A II Z

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A II Z
OriginManchester, England
GenresHeavy metal
Years active1979–1982
LabelsPolydor

A II Z were an English heavy metal band founded in 1979 in Manchester by guitarist Gary Owens. The original line-up consisted of Owens on guitar, Owens' brother David on vocals, Cam Campbell on bass, and Karl Reti on drums. For a short time, the band was one of the forerunners of the new wave of British heavy metal movement.[1] They disbanded in 1982.

Career[]

A II Z (named after the A–Z Street Atlas) were the beneficiaries of fortuitous timing, being formed just in time (late 1979) to be swept up in the initial excitement surrounding the new wave of British heavy metal. The group, whose style bore resemblances to Motörhead, Sweet Savage and Weapon, was immediately signed by a major label and recorded their 1980 debut album The Witch of Berkeley live at a hometown gig (actually the hall of Hazel Grove High School). They then set out on the road in support of Girlschool and Iron Maiden.[1] 1981's No Fun After Midnight EP and the single "I'm the One Who Loves You" followed. Internal dissension led Owens to dispense with the group's original rhythm section to work with new bassist Tony Backhouse and drummer Simon Wright (later of AC/DC) on their final single.[1] However, the quartet's new and more commercial AOR direction failed to bear fruit, and by the middle of 1982, A II Z were dropped from their record label and disbanded. Guitarist Gary Owens went on to join the similarly ill-fated NWOBHM band Tytan.[1] Reborn Classics reissued The Witch of Berkeley in 1993 as a bootleg CD which included both singles as well as a four-track demo from Jaguar. Majestic Rock officially re-released The Witch of Berkeley in 2006 and also included the two singles and their B-sides.

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

  • The Witch of Berkeley (live) LP (Polydor 1980)

Singles and EPs[]

  • "No Fun After Midnight" 7"/12" (Polydor 1981)
  • "I'm the One Who Loves You" 7" (Polydor 1981)

Reissue[]

  • The Witch of Berkeley Bootleg CD (1993 Reborn Classics)
  • The Witch of Berkeley CD (2006 Majestic Rock)

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 5. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""