Novo Combo -

Novo Combo was an American melodic-rock band behind the 1981/82 Polydor albums Novo Combo and The Animation Generation. They featured drummer Michael Shrieve (Santana, Automatic Man, Go) and former Hall & Oates touring bassist Stephen Dees.

Members: Pete Hewlett (vocals, guitar), Stephen Dees (lead vocals, bass), Jack Griffith (lead guitar), Michael Shrieve (drums), Carlos Rios (lead guitar)

Background

Novo Combo formed in New York City in winter 1979 when drummer Michael Shrieve contacted bassist–vocalist Stephen Dees through a referral from Kiss manager Bill Aucoin. The pair compared songs at the Midtown apartment at 45 West 55th Street, then played together for several hours at SIR Studios. Dees served as Hall & Oates touring bassist in the mid-1970s and co-wrote “Kerry” for the 1976 album Bigger Than Both of Us. He released the Daryl Hall-produced 1977 solo album Hip Shot on RCA. Shrieve played drums with Santana from the 1969 debut through Borboletta. He next joined the Go project of Stomu Yamashta and formed Automatic Man on Island Records.

West Virginia guitarist Jack Griffith played with local group Kristina and toured the South with Skiffle. Griffith moved from Los Angeles to Miami and answered an advertisement for a hotel-band audition. A studio engineer at the audition told him that Dees and Shrieve would hold guitar auditions the next day; Dees called Griffith that evening. Griffith joined Dees and Shrieve for the Miami session and began daily rehearsals with the pair.

Pete Hewlett entered the Pittsburgh scene as a teenager with Peter’s Pipers, which won a local Battle of the Bands and secured a Philips/Mercury contract. Hewlett joined Sweet Lightnin’ in the early 1970s for an RCA album and related singles. He later