Jack Hues - Wang Chung Era (1977-1991)

Wang Chung Era (1977-1991)

Jeremy Ryder, known professionally as "Jack Hues" (vocalist/guitarist) and Nick Feldman (bassist) would eventually form the core duo of Wang Chung. They first met when Hues answered Feldman's ad for a musicians in the classifieds section of the weekly British music magazine Melody Maker in 1977. Mike Berry, an American bassist and songwriter also answered the ad, beating 70 other bassists to be offered the job. Mike Smith, a keyboard playing friend of Nick's and Paul Hammond, a drummer were already members of the band. Keyboard player, Mike Smith also wrote songs. He soon left after being signed as a songwriter by Chinn and Chapman. Paul Hammond (Carl. S. Berg) was the drummer at the time of the auditions. He had already enjoyed some success in the 70s band, 'Atomic Rooster.His 'audition technique' was to keep speeding up the tempo as he played to try and catch the bass player out. Mike Berry played bass so fast that Paul gave up, smiled and said 'you're a maniac!' Mike Berry was in. It was Paul Hammond who coined the name Jack Hues.

Mike B tells the story:

'Jeremy/Jez had a song called,'J'accuse'.The opening line was,"I J'accuse!' Paul hated the song,One day when Jeremy/Jez was gone to the toilet Paul got a wicked gleam in his eye and asked,'where's Jack?'we said who? He said,'you know,Jack Hughs.'That is how that name got started. It was Paul taking the rise out of Jez' song.' Mike Berry recalls he himself left the band after a year and a half because Nick Feldman refused to loan him the money to replace a faulty bass speaker cabinet,despite being offered an airline ticket to the usa as security on the loan.As a result of this dispute, Mike refused to play a gig supporting The Tourists (Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart) was canceled and Mike Berry quit the band.Both Nick and Jack,as he was now called,pleaded with him not to go,but he left the band. 6 months later,while working as a door person at a night club in Boston,Massachusetts,mike heard familiar voices and looked up at the video screen.there were Wang Chung,singing 'Dancehall Days! Mike still kicks himself for the decision to go.He still has demo tapes recorded at Easy Street studios as part of this original line-up.the songs include 'J'accuse.'

Soon after Mike left. Marek Budzynski (Bud Weiser) was taken on as bassist to form next incarnation of The Intellektuals.

In less than a year, that band split up. Hues and Feldman then joined up with future Wang Chung drummer Darren Costin, bassist Leigh Gorman, keyboardist Simon Campbell and vocalist Glenn Gregory, to form 57 Men. This band lasted for about 18 months before breaking up.

Gregory went on to become the vocalist for Heaven 17, and Gorman later played in Bow Wow Wow. Meanwhile Hues, Feldman and Costin stayed together and rechristened themselves Huang Chung. Campbell went back to the day job. Mike Berry moved to Devon and played in rock bands and solo.He later formed folk trio,MY Earthly Twin with John Austin on mandolin and Steve Potter on fiddle.They played the Southwest of England for 3 years. He still writes songs.he can be contacted on mike_h_berry@hotmail.com Two years later, Hues & Feldman formed the band, '57 Men'. While in 57 Men, the two met up with future Wang Chung drummer, Darren Costin. Just like their first band together, Hues & Feldman broke up within eighteen months, but took along Costin.

In late 1979, the threesome officially became referred to as Huang Chung. They released several singles in 1980 for the independent music company, Rewind Records. In May 1981, Huang Chung signed to Arista Records for a two album deal. The next year, the band released their self-titled debut album. By 1983, the band's name was changed to Wang Chung, and Hues became the band’s official lead vocalist. After the summer tour for POTC in 1984, Costin left the band to pursue a solo career. Despite not having a full-time drummer, Wang Chung continued to thrive. For the next six years, Wang Chung enjoyed success, especially in England and the U.S.A..