An original music band from Towson formed by Mark O’Connor (keyboards ex-Ivory Lizard, Quinn), Jay Graboski (guitar ex-Quinn), Jeff Graboski (drums), and Trent Schnitker (keyboards ex-Dew Dwarf, Quinn).
Influenced by bands such as Spirit, Moody Blues, and Procol Harum they recorded extensively including a lengthy musical “phantasia” based on their interpretation of J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan.” The recordings were done at Flite Three Studios under the direction of Richard Kunc (director / engineer for Warner Brothers’ Bizarre / Straight label where he engineered albums by Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, Alice Cooper). The progressive band emphasized complex and unique arrangements laying the groundwork for their later bands such as OHO, Dark Side, and Food for Worms.
Little Hans performed at the Bluesette, and the Toad at Loyola. They were also seen at various teen centers although their musical approach usually made these appearances miserably inappropriate for both the band and the audience. Highlights include opening for Townes Van Zant downtown at Finnegan’s Wake.
In January 1972 the band traveled to New York City with hopes of securing a contract with their “Vitamin OHO” demo. They made connections with David Peel, and Elephant’s Memory while staying in a roach infested hotel. As fate would have it, Epic Records’ Tom Werman passed on Little Hans, electing to sign the band Cheap Trick instead.
L-R: Trent, Jeff, Jay, Mark. Courtesy of Jay Graboski
O’Connor decided to leave the band in August 1972. During a WKTK radio interview with Joe Buccheri, Mark jokingly remarked that the band broke up “because we didn’t get our hair cut at the Hair Garage.” After the interview the entire 42-minute recording of “Peter Pan” was aired to an enthusiastic WKTK audience. Jay went on to a stint with Grok before rejoining his friends in the band OHO. With the departure of O’Connor, the band abandoned the twin keyboard approach, adding bassist Joe O’Sullivan. With this lineup along with vocalist Aleta Greene they made another trip to the studio where they recorded what was to become their swan song, the Schnitker penned “Recession.”
Members O’Connor, and the Graboski’s would later become members of OHO. Aleta later sang for Tugboat, Bob Brown, O’Donel Levy Band, Downstairs Band. Vintage recordings of Little Hans have been made available as a CD titled “Wunderkind.” A 70-minute limited edition CD was included in the summer / fall 1999 issue of “Progression” magazine.
