AOS3 formed in Sunderland, UK in 1990, taking their name from the initials of Augustus Owsley Stanley III, LSD chemist and sound engineer. The bands logo comprises interlinked anarchy, peace, Om, and Yin Yang symbols, which together spell out ‘AOS3’.

In the early 1990s before the 1994 Criminal Justice Act the band played on the free festival circuit throughout the UK including the infamous Castlemorton. AOS3 also toured regularly with bands such as Radical Dance Faction, Citizen Fish, Culture Shock and Back To The Planet.

Part of the anarcho punk movement, AOS3’s lyrics reflect the bands political stance. The songs ‘Battle of Trafalgar’ and ‘Dubbin’ Up a Riot’ describe the 1990 Poll Tax Riot in Trafalgar Square, and the bands’ cover of the The AK 47’s ‘Tottenham 3’ protests the innocence of the three men wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of PC Blakelock at the Broadwater Farm Riot in 1985. Other influences are more esoteric such as the works of Robert Anton Wilson.

AOS3 split in 1995, and singer John relocated to London going on to form P.A.I.N with Phil from Radical Dance Faction. AOS3 reformed in 2007, and have since toured with , and released their third studio album in 2015.

Band members also played in bands:




(London, England)