Piece Kor
The Piece Kor are best remembered for the classic two-side single, All I Want Is My Baby Back b/w Words Of The Raven.
An Interview With Jack Bandoni, Jr.
60sgaragebands.com (60s): How did you first get interested in music?
Jack Bandoni, Jr. (JB): I was born in Boston and, for as long as I can remember, there was always a piano, guitar, harmonica,
and drum(s) in my parents' house. My formal trumpet lessons started in California while I was in the fourth grade.
60s: Was The Piece Kor your first band?
JB: Yes, if you don't count my participation in the elementary school, parade marching, and regional honor bands in California.
Actually, my first rock band started in Maryland as The Zotos (1965-1966), and became The Klanne (1966), then The Knights of
Sound (1966-1967), and, finally, The Piece Kor (1967-1968).
60s: Where in Marland did the band hail from?
JB: Bel Air, Maryland.
60s: And who all comprised the band?
JB: Michael S. Ball - lead vocalist, harmonica; John A. Bandoni, Jr. - lead guitarist; Charles R. Clark - drummer; Danny G.
Moore - rythym guitarist; and Barry D. Scott, bassist.
60s: How did the members of The Piece Kor join together to form the band? What were the circumstances that brought you all
together?
JB: It was an occaisional revolving door of new people at my parents' house: Death, quitting, people getting kicked out,
egotism - and new people showing up.
60s: Where did The Piece Kor typically practice?
JB: Typical practice sessions were held in the basement of my parents' house in Fallston, Maryland.
60s: What type of gigs did the band typically play?
JB: The band would typically play at teen centers, high school dances, a Knights of Columbus Hall which we would rent, the Bel
Air National Guard Armory - which we would rent - other venues, and twice on prime time Baltimore television.
60s: What program did you appear on?
JB: The Piece Kor twice played on The Kirby Scott Show, in Baltimore, in 1968.
60s: How would you describe the group's sound?
JB: We had a clean original sound that was influenced by the British Invasion; California sounds, such as surf and The Byrds;
a little bit of soul; and a bit of The Grateful Dead.
60s: What was the Marland rock and roll scene like at that time?
JB: Fairly typical for being close to the nation's capital.
60s: Did The Piece Kor have a manager?
JB: Yes, Raymond G. Scott.
60s: Was he influential at all in your career?
JB: He was very influential. And, with our help, he was a very good promoter.
60s: How popular locally were you able to become?
JB: We were probably the most popular local band.
60s: What were some of the other local bands you recall?
JB: Dale Patton's band.
60s: What was their name?
JB: Blues British.
60s: Were they popular, too?
JB: Yes.
60s: Did The Piece Kor participate in any Battle of the Bands?
JB: Yes. We always won. Dale Patton's band might have placed second, once. During battles, we usually played Beatles, Stones,
surf, and soul and The Pit and Stay Out Of My Life. Later, we co-hosted battles with the Baltimore TV television host, Kirby Scott.
60s: The Piece Kor released one single on the Laray label. Where was it recorded?
JB: Two singles were recorded on one 45 record at Edgewood Studios, Washington, DC, in 1968: All I Want Is My Baby Back b/w
Words of the Raven.
60s: Tom Guernsey of The Hangmen apparently produced your 45. How did you become involved with him?
JB: Ray met him - twice. We all recorded with him - once. John Miller, of WVOB fame (Bel Air), had the foresight to record
The Piece Kor's eleven songs on eight track as a favor. To me, John was our best producer. JC Costa is our best post-producer.
60s: Eleven songs? Apparently there are many unreleased Piece Kor songs in the vaults...
JB: The other nine songs of the Piece Kor complete the painting of the picture: The Pit (1965); Stay Out Of My Life (1965);
I Must Be Free (1967-1968); The Reason For Why Or When (1967-1968); Take A Good Look (1967-1968); Rosemary's Baby (1967-1968);
I Hear The Colors (1967); Flower Children (1967); and If You Need Someone (1968).
60s: Who wrote the majority of the songs?
JB: I was the band's primary music writer and Charlie was the band's primary word writer. However, with Mickey at 4.0, Danny as
awesome rythym, and Barry as Mr. Cool, we were the team called The Piece Kor.
60s: How far out did the band typically play?
JB: Rising Sun, Maryland to Chincoteague, Virginia - to recording in Washington, DC.
60s: Why did the band call it quits?
JB: Danny, Mickey, and I started college in the fall of 1968. (Plus, the typical) psychology of a rock band (stuff).
60s: Did you join or form any bands after The Piece Kor?
JB: Yes. Captain Jack, a one-man band, performed six times in 1981. I also have a new start-up band, Alexander Entertainment,
that is happening right now.
60s: What else keeps you busy?
JB: I own a taxi and an incubator entertainment company in Providence, Rhode Island. We meet people from around the world,
perform deejay functions, record, practice as a band, and are seeking to expand. I also continue to practice the guitar.
60s: Looking back, how do you best summarize your experiences in The Piece Kor?
JB: The Piece Kor experience is sincerely about as good as it gets!
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