'o' level: pseudo punk

rsd 2014. Munster Records presents, in a co-release with Discos Alehop!, the first vinyl reissue of the two official singles of British band 'O' Level: "East Sheen" (recorded in November 1977 and released on Psycho) and The Malcolm EP (recorded in December 1978 and released by the Kings Road label). This compilation also includes three tracks from February 1979 never released on vinyl before, plus a rawer alternative version of "East Sheen" dating from March 1978. 'O' Level was created in 1976 by London guitarist Ed Ball along with two friends from school, the Bennett brothers (John on drums and Gerard on bass), who would leave the band in March 1978. That same line-up plus Dan Treacy (another school friend of Ball's) recorded the first Television Personalities single in 1977, titled 14th Floor. 'O' Level self-released that same year a first single which included three tracks strongly influenced by punk's energy (Buzzcocks and Undertones guitars and melody on "East Sheen") and attitude (with ironic comments about fake punks on "Pseudo Punk"), but all of it as if seen from a distance, outside a decadent scene which had already been absorbed by the establishment. The single also features a sort of homonymous anthem called ''O' Levels." As a record collector anecdote, there are two versions of the single with different covers, which go for very high prices. Ed Ball, DIY superhero, returned in late 1978 with four more hits, displaying a sound more oriented towards '60s pop but with the new wave spirit of the time. On this occasion, he was accompanied on bass, drums, and backing vocals by... himself, Ball played everything! The single, titled The Malcolm EP, contains a new hit in "homage" to Malcolm McLaren, "We Love Malcolm"; a portrait of the scene, "Everybody's on Revolver Tonight" (where the pseudo punks and part-time punks make another appearance); and two tracks with '60s melodies: "Leave Me Alone" (with a very Love-esque chorus) and "Stairway to Boredom" (pure new wave sound). But Ed Ball's music career didn't end with this second single. After recording three more tracks in February 1979, which have never been released on vinyl until now, he continued developing the same strand of wonderful pop through the '80s and '90s with bands such as Teenage Filmstars, Television Personalities, The Times, and many more, ending with four records as a solo artist. 'O' Level was Ed Ball, a passionate pop artisan who deserves to be rediscovered.