Oh-OK – The Complete Reissue

Thanks to critically acclaimed reissues from Athens, Georgia pioneers Pylon and Love Tractor, interest in the back pages of the Athens scene is at an all-time high. What better time, then, to revisit another one of the city’s pioneering band, the beloved Oh-OK? On January 15th, HHBTM Records will be reissuing its 2011 compilation, the long out-of-print The Complete Reissue, available on LP, Cassette and Digital Download. When released in 2011, the LP quickly sold out, and became a sought-after release.

Formed in 1981 as a low-key project between friends, the band’s existence was solidified when local boys R.E.M. needed an opening act. Because of this, Oh-OK always felt like the scene’s kid sister, both figuratively and literally. Unbeknownst at the time, Pylon was about to break up, so Pylon frontwoman Vanessa Hay proudly passed the post-punk baton to friends Linda Hopper and Lynda Stipe (yes, that Stipe). Much like Pylon, the band would sign to legendary DB Records. Oh-OK released but two records; 1982’s Wow Mini Album and 1983’s Furthermore What, both collected here, alongside a handful of live recordings of songs that never made it to tape and two songs “Random” and “Courage Courage” which were set to be their final 7” before they broke up but were never released.

Oh-OK’s existence was brief, but the members went on to greater things. Linda Hopper formed the beloved 1990s alt-rock band Magnapop (In 2019 HHBTM Records proudly released their first major album release in nearly 15 years, The Circle Is Round), Lynda Stipe formed Hetch Hetchyand has a current project Flash to Bang Time which are preparing to release a new album in 2021, whilst late-era guitarist Matthew Sweet formed Matthew Sweet.

Though it’s a shame they never managed a full length proper, The Complete Recordings serves as a fine album in its own right, and is a worthwhile addition to any Athens scene fan’s collection.