Is it finally over as Hoboken favorites reveal another new name?
Maxwell’s was buzzing about this latest announcement from local favorites eugene. After several tries at finding a drummer, they recently found a kindred spirit in Fran Azzarto (owner of The Goldhawk bar in Hoboken). His addition had injected the band with a new swing, energy and spirit. During several low-key, acoustic spotlights everyone was excited about the bands direction.
During this time of rediscovery however, the band had been struggling with an identity crisis. They felt that the changes in the sound and attitude justified dropping their eugene moniker and moving on. Many fans disagreed. I for one was especially outspoken on this matter feeling that the core of the band was still the same. I also felt that the name had a certain history which could not be denied. Still they experimented with several names.
This whole debate wound up opening a can of worms that ironically forced them to change the name. Before the announcement at Maxwell’s, I was talking to guitarist Dom Della Fave and he told me that they had at one point decided to keep the name eugene. To do it properly, they wanted to trademark it and truly make it their own. However, some other band beat them to the punch. Now they had to change it.
I, like many others, waited to hear—or rather see—what the new identity would be. As I walked into the back room at Maxwell’s, I noticed spelled out in masking tape on the kick drum, ‘The Fave’. Despite several hems and haws from certain show goers, I have to say I like it. It certainly beats the hell out of some of the previous choices. Besides, it is a funny play on Dom and sister Jaime’s last name Della Fave.
As for the sound; this was my first real taste of them fully plugged in with a decent sound system. I’ve always been a fan of their sound and now very much enjoy the freshness that’s been added. Many of us at the show agreed that Fran, in just this short time, looks like he’s been a member for ages. In fact, if you watch them, you’d have been hard pressed to pick out the ‘new guy’ in the band.
There kids … I said it … I like the name. Don’t go changing it again. Don’t make me keep having to write about it … OK? Do we have a deal?
See Also:
eugene’s Identity Crisis
