Jack Hues
Encyclopedia
Jack Hues is an English musician, who is best known for forming the 1980s British
new wave
band, Wang Chung
. In addition to forming Wang Chung, Hues also was a member of the one-off band, Strictly Inc
, which featured Tony Banks
from Genesis
.
, England
, the oldest of four children born to Robina (née Pratt) and Allan Sidney Ryder. He attended London's Goldsmith College to study music. After three years, he went on to attend the Royal College of Music
. It was at this time that Hues befriended Dave Burnand, who would go on to be a future member of Huang Chung
. After one year at RCM, he decided on to pursue a career in music.
, 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.
[2] 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[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.[3] 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. [4]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..
and decided to disband in 1991. Before the breakup, Hues scored the soundtrack for the 1990 film, The Guardian
. The director of the film, William Friedkin
, chose Hues because of the work he did on his 1985 film, To Live and Die in L.A.. He also made a solo album, The Anatomy Project, in 1992. However, for reasons unknown, his solo debut album has yet to be released, as of June 2007. In 1994, Tony Banks of Genesis heard samples of Hues’ work. He admired it, and asked him to compose a new album together. On 11 September 1995, Strictly Inc
was released solely in the UK
. The album received mixed reviews. In 1997, he and Nick Feldman briefly reunited.
In 2005, Wang Chung appeared on Hit Me Baby One More Time
. They performed their most popular song, "Everybody Have Fun Tonight
", along with "Hot in Herre
" by Nelly
. The reaction the fanbase gave the band was enough inspiration to resuscitate Wang Chung, and work on a new album. As of June 2007, no word of the new album's release date was published. However, on the band's website, it stated that the album is almost near completion, and a new recording deal is in the works.
In 2002 Jack created a new jazz-influenced band with Sam Bailey called The Quartet. They recorded their first album 'Illuminated' in 2004 and their second 'Shattering' in 2007 - both released to critical acclaim http://www.the-quartet.co.uk/. Along with Wang Chung, he is currently active with The-Quartet, which is signed with Helium Records. The record company is headed by Chris Hughes
, who helped produce Wang Chung's Points on the Curve
in 1984.
. Jack Ryder is known for appearing on the BBC1 soap opera series, EastEnders
, as Jamie Mitchell
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
new wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
band, Wang Chung
Wang Chung (band)
Wang Chung are an English New Wave musical group.The group found their greatest success in America, with five Top 40 hits in the US, all charting between 1983 and 1987, including "Dance Hall Days" , "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and "Let's Go!" .-Pre-history: The Intellektuals and 57 Men :Jeremy...
. In addition to forming Wang Chung, Hues also was a member of the one-off band, Strictly Inc
Strictly Inc
Strictly Inc is the self-titled project album, released by Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks, and Wang Chung lead vocalist Jack Hues, in 1995 on Virgin Records. Tony Banks wanted the album release—as the title suggested—with no reference to the band members; but the record company went against his...
, which featured Tony Banks
Tony Banks (musician)
This article is about the musician. For other people named Tony Banks, see Tony BanksAnthony George "Tony" Banks is a British composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who performs as a keyboardist and a guitarist...
from Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
.
Biography
Jack Hues was born in Gillingham, KentKent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the oldest of four children born to Robina (née Pratt) and Allan Sidney Ryder. He attended London's Goldsmith College to study music. After three years, he went on to attend the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
. It was at this time that Hues befriended Dave Burnand, who would go on to be a future member of Huang Chung
Wang Chung (band)
Wang Chung are an English New Wave musical group.The group found their greatest success in America, with five Top 40 hits in the US, all charting between 1983 and 1987, including "Dance Hall Days" , "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and "Let's Go!" .-Pre-history: The Intellektuals and 57 Men :Jeremy...
. After one year at RCM, he decided on to pursue a career in music.
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 HammondPaul Hammond (musician)
Paul Hammond was an English rock drummer, best known for his time with the progressive rock band Atomic Rooster.-Career:Born in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, Hammond began playing drums aged 12, and joined his first band, The Farm, after winning a competition in the Melody Maker music newspaper...
, 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.
[2] 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.'
Soon after Mike left.[3] 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. [4]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
Darren Costin
Darren Costin is the former drummer for the band Wang Chung. Costin first appeared on the group's debut album, Huang Chung. When drumming, Costin used a Simmons electronic drums. Costin then left the band in 1985 after Wang Chung's summer tour, in order to pursue a solo career.Costin founded the...
. 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
Wang Chung (band)
Wang Chung are an English New Wave musical group.The group found their greatest success in America, with five Top 40 hits in the US, all charting between 1983 and 1987, including "Dance Hall Days" , "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and "Let's Go!" .-Pre-history: The Intellektuals and 57 Men :Jeremy...
