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Hitch
formed in Webster, MA in late 1996 between brothers Scott,
Corie and
Raendi Wagner when Corie
was contacted by an organization concerned with
awareness of domestic abuse. The organization was putting together a rally,
hoping to book Tina Turner as a keynote speaker, and told
Corie they needed a
backup band so Turner could perform. Corie, a longtime drummer, threw together a
project with his guitar player brothers and a bass player
Raendi knew from his
college in Boston. The band rehearsed covers, instrumentals, and a comprehensive
Tina Turner back catalog. The event never happened, but the guys knew they had
something there.
Bassist Chuck Reinhard decided he wanted to concentrate on lead vocals, so
the band recruited childhood friend Doc
Siddall to play bass, and Hitch was
born. A scant 2 keg parties into their career, Reinhard left (or was booted,
depending on who you ask) due to (at least in part,) musical differences.
Hitch honored a club date as a four-piece with
Corie and Doc
trading lead
vocals, and started recruiting new singers, choosing a guy named "Spanky"
from countless auditions in the summer of ’97. Spanky lasted about 4 weeks
until he lost interest. "He just stopped showing up," said
Raendi.
Hitch then recruited Phil
Henderson from the Worcester karaoke scene and
played clubs along the Worcester circuit until the guys learned that just
because a singer can shine in a pizza place, it doesn’t necessarily translate
to the rock stage.
Winter 1998 came with more auditions and the persistent Hitch found Chris
"Cool Brew" Blanchard playing drums in a local classic rock cover
band. Blanchard led the band through some high-profile shows at Worcester’s
Palladium and the now closed Commercial Street Café among others until the
performances suffered some high-profile flaws. Between regret and a new more
rigorous rehearsal schedule, Blanchard left Hitch. (Again, depends on who you
ask.)
Again without a frontman, Hitch decided to record their debut album. "It
was about time," says Doc. "We were close to recording almost four
times, and then had to regroup. We just had to do it." Much like that first
club show, the new CD Hot Isotope features the vocals of
Corie and Doc
on original rock songs, and
Raendi sharing the duties on the blooze-flavored Rock N’
Roll.
Hot Isotope is now available on
Crazy Alice Records, with local and regional
dates to follow, including their CD release party May 5th 2000 at
Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner in Worcester.
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