Formed in 1990 in Sunderland AOS3 played many Free Festivals & venues of the time including Bala Silver moon, Ribblehead, the famous Castle Morton & Newcastle Anti Fascist Carnival with the Shamen! Blaggers ITA, Credit to the nation & Fundamental. Other regular gig buddies included Citizen Fish, RDF, Back to the planet, Revolutionary Dub Warriors, Poisoned Electric Head, Bender,Scum of Toytown, , Octafish, Gustav's Blim, Dig & many more.
AOS3 released two albums, 'God's Secret Agent ' in 1992 for Words of Warning, and 'Diversionary Tactics' in 1995 for Inna State Records. They also released 3 singles- Conspiracy/Tv Dinners split 7" with Citizen Fish, and Tottenham Three- a cover of the classic Tottenham AK47'S Track. They went on to tour Eastern and Western Europe with Citizen Fish and others, and finally exploded in the xmas of 1994, at a poorly attended gig in Liverpool.
AOS3 were always a festival band at heart, for their members had initially been a group of best friends whose passion was for the free festival scene of the early nineties, and here they were massively influenced by the music that played around them as they wandered giggling around, provoking such acerbic gems as 'Dont worry, it's just a bunch of hippies', as they stumbled past other punters.
AOS3 found themselves becoming increasingly politicised by their new experiences.
1994's Criminal Justice Bill spelled the end of the free festival scene as it had been known, and also was the year of passing for many bands involved, as their favourite events were illegalised and driven underground or into the hands of businessmen.
The most commonly asked question was always, what does it mean?
We can reveal it meant "Augustus Owsley Stanley 3rd", Dealer, underground chemist and cohort of the grateful dead, allegedly still at large. Many folk presumed it was Austin Osman Spare, but synchronous as that is (and AOS3 always loved a good conspiracy)
sadly, no.
AOS3 were adopted and befriended by both RDF and CITIZEN FISH, which was frankly, their dream come true back then.we owe both bands a lot for the breaks they provided.
It's worth mentioning that AOS3 probably plagairised the works of Robert Anton Wilson more heavily than any other band , ever! (except possibly FUNZIG!)
Their roadcrew deserve a mention too, the incredible Tom Bolsover, Ian 'Jeffa' Jefferson, and occasional tour manager Ian 'Hutch' Hutchins.
After AOS3 John went on to sing with P.A.I.N, LESS, & LDD, Colin played in JESSE (with Frankie stubbs from Leatherface) & Andy joined TARANTISM
However, as of 2007, AOS3 REEMERGED FROM A 13 YEAR SABBATICAL TO REVIVE THE FESTY SOUND OF YORE, AND WRITE A 3RD LP! THEY HAVE NOW RETURNED TO ACTIVE SERVICE, WITH THREE ORIGINAL MEMBERS TEAMING UP WITH HEADJAM / LESS DRUMMER KEV & EX SCUZZIES GUITARIST SAM (WONGO). AFTER A WELL RECEIVED WARM UP GIG IN BIRMINGHAM FOR SKANKIN DUB BEATS THE LADS 2ND GIG WAS A TRIUMPH PLAYING SECOND LAST JUST BEFORE UTAH SAINTS AT THE 2007 HAWKFEST
HURRAH! I LOVE A HAPPY ENDING.
AOS3 ARE NOW PLAYING OCCASIONAL GIGS AND CONCENTRATING ON TRYING TO WRITE THIS 3RD LP
check out our videos of recent live performances
