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A II Z were an English heavy metal band founded in 1979 in
Manchester Manchester () is a city and the metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It had an estimated population of in . Greater Manchester is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.92&nbs ...
, England, by the guitarist Gary Owens. The original line-up consisted of David Owens ( vocals), Gary Owens (
guitar The guitar is a stringed musical instrument that is usually fretted (with Fretless guitar, some exceptions) and typically has six or Twelve-string guitar, twelve strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming ...
), Cam Campbell (
bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Wood * Bass or basswood, the wood of the tilia americana tree Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in th ...
), Karl Reti (
drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel–Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a ...
s). For a short time they were one of the forerunners of the
new wave of British heavy metal The new wave of British heavy metal (often abbreviated as NWOBHM) was a nationwide musical movement that began in England in the mid-1970s and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. Editor Alan Lewis (music journalist), Alan Lew ...
movement. They disbanded in 1982.


Career

Manchester's A II Z (named after the A–Z Street Atlas) were formed by brothers Dave (vocals) and Gary Owens (guitar), Cam Campbell (bass), and Karl Reti (drums), during the initial excitement surrounding the
new wave of British heavy metal The new wave of British heavy metal (often abbreviated as NWOBHM) was a nationwide musical movement that began in England in the mid-1970s and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. Editor Alan Lewis (music journalist), Alan Lew ...
. Immediately signed by major label
Polydor Polydor Limited, also known as Polydor Records, is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in ...
, the group, whose style bore resemblances to
Motörhead Motörhead () were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1975 by bassist and lead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister, guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox. Kilmister was the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band a ...
, Sweet Savage and
Weapon A weapon, arm, or armament is any implement or device that is used to deter, threaten, inflict physical damage, harm, or kill. Weapons are used to increase the efficacy and efficiency of activities such as hunting, crime (e.g., murder), law ...
, recorded their 1980 debut album, ''The Witch of Berkeley'', which was recorded in the hall of Hazel Grove High School, and toured in support of Girlschool,
Iron Maiden Iron Maiden are an English Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris (musician), Steve Harris. Although fluid in the early years of the band, the line-up for most ...
and
Black Sabbath Black Sabbath are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. After adopting the Black Sabbath name in 1969 (the band ...
. The tours however failed to aid their record sales, and following the release of 1981's ''No Fun After Midnight'' EP and the single "I'm the One Who Loves You", the band were dropped from the label. Internal dissension had also taken root by this time and the Owens had dispensed with their original rhythm section to work with new bassist Tony Backhouse, who went on to form the band Mad Dogs and Mr Wolf, with Wally Rumsey and drummer Simon Wright (later of
AC/DC AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock and Heavy metal music, heavy metal, although the band calls it simply "rock and roll". They are cited as a formativ ...
) 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 had 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.


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

*
List of New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands The mid-late 1970s–early 1980s period in the United Kingdom introduced a movement of young musicians, generally identified as the new wave of British heavy metal (often abbreviated as NWOBHM). The movement spawned more than a thousand hard rock ...


References


External links

* Entry in AllMusic
VH-1 article entry

NWOBHM.com entry
{{Authority control English heavy metal musical groups Musical groups established in 1979 Musical groups disestablished in 1982 Rock music groups from Manchester New Wave of British Heavy Metal musical groups