A II Z
Encyclopedia
A II Z was a heavy metal
band founded in 1979 in Manchester
, England
by guitarist Gary Owens. The original lineup consisted of David Owens (vocals), Gary Owens (guitar
), Cam Campbell (bass
), Karl Reti (drum
s). For a short time they were one of the forerunners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. They disabanded in 1982.
. Immediately signed by major label Polydor, the group, whose style bore resemblances to Motörhead, Sweet Savage
and Weapon
, recorded their 1980 debut album named The Witch of Berkeley, live at a hometown gig (actually the hall of Hazel Grove High School
), then were sent out on the road in support of Girlschool
and Black Sabbath
. Neither of these experiences aided record sales, however, and following releases for Polydor 1981's "No Fun After Midnight" EP and "I'm the One Who Loves You", were dropped. Internal dissension had also taken root by this time and the Owens had in fact dispensed with their original rhythm section to work with new bassist Tony Backhouse and drummer Simon Wright (future AC/DC
) on that final single. But the quartet's new and more commercial AOR direction failed to bear fruit and by the middle of 1982, A II Z dissolved. Guitarist Gary Owens joined the similarly ill-fated NWOBHM band; Tytan
.
In 1993, Reborn Classics reissued The Witch of Berkeley as a bootleg CD which includes both singles as well as a four track demo from Jaguar
. In 2006 Majestic Rock officially re-released The Witch of Berkeley and also included the two singles and their b-sides.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band founded in 1979 in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
by guitarist Gary Owens. The original lineup consisted of David Owens (vocals), Gary Owens (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Cam Campbell (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), Karl Reti (drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s). For a short time they were one of the forerunners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. They disabanded in 1982.
Career
Manchester's A II Z (named after street-finder atlases) were the beneficiaries of fortuitous timing, being formed by brothers Dave (vocals) and Gary Owens (guitar), Cam Campbell (bass), and Karl Reti (drums), just in time (late 1979) to be swept up by the initial, deafening hubbub surrounding the New Wave of British Heavy MetalNew Wave of British Heavy Metal
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The movement developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black...
. Immediately signed by major label Polydor, the group, whose style bore resemblances to Motörhead, Sweet Savage
Sweet Savage
Sweet Savage are a metal band from Belfast, Northern Ireland, formed in 1979. The band once included former Dio and Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell...
and Weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
, recorded their 1980 debut album named The Witch of Berkeley, live at a hometown gig (actually the hall of Hazel Grove High School
Hazel Grove High School
Hazel Grove High School is located in Hazel Grove, a suburb of Greater Manchester, England.-General information:Hazel Grove High School's GCSE results are above England's national average. However, according to the schools league table it is ranked lower than other schools in the area...
), then were sent out on the road in support of Girlschool
Girlschool
Girlschool are a British heavy metal band originating out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene in 1978 and frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead. They are the longest running all-female rock band, still active after more than 30 years...
and Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
. Neither of these experiences aided record sales, however, and following releases for Polydor 1981's "No Fun After Midnight" EP and "I'm the One Who Loves You", were dropped. Internal dissension had also taken root by this time and the Owens had in fact dispensed with their original rhythm section to work with new bassist Tony Backhouse and drummer Simon Wright (future AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
) on that final single. But the quartet's new and more commercial AOR direction failed to bear fruit and by the middle of 1982, A II Z dissolved. Guitarist Gary Owens joined the similarly ill-fated NWOBHM band; Tytan
Tytan (band)
-History:Tytan was a British heavy metal band formed at the height of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal in the fall of 1981 by the former Angel Witch rhythm section, bassist Kevin Riddles and drummer Dave Dufort , Scottish vocalist Norman 'Kal' Swan, and guitarists Steve Gibbs and Stuart Adams...
.
In 1993, Reborn Classics reissued The Witch of Berkeley as a bootleg CD which includes both singles as well as a four track demo from Jaguar
Jaguar (band)
Jaguar are an English heavy metal band, formed in Bristol, England, in December 1979. They had moderate success throughout Europe and Asia in the early 1980s, during the heyday of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement.-Career:...
. In 2006 Majestic Rock officially re-released The Witch of Berkeley and also included the two singles and their b-sides.
Singles/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)
External links
- MusicMight article, includes singles discography
- [ Entry in Allmusic]
- VH-1 article entry