A II Z
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Gary Owens |
| Defunct | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Manchester , England |
| Products | Heavy metal music |
A II Z was a heavy metal group originating from Manchester, England, established in 1979 by guitarist Gary Owens. The founding members included vocalist David Owens, guitarist Gary Owens, bassist Cam Campbell, and drummer Karl Reti. They were briefly part of the pioneering wave of the new British heavy metal scene before their dissolution in 1982.
Career
Emerging amid the surge of the new wave of British heavy metal, Manchester-based A II Z—whose name was inspired by the Geographers' A–Z Street Atlas—comprised brothers Dave Owens on vocals and Gary Owens on guitar, alongside Cam Campbell handling bass and Karl Reti on drums. Quickly signed by the major label Polydor, their musical approach drew comparisons to Motörhead, Sweet Savage, and Weapon. Their debut album, The Witch of Berkeley (1980), was recorded at Hazel Grove High School and supported by tours with Girlschool, Iron Maiden, and Black Sabbath. Despite these opportunities, commercial sales were disappointing. Following the 1981 release of the EP No Fun After Midnight and the single "I'm the One Who Loves You," Polydor ended their contract.
Due to internal disagreements, the Owens brothers replaced the rhythm section with bassist Tony Backhouse—who later played with Mad Dogs and Mr Wolf—and drummer Simon Wright, who went on to join AC/DC, for their final single. The band's attempt to pivot toward a more mainstream AOR style did not succeed, leading to their breakup by mid-1982. Afterwards, Gary Owens became a member of the NWOBHM band Tytan.
In 1993, Reborn Classics issued an unauthorized CD version of The Witch of Berkeley, which included singles and a four-track demo from Jaguar. Majestic Rock officially reissued this album in 2006, supplementing it with singles and B-side tracks.
Studio albums
- The Witch of Berkeley (live) LP (Polydor 1980)
Singles and EPs
- "No Fun After Midnight" 7"/12" (Polydor 1981), with stylistic echoes of ZZ Top's Tush and Motörhead's No Class
- "I'm the One Who Loves You" 7" (Polydor 1981)
Reissues
- The Witch of Berkeley Bootleg CD (1993 Reborn Classics)
- The Witch of Berkeley CD (2006 Majestic Rock)
See also
External links
- [ AllMusic Entry]
- VH-1 Profile
- NWOBHM.com Profile