Here Comes Huffamoose … Again

Star-crossed area band reunites for a Nov. 23 benefit show at Ardmore Music Hall.

Huffamoose in its heyday

The name is Canadian slang for … Well, we’ll let you figure that one out. Though Huffamoose has been called “the best band you’ve never heard of,” that may not be true for everyone. It’s likely some of you heard the songs “James” and “Wait” in the late 1990s. Or perhaps it was “Buy You a Ring” in that JCPenney commercial?

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Back then, the talented Philadelphia quartet was poised for national recognition—before the business of the music business got in the way. Jazzy, quirky and odd in an utterly endearing way, Huffamoose earned its stripes with constant, often grueling touring. The excitement of landing a major-label record deal ended abruptly when the group was dropped. Its rise and fall—and all the craziness in between—was captured in the utterly charming 2003 documentary, Here Comes Huffamoose. View the trailer here or buy a copy of the DVD here. It’s definitely worth the $25.

Huffamoose has reunited a handful of times since its demise, and three of the members continue to play together as the Fractals. The reunion that will take place this Sunday at Ardmore Music Hall benefits Dan’s Voice, a charity was brought to the band’s attention by longtime friend Paul Reitano, whose own battle with head and neck cancer compelled him to help raise funds for research and desperately needed equipment. The organization was founded in memory of Dan Rich, who lost his voice—and eventually his life—to laryngeal/esophageal cancer.

The delightful Jim Boggia hits the stage at 6 p.m. His mastery of the ukelele is a wonder to behold. Another local favorite, Ben Arnold, takes over at 7. The aforementioned Fractals come next, and then it’s Huffamoose at 8:30. If you haven’t been to Ardmore Music Hall, here’s your chance. It’s a fantastic venue.

Listen to Debbi Calton’s chat with Huffamoose and Fractals guitarist Kevin Hanson above.

AN EVENING OF MUSIC AND FRIENDS TO BENEFIT DAN’S VOICE
With Huffamoose and special guests Jim Boggia, Ben Arnold and the Fractals
Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Ave, Ardmore, (610) 649-8389
Doors open 5:30 p.m.; show begins at 6
Tickets are $20 in advance at www.ardmoremusichall.com; $25 day of show

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