HÜGE at large

The return of big rock and good jazz

by John O'Neill

It's been a reoccurring motif over the past few years on both the national and local level -- bands that had long ago imploded, exploded, divided, or limped off into the sunset while nobody noticed are, with greater frequency, regrouping. Reasons vary. In Fleetwood Mac's case, the reunion was monetarily driven. Take one of the greatest selling albums of all times, repackage it and sell it to the same stoner puds, now pudgy and balding, who bought it 20 years ago. In the case of Boston's Unnatural Ax, a band with cult status at best, it's a chance to get together every few months, have a beer and play out to the same handful of fans, just like the old days. And, in the case of HÜGE (formerly Pale Nephews), it's a chance to settle unfinished business.

"The pressure's off of us now," says vocalist Rene Lyman over beers while hanging fliers at Ralph's, where HÜGE will perform, along with Low Maintainence, on Saturday, April 18. "We're all situated with life. We were heavy when heavy wasn't cool. Now it's back, and we just want to rock!"

Formed in 1988, Pale Nephews were one of Worcester's more popular local outfits of the day, cutting their teeth at McGillicudy's and Ralph's alongside contemporaries Childhood, Hot House, and the Hip Civilians. In 1991, they headed for fame and the bright lights of Boston where they bounced around until finally folding their tent and succumbing to the lure of real jobs in 1996.

"We stopped 'cause my job started to get serious," offers guitarist Andre Lyman (brother Marty on drums and current Sam Black Church drummer J.R. Roach on bass round out the combo). "I was working at Tom Snyder productions as an animator for Dr. Katz and it turned into more than a day job."

"It was an awesome gig for Andre, so we took a couple of years off," adds Rene. "Lately I kept saying `three brother's and we can't get together enough to play out, you gotta be shittin' me.' "

With a cache of more than 200 songs at their disposal, the brothers caught their former bassist Roach when SBC had some down-time, and the Pale Nephews were reborn as HÜGE. They began gigging in earnest around Boston and even went into the studio at New Alliance to cut five songs for a future EP.

"We've got a more wide-open sound now, it's louder, bigger." says Rene when explaining the name change. "We still play our favorite old stuff -- it's revamped. We're even doing an Aerosmith cover. At first I wasn't sure, but it was fun! We figured, fuck it, let's just rock. We're even passing out HÜGE lighters at the show!"

"Worcester, the revival of `Big Rock' will begin on April 18," declares Andre. "Then I'll go home to take a nap."

All that jazz

Jim Porcella, Boston-based jazz vocalist and a long-time crowd fave on the Worcester scene continues his crusade to bring high-quality performers to the area with a Thursday-night series of shows at Shorah's Restaurant slated through the summer.

"The focus is to bring in New England's top artists," says Porcella, who's appearing with guitarist Jon Wheatley throughout April. "People have been coming out, and (owner) Kevin Shorah is committed to keeping it ongoing. My feeling is that with the Jazz at Sunset series, WICN's May line-up at Foothills, and this, people are supportive if they're aware of what's coming."

A few highlights for April and May include Dick Johnson, saxophonist and leader of the Artie Shaw Band, on April 23, vocalist Steve Marvin on April 30, Herb Pomery, who's played with almost everyone you could imagine, including Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton on May 7, and Worcester's own Monica Hatch on May 14.

All performances are from 7 to 10 p.m. Call (508) 797-0007 for more details.

Local buzz

Local pop-punk heroes and Espresso Bar favorites, not to mention Best Music Poll nominees, Gas Food Lodging have flamed-out and decided to call it a day. One of the more pleasant surprises to emerge on the scene over the past three years, they'll definitely be missed. The good news is bassist/singer Chris Principe will now handle the vocal duties for Popgun Picnic. Ed McNamara, top dog and frontal lobe of the Space is stepping back from daily duties at the collective to concentrate on his newest musical venture and "relax a while." Fret not, he'll still be around to help out. Dungeons and Dragon-rockers, Point of Ares will have their new fantasy-rock CD The Sorrows of Young Apollo (Summer Solstice) out by late June. Apparently Life Records is so taken with Halobox, originally ticketed to cut a single with the label, that they've ponied up the dough for a full-length release. They're putting the finishing touches on recording at Salad Days with Brian McTernan (Promise Ring, Cast Iron Hike, Texas Is the Reason) engineering. Both Polygram and Rykodisc are discussing a potential record deal with Little Big Wheel, a band who seem to be on every local dj's play list. The Deal are in the studio working on their first CD of all original material. The advance copy of Jim Porcella's next release, If I Could Dance Like Fred Astaire, is out; the CD is due in stores any day now.