Wang Chung

Wang Chung

Wang Chung are a British new wave group from London, active from 1979 to 1991. The band begins under the name Huang Chung, a name presented as Chinese for “perfect pitch” and later also explained as a reference to the sound a guitar makes on American Bandstand. Their original line-up consists of Jack Hues on vocals and guitar, Nick Feldman on bass, David Burnand, also known as “Hogg”, on saxophone, and Darren Costin on drums.

Early releases and name change

The group releases its self-titled debut on Arista Records in 1982 after a run of singles, including the post-punk track “Isn’t It About Time We Were On TV”, which becomes a minor hit. After being dropped by Arista, they sign to Geffen Records in 1983 and change their name to Wang Chung, a change suggested to make pronunciation easier for English speakers.

Commercial peak

Under the Wang Chung name, the band releases Points on the Curve, which produces the hit singles “Don’t Let Go” and “Dance Hall Days”. In 1986, Darren Costin leaves the group, and Hues and Feldman continue recording. That same year, the band has its biggest hits with “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” and “Let’s Go”, both taken from the album Mosaic.

Later years and reunion

Wang Chung release their final album, The Warmer Side of Cool, in 1989 and disband in 1991. In 2005, Hues and Feldman reunite as Wang Chung on the television series Hit Me Baby One More Time, where they perform “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” and a cover of Nelly’s “Hot in Herre”.

Style

The group is associated with new wave, dance-pop and pop, and is part of the British pop-rock and 1980s wave of acts that moved between post-punk, synth-led pop and mainstream chart success.