A Band Called O

A Band Called O was a band from Jersey, Channel Islands. Originally known as The Parlour Band, playing progressive rock, they renamed to A Band Called O for two albums on CBS/Epic and later to The O Band for further albums with UA. Despite issuing five albums, on three major labels, and being championed by John Peel, for whom they recorded four Peel Sessions, they had no chart success; but were a popular live act, who toured Britain and Europe. Derek Ballard is now retired and lives with his wife in Bremen Germany.

The band changed label from CBS/Epic to United Artists, and played their third Peel Session on 23 March 1976 (the BBC credit all the Peel sessions to A Band Called O, although one or two were after the name change). Musically, their style had already evolved from progressive rock to soft-rock, but it then moved towards a pop style. They changed their name to 'The O Band' and released their third album Within Reach later that year.[9] A promotional single "Excerpts from Within Reach" was issued in the UK whilst two singles were taken from the album: "A Smile Is Diamond" / "Coasting" was issued in Germany,[10] and "Don't Cha Wanna" / "Coasting" in the UK. They played their fourth and final Peel Session on 22 February 1977.

Albums

As The Parlour Band

1972: Is a Friend (Decca/Deram Records SDL 10[4] / CD: 2010, Esoteric Eclec 2192) [16]

As A Band Called O

1974: A Band Called O (CBS/Epic EPC 80120) UK[5]

1975: Oasis (CBS/Epic EPC 80596) UK[7]

2012 On the Road 1975-77 (Major League Productions (MLP) MLP21CD) UK[13]

As The O Band

1976, Within Reach (United Artists UAS 29942[9] / CD: 1994, Repertoire RR4419) + Bonus tracks (2002)

1977: The Knife (United Artists UP36276 UK[12] / CD: 1994 Repertoire RR442, Germany / CD: 2006 Repertoire)

Singles

As A Band Called O

1974: "Rock & Roll Clown" / "Red Light Mama Red Hot" (Epic EPCS 2677) Germany

1974: "There Ain't Nothing I Wouldn't Do" (1Epic HOT 1 UK) (Concert promo with Sassafras & Randy Pie)

1974: "No Manners" / "That's Up" (Epic SEPC 2721) UK

As The O Band

1976: "Excerpts from Within Reach" (United Artists UA-PROMO 1) UK

1976: "A Smile Is Diamond" / "Coasting" (United Artists 36108AT) Germany

1976: "Don't Cha Wanna" / "Coasting" (United Artists UP36108) UK

1977: "Look to the Left" / "A Smile Is Diamond" (United Artists UP36297) UK

1977: "Look to the Left" / "A Smile Is Diamond" / "Fine White Wine(live)" (12" red vinyl) (United Artists 12-UP36297) UK

1977: "Almost Saturday Night" / "Love Ain't a Keeper" (United Artists UP36276) UK

Band Members

Mark Anders

Craig Anders

Peter Filleul

Jon "Pix" Pickford

Jerry Robins

Derek Ballard

Jeff Bannister