Choice Award
|Johannesburg Choice Award
|Prime Circle
|style="background: #99FF99;" |Won
|-
|FHM
|FHM Awards
|Prime Circle
|style="background: #99FF99;" |Won
|-
|rowspan="2" |2009
|rowspan="2" |SAMA Awards
|Record of the Year
|"She always gets what she wants"
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Best Rock Album – English
|''All or Nothing''
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|rowspan="2" |2010
|rowspan="2" |SAMA Awards
|Record of the Year
|"Consider Me"
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Best Global Chart Live DVD
|''All or Nothing LIVE DVD''
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|rowspan="7"|2011
|td rowspan="6"|SAMA Awards
|Record of the Year
|"Breathing"
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Album of the Year
|''Jekyll & Hyde''
|style="background: #99FF99;" |Won
|-
|Best Duo or Group
|Prime Circle
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Best Rock Album
|''Jekyll & Hyde''
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Best Producer
|Theo Crous: ''Jekyll & Hyde''
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Best Album Packaging
|''Jekyll & Hyde''
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|MK
|International Break Through Act
|Prime Circle
|style="background: #99FF99;" |Won
|-
|2012
|SAMA Awards
|Record of the Year
|"Turning in my sleep"
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|rowspan="3"|2013
|rowspan="3"|SAMA Awards
|Best Rock Album
|''Evidence''
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Best Video
|"Evidence"
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Best Producer
|Theo Crous: ''Evidence''
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|rowspan="8"|2015
|Short&Sweet Music Video Awards[Short & Sweet {{cite web |url=http://shortandsweet.tv/music-video-awards/ |title=www.shortandsweetMVA.tv | Short & Sweet |access-date=1 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406023910/http://shortandsweet.tv/music-video-awards/ |archive-date=6 April 2015 }}. Retrieved on 2 April 2015]
|Best Rock Video
|"Doors"
|style="background: #99FF99;"|Won
|-
|rowspan="4"|SAMA Awards[SAMA 21 Nominees [https://www.channel24.co.za/Music/News/These-are-all-the-2015-Sama-winners-so-far-20150419]. Retrieved on 2 April 2015]
|Best Rock Album
|''Let The Night In''
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Best Producer of the Year
|Denholm Harding: ''Let The Night In''
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Best Engineer
|Brendyn Rossouw: ''Let The Night In''
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Music Video of the Year
|"Let The Night In"
|style="background: #99FF99;" |Won
|-
|rowspan="2" |MTN Africa Music Awards
|Video of the Year
|"Doors"
|style="background: #99FF99;" |Won
|-
|Best Pop & Alternative
|Prime Circle
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated[MAMA 2015 Nominees {{cite web |url=http://mama.mtv.com/news/nominations-are-revealed-for-18-july-showstopper/ |title=MAMA 2015 - #MTVMAMA2015 Nominees Announced! |access-date=11 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614004855/http://mama.mtv.com/news/nominations-are-revealed-for-18-july-showstopper/ |archive-date=14 June 2015 }}. Retrieved on 12 June 2015]
|-
|All African Music Awards[Afrima 2015 Nominees {{cite web |url=http://www.afrima.org/index.php/voting/contenental-categories/continental-categories/best-african-rock |title=Best African Rock |access-date=1 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006101305/http://www.afrima.org/index.php/voting/contenental-categories/continental-categories/best-african-rock |archive-date=6 October 2015 }}. Retrieved 2 October 2015]
|Best African Rock
|Prime Circle
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|rowspan="2" |2018
|rowspan="2" |SAMA Awards
|Best Rock Album
|"If you don't you never will"
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Duo/Group of the year
|Prime Circle
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|rowspan="2" |2025
|rowspan="2" |Afri indi Awards
|Best Rock Album
|"The World We Know"
|style="background: #99FF99;" |Won
|-
|Duo/Group of the year
|Prime Circle
|style="background: #99FF99;" |Won
|-
|rowspan="2" |2025
|rowspan="2" |SAMA Awards
|Best Rock Album
|"The World We Know"
|style="background: #FDD;" |Nominated
|-
|Duo/Group of the year
|Prime Circle
|style="background: #FDD;" |
|}
== Band members ==
;Current members
* Dale Schnettler – [drums](/source/Drum_kit), [percussion](/source/Percussion_instrument), [backing vocals](/source/backing_vocals) (2008-present)
* Marco Gomes – [bass](/source/Bass_guitar), backing vocals (2000-present)
* Dirk Bisschoff – [guitars](/source/Guitar) (2000-present)
* Neil Breytenbach – [keyboards](/source/Keyboard_instrument) (2007-present)
* Gavin Edwards – [lead vocals](/source/Lead_vocalist), guitars (2024-present)
;Former members
* Gerhard Venter – drums, backing vocals, percussion (2000-2008)
* Ross Learmonth – lead vocals, guitars (2000-2023)
===Timeline===
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Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/12/2000 till:01/11/2025
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Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:2001
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2001
Colors =
id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals
id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:piano value:purple legend:Piano
id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals
id:album value:black legend:Studio_album
id:bars value:gray(0.95)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
BarData =
bar:Ross text:"Ross Learmonth"
bar:Gavin text:"Gavin Edwards"
bar:Dirk text:"Dirk Bisschoff"
bar:Marco text:"Marco Gomes"
bar:Neil text:"Neil Breytenbach"
bar:Gerhard text:"Gerhard Venter"
bar:Dale text:"Dale Schnettler"
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bar:Ross from:start till:05/12/2023 color:guitar width:3
bar:Marco from:start till:end color:bass
bar:Marco from:start till:end color:bvocals width:3
bar:Dirk from:start till:end color:guitar
bar:Neil from:01/06/2007 till:end color:piano
bar:Dale from:01/10/2008 till:end color:drums
bar:Dale from:01/10/2008 till:end color:bvocals width:3
bar:Gerhard from:start till:01/10/2008 color:drums
bar:Gerhard from:start till:01/10/2008 color:bvocals width:3
bar:Gavin from:01/01/2024 till:end color:lvocals
bar:Gavin from:01/01/2024 till:end color:guitar width:3
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at:01/07/2002
at:29/08/2005
at:18/07/2008
at:09/09/2010
at:12/11/2012
at:21/05/2014
at:22/09/2017
at:01/11/2024
== Discography ==
{{Main|Prime Circle discography}}
=== Studio albums ===
* ''[Hello Crazy World](/source/Hello_Crazy_World)'' (2002)
* ''[Live This Life](/source/Live_This_Life_(Prime_Circle_album))'' (2005)
* ''[All or Nothing](/source/All_or_Nothing_(Prime_Circle_album))'' (2008)
* ''[Jekyll & Hyde](/source/Jekyll_and_Hyde_(Prime_Circle_album))'' (2010)
* ''[Evidence](/source/Evidence_(Prime_Circle_album))'' (2012)
* ''[Let the Night In](/source/Let_The_Night_In_(Prime_Circle_album))'' (2014)
* ''Let the Night In (Deluxe Edition)'' (2016)
* ''If You Don't You Never Will'' (2017)
* ''The World We Know'' (2024)
=== Compilations, special releases, Live Albums and DVD releases ===
* ''[Hello Crazy World](/source/Hello_Crazy_World) (Special Edition)'' (2003)
* ''[Hello Crazy World](/source/Hello_Crazy_World) (Double Disk Edition)'' (2004)
* ''Living in a Crazy World'' (Live DVD) (26 June 2006)
* ''[Living in a Crazy World](/source/Live_This_Life_(Prime_Circle_album))'' (CD/DVD) (2007)
* ''[The Best of Prime Circle](/source/The_Best_of_Prime_Circle)'' (5 October 2007)
* ''[All or Nothing](/source/All_or_Nothing_(Prime_Circle_album))'' (Live DVD) (20 March 2009)
* ''All or Nothing'' (International Release) (19 June 2009)
* ''[The Ultimate Prime Circle](/source/The_Ultimate_Prime_Circle)'' (1 September 2010)
* ''[Live World](/source/Live_World)'' (29 November 2019)
== See also ==
* [List of South African musicians](/source/List_of_South_African_musicians)
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.primecircleband.com}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Prime Circle (Band)}}
Category:South African rock music groups
Category:Musical groups from Johannesburg
---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Prime Circle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Circle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Circle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.