Like most bands that fall short of superstardom, Winter Hours exists mainly in the memories of its fans. One of New Jersey's leading alternative-rock acts of its era, the band formed in Lyndhurst in 1983 and had a richly textured, R.E.M.-like sound and a handsome, deep-voiced frontman who inspired comparisons to Jim Morrison. They had a devoted following up and down the East Coast, a college radio hit called "Hyacinth Girl" and, briefly, a contract with the major label Chrysalis. Strongly infl...
Like most bands that fall short of superstardom, Winter Hours exists mainly in the memories of its fans.
One of New Jersey's leading alternative-rock acts of its era, the band formed in Lyndhurst in 1983 and had a richly textured, R.E.M.-like sound and a handsome, deep-voiced frontman who inspired comparisons to Jim Morrison. They had a devoted following up and down the East Coast, a college radio hit called "Hyacinth Girl" and, briefly, a contract with the major label Chrysalis.
Strongly influenced by early Buffalo Springfield, Bob Dylan, and Gene Clark-era Byrds, Winter Hours' rootsy, aggressive style put them in sharp contrast with their late-'80s rock brethren.
A quintet consisting of Joseph Marques on vocals, Michael Carlucci on guitar, Bob Perry on guitars and vocals, Bob Messing on bass, and Stanley Demeski on drums, the band built up a presence on college radio after opening for artists like the Bongos, the Godfathers, Let's Active, the Hoodoo Gurus, and Marshall Crenshaw.
By the time they had signed with Link Records and issued their first EP, 1985's "Churches", they had a new drummer, John Albanese.
Four more EPs followed in 1986 on Link, "Wait 'till the Morning", "The Confessional", "Leaving Time", and "Say the Word" (which featured another new drummer, Frank Fiannini).
The same endless touring that helped build their fan base also brought them to the attention of Chrysalis Records, who signed the band and issued their self-titled LP in 1989.
Their final personnel change came with that album, with yet another drummer, Dave Scheff. This lineup would release one last single in 1989, "Roadside Flowers," before officially deciding to split two years later.
Singer Joe Marques tragically died of a drug overdose in 2003.
"They really wrote some masterpieces that stood the test of time," said Keith Roth, a DJ at WRAT (95.9 FM, Lake Como) and Sirius XM satellite radio, and a member of the band Frankenstein 3000. "You hear so many times about a band that should have gone further than they did: They're a prime example of that."
Some photos of Joseph Marques, the lead singer of Winter Hours, who passed away in 2003:
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