Dear readers, we are pleased to offer you in this article an interview with an American band active since 1970, please welcome OHO.
Hi how are you?
Where is how I am going.
You are a band that traces its origins back to the early 1970s, how did your passion for music and the Prog genre start?
Loved music at an early age. Accordion lessons in the mid-to-late 1950’s. Hootenanny TV show and LA Radio KFWB in the early 60’s (we lived in California from 1961-64). Went to minor Catholic seminary in 1964. In bands all through High School. Big fan of Motown and Stax Volt. Progressive interest began w/ Procol Harum in ’67, witnessed Soft Machine open for Hendrix in ’68, Spirit in ’69, Rennaissance (Keith/Jane Relf version) and Family in ’70, Strawbs & Genesis’ Trespass in ’71…after that I was hooked.
The band was formed in 1970 from an idea of yours, how did this project come about?
The idea for OHO was the idea of Mark O’Connor, Steven Heck & Joe O’Sullivan in 1973, not ’71. I was a guest vocalist on OHO’s Okinawa, which we rehearsed in December 1973 becoming a full-fledged member in good standing by Summer 1974.
Progressive and Rock sounds were being forged in those years, what memories do you have of that magical period?
Seeing Genesis (Selling England tour) twice & King Crimson (Wetton/Cross version) perform in concert, 1974.
“Okinawa” is a milestone for collectors and Prog lovers, what can you tell us about the record?
OKINAWA is the only OHO album released 4x between 1974 and 2010. The first time as a band-financed 16 track vinyl 12″ LP (we recorded 31 songs for a 2 record set but could only afford a single album); the 2nd time (in 1995) w/31 tracks as originally intended on 4 10″ vinyl records (Little Wing of Refugees label) in film cannister with a 32 page booklet and sticker (in Japanese); the 3rd time on CD (no label) in 2000, w/31 tracks (keyboardist Mark O’Conner requested “Psychogenic Blanche” be left off this release–making the Little Wing release the only edition of Okinawa that features “Psychogenic Blanch” and the unedited “Board Organ”; and finally as a 6 panel, 20 page booklet-ed CD on the Vintage Records label (a subdivision of Rockadrome Records in Texas) in 2010…a major RIO masterpiece.
The debut album “Okinawa” was released in 1974, what themes did the record deal with?
Okinawa themes? Stream of consciousness and nonsense lyrics, drugs, sibilance & alliteration, measurements, topiaries, dotage, chess, ennui, scatology, York/Pennsylvania; footwear for the physically challenged, disease, cockroaches, poetry, sport arena hot dog vendors, retirement communities, love, hate and stupidity.
You recently released a new album which I was pleased to review in my webzine, how do you describe “Ahora!”?
Ahora! is an operetta/suite in 3 parts, each anchored by one or more stand-alone tunes about an interior experience an attendee had during one of Robert Fripp’s Guitar Craft courses in New Jersey, Spring 2005. It took 13 years to finish, and this after all the music was composed, sitting on a Maryland Beach, playing a Martin Backpacker guitar during the early aughts.
The album is very intense and full of ideas, will there be a chance to hear these compositions live?
Unlikely, but not impossible. As most of it was composed so long ago, I’m afraid I might have some trouble relearning some of the guitar parts. One never knows, though…right?
Over the years the music has changed, how has your sound evolved over time?
Oh yeah, but always with a Progressive bent/undercurrent. For example, our eponymous Sky Records LP (1990) was reviewed as: “Jefferson Airplane landing on top of Genesis; then taking a time machine ride with Fairport Convention to play at H.G. Wells’ birthday party.” The current line-up sounds like…Ahora! The truth is I want to be a POP star. I’m age 72 & still believe it’s possible.
Music has changed a lot over the years and is constantly evolving, how do you see the future of the Prog genre?
Transmogrifying on a daily basis. Be prepared to be surprised.
What advice would you give to young artists approaching music with more refined sounds like Prog?
Get a day job that ends when you punch out. Use your spare time to practice, listen and network. Use your disposable income for gear, promotion and a pint or two. But most of all, and the most difficult to do is…be patient while enjoying the process of creation. It will keep you sane, with insanity only 6% of the time. Note your enjoyment level from time to time as joy is the test of any true path
The new album came out recently, are there any other record releases planned in the future?
One at least, and this is my 1st solo album tentatively entitled “Authentic Fake”. We’ve been working on it since the Autumn of 2017 and I’ve given myself a deadline of December 31, 2022. I’ve got enough for an 80-minute CD, a bit different from OHO; but I did get some help from former & current band mates.
I thank OHO for the valuable interview and the opportunity to review the band’s excellent music, wishing them all the best for the continuation of their artistic career.
Thanks for the interview. – Jay
Read out review of their new album “Ahora!” here: https://progrockjournal.com/review-oho-ahora/