Beleaguered League of Artists Meeting Mass Opposition. BLAMMO was originally formed as a duo in 1991, consisting of keyboard players Bob Tiefenwerth (ex-USE aka United States of Existence, Klangfaarb, Lao Lewd, Concertgebrew Orchestra), and Mark O’Connor (ex-OHO, Dark Side, Food for Worms, Concertgebrew Orchestra). For the first few years of its existence, BLAMMO was a vehicle for experimentation utilizing toys, cheap electronic keyboards and non-traditional devices. This period produced the cassette-only releases “Sticky Tootsies” (1991) and “Stupid Like the World” (1992).
A conventional rock band format was implemented in 1995 that added bassist Chuck Gross (ex-Beaters, Laff Clinic), guitarist-trombonist John Broyles, and drummer Bert Taylor (ex-USE, Yankee Rebels) to the group. Vocals were split between O’Connor and Tiefenwerth. “Found Object/Lost Mind” was released in 1996 before Chuck Gross, who had recorded and produced the album, left the band to join Little Grunt Pack. He was replaced early in 1997 by bassist/vocalist Gyro (ex-Outrageous, Food for Worms, OHO) in time to record “Big Cheese/Little Pond” that year. By 1999 the group was reduced to three members, O’Connor, Tiefenwerth and Gyro who completed the epic “Same Difference” released by that year’s end.
By 2000 Taylor had returned to the group, Gyro became full-time lead singer and Joe O’Sullivan (ex-OHO) joined on guitar. Dawn Culbertson assumed bass duties before being replaced by Ron Bland mid-2000. In 2001 “Taming Oblivion” was released followed by “Addressing Infinity” in 2002. David Stutzer (ex-The Modes, Slow Children at Play) joined the group soon thereafter on electronic reeds.
A major realignment occurred when Taylor left the group and was replaced by Alan Jones in 2002. Tim Taormino took over on drums in early 2003. Bland left the band later that year and was replaced by John Cochran (ex-Wild Mouse, Two Stoned Kids, OHO). This resulted in the last group effort, “Oddities with Attitudes,” released late in 2003. Early in 2004 Joe O’Sullivan left the band at which point John Cochran took over on guitar and Gyro returned to playing bass.
When Tiefenwerth left the group, BLAMMO disbanded after one last performance as a foursome at the Mojo Lounge (ex-Buffalo Nickels, Café Tattoo), the band’s home base since their first live performance. Two songs were recorded in June 2004 to be released on the ultimate BLAMMO recording “BLAMMO Discontinuo”, scheduled for release in 2008. Also, in 2004 a collection of live recordings and demos was released entitled “BLAMMO JAMMO”. The concept of the album, combining live and rare recordings, is one that will be expanded in the upcoming release of “BLAMMO Discontinuo”. BLAMMO was anthologized on “The Best of Baltimore’s Buried, Volume II” in 2003 with three songs from different stages of the band’s history.
BLAMMO members moved on to other musical projects. In 2004 Gyro and Stutzer formed Trailer Park Opera with Cochran making occasional guest appearances. Cochran later joined Charlie West’s trio. Gyro fronted the classic rock band Cut and Dried, and the J.V. Myka Project. In 2005 O’Connor with his wife, Mary Lis (vocals, guitar, violin) formed a duo called Ryan’s Parents. They later became the Hearthtones, then Malatropes. Mark also worked on a solo project as Urban Shocker.
In 2006 Tiefenwerth and Taormino joined former USE member Paul Rieger to form Trio Novo, a jazz trio specializing in the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim. Gross worked with the re-formed Little Grunt Pack and also played with Soul Gamblers, an instrumental surf group. Bland played in the award-winning band led by bluesman Charles ‘Big Daddy’ Stallings, and appeared on their CD releases.
In 2008 there was talk among several BLAMMO members to start a new group with former Baltimore resident John Doe (ex-X).
BLAMMO songs “You Never Should Have Sold Your Mellotron,” “Prog Man,” and “No Working Title” were included on The Best of Baltimore’s Buried Vol II.
Group bio written by BLAMMO.
1991(CS) Sticky Tootsies
1992(CS) Stupid Like the World
1996(CS) Blah Meaux Musik Found Object, Lost Mind
1997(CS/CD) Big Cheese, Little Pond
2001(CD) Addressing Infinity
2002(CD) Taming Oblivion
2003(CD) Oddities with Attitudes
