Nick Feldman - Wang Chung Era (1977-1991)

Wang Chung Era (1977-1991)

During the time that Feldman was in the hunt for a band, he put up a help wanted ad in the weekly British music magazine, Melody Maker. 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 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 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 to 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.' recalls he him self 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 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 Adam and the Ants and then 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 One of the people who answered the ad was future Wang Chung singer, Jack Hues. With the rising punk music movement around England in the late 1970s, the two formed together as 'The Intellektuals' in mid-1977. Two years later, Feldman & Hues 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, Feldman & Hues broke up within eighteen months, but took along Costin.

In late 1979, the threesome officially became referred to as Huang Chung. During his time with Huang Chung, Feldman was known professionally as Nick De Spig.

Huang Chung released two 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.

In 1982, still as Nick De Spig, Feldman co-write one track on the album Walls Have Ears by Blanket of Secrecy.

By 1983, Huang Chung's name was changed to Wang Chung, and Feldman reverted to using his real name professionally.

Wang Chung signed to Geffen Records in the US. They wanted to change their name from Huang Chung to something more understandable but David Geffen insisted they keep their name but just change the spelling. Wang Chung went on to achieve huge success in the US and the rest of the world throughout the 80's on Geffen. After the summer tour for their 1st Geffen album, Points on the Curve in 1984, Costin left the band to pursue a solo career. Despite not having a full-time drummer, Wang Chung continued to thrive, achieving numerous hit singles including 'Dance Hall Days' and 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight', which reached #2 on the Billboard chart, and 4 Gold and Platinum albums, as well as extensively touring the world throughout this period. Nick co-wrote and co produced for Wang Chung, who also branched out into Hollywood soundtrack work, scoring the William Friedkin movie 'To Live and Die in LA' as well as writing and performing for John Hughes' 'The Breakfast Club' and Steven Spielberg's 'Inner Space'