AO55 is an independent American rock band based in suburban Washington, DC. The band consists of Jimmy Sparks and Tom Grome with substantial help from producer and close friend, JP Maheu. AO55's music ranges from roots rock and alt-country to sledgehammer rock that crawled out of the garage and hooked up with little Miss Power Pop.
Jimmy Sparks first whacked a drum kit at age 5, and by 16 he was playing DC rock clubs. A natural in front of a mic, Jimmy soon took over lead vocal duties, most often while still behind the drums. Jimmy's ability to sing roots, alt-country and power pop reveals his influences, including Mick Jagger, Eric Burdon, Louis Armstrong, Cher, Joni Mitchell, Tiny Tim, Tony Bennett, Ethel Merman, Barry Gibb, and a young Betty Boop.
Tom Grome is a classically trained pianist who got bit by the rock bug at an early age. After tormenting recital audiences in his native Cincinnati, he surfaced on the DC music scene in the form of “power pop keyboardist”. Comfortable with piano, organ or synth, Tom’s major keyboard influences include Bill Payne, Chuck Leavell, Rabbit Bundren, Roy Bittan, and of course Sister Basil, the nun who taught him how to hold a piano.
History
With AO55, songwriters Tom Grome and Jimmy Sparks have mixed smart, accessible rock with their alt-country and power pop past. As members of One Party Rule, or OPR, they were a fixture on the Washington, DC power pop scene. OPR had a loyal local following and was known for skilled musicianship and raucous live shows. The band released two CDs: One Party Rule (Antithesis Records, Columbia, SC) and Pickles for Porcupines (Blue Frog). One Party Rule garnered modest radio airplay in Europe. Jimmy and Tom then formed AO55 and released Spaghetti Western Complex, a CD that showcased Jimmy's and Tom’s narratives set to power roots music with an alt-country flavor. SWC was picked as one of 2001’s top 10 albums in Japan by Moto Sanafo (http://motosanafo.fc2web.com/bestbest/2001bestranking.htm). After a studio hiatus to play live shows for a few years, Jimmy and Tom went back to studio work, this time with producer J.P. Maheu. Check out the results on our Music page.