. They released several singles in 1980 for the independent music company, Rewind Records. In May 1981, Huang Chung signed to Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
for a two album deal. The next year, the band released their self-titled debut album
Huang Chung (album)
- Arista U.S. LP: AL 6603 :- 1995 - One Way Records CD: OW 31444 :-Credits:Producers:* Tracks 1,2,4,5,10 - Produced by Rhett Davies;* Tracks 6,8,9 - Produced by Roger Bechirian;* Tracks 3 & 7 - Produced by Rhett Davies and Remixed by Roger Bechirian...
. 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
Points On the Curve
Points on the Curve is Wang Chung's second album and first album since changing their name from Huang Chung and switching from Arista to the Geffen record label...
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..
Post-Wang Chung era (1991-present)
By the early 1990s, Wang Chung lost its motivation to continue with music in an industry dominated by MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
and decided to disband in 1991. Before the breakup, Hues scored the soundtrack for the 1990 film, The Guardian
The Guardian (1990 film)
The Guardian is a 1990 American horror film directed by William Friedkin and starring Jenny Seagrove, Dwier Brown and Carey Lowell. A cable television version of the film was credited to "Alan Von Smithee", indicating that Friedkin wished to disassociate himself from its release.This ended up as...
. The director of the film, William Friedkin
William Friedkin
William Friedkin is an American film director, producer and screenwriter best known for directing The French Connection in 1971 and The Exorcist in 1973; for the former, he won the Academy Award for Best Director...
, chose Hues because of the work he did on his 1985 film, To Live and Die in L.A.. He also made a solo album, The Anatomy Project, in 1992. However, for reasons unknown, his solo debut album has yet to be released, as of June 2007. In 1994, Tony Banks of Genesis heard samples of Hues’ work. He admired it, and asked him to compose a new album together. On 11 September 1995, Strictly Inc
Strictly Inc
Strictly Inc is the self-titled project album, released by Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks, and Wang Chung lead vocalist Jack Hues, in 1995 on Virgin Records. Tony Banks wanted the album release—as the title suggested—with no reference to the band members; but the record company went against his...
was released solely in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The album received mixed reviews. In 1997, he and Nick Feldman briefly reunited.
In 2005, Wang Chung appeared on Hit Me Baby One More Time
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Hit Me, Baby, One More Time was a 2005 reality show first aired by ITV on British television and later, as a new version, by NBC in the United States; both were presented by Vernon Kay. During each programme, five former pop stars sing their biggest hit along with a cover version of a contemporary...
. They performed their most popular song, "Everybody Have Fun Tonight
Everybody Have Fun Tonight
"Everybody Have Fun Tonight" is a song by Wang Chung from their album Mosaic. It was released as a single in 1986, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart....
", along with "Hot in Herre
Hot in Herre
"Hot in Herre" is a popular song and single performed by the hip-hop artist Nelly, and was released in 2002 as the first single on his album Nellyville. The song's producers were The Neptunes...
" by Nelly
Nelly
Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album...
. The reaction the fanbase gave the band was enough inspiration to resuscitate Wang Chung, and work on a new album. As of June 2007, no word of the new album's release date was published. However, on the band's website, it stated that the album is almost near completion, and a new recording deal is in the works.
In 2002 Jack created a new jazz-influenced band with Sam Bailey called The Quartet. They recorded their first album 'Illuminated' in 2004 and their second 'Shattering' in 2007 - both released to critical acclaim http://www.the-quartet.co.uk/. Along with Wang Chung, he is currently active with The-Quartet, which is signed with Helium Records. The record company is headed by Chris Hughes
Chris Hughes (record producer)
Chris Hughes is a music producer and a former drummer for Adam and the Ants....
, who helped produce Wang Chung's Points on the Curve
Points On the Curve
Points on the Curve is Wang Chung's second album and first album since changing their name from Huang Chung and switching from Arista to the Geffen record label...
in 1984.
Personal life
Ryder's stage name, "Jack Hues", is a play on the French phrase, j'accuse, which means "I accuse" in English. He has a daughter, Violet, and two sons, Harry and JackJack Ryder (actor)
Jack Seigfried Ryder is an English actor, best known for playing Jamie Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders from 1998 to 2002.-Biography:...
. Jack Ryder is known for appearing on the BBC1 soap opera series, EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
, as Jamie Mitchell
Jamie Mitchell
Jamie Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jack Ryder, who made his first appearance on 9 November 1998. Ryder decided to leave in 2002, and his final episode aired Christmas Day 2002, when Jamie was killed off....
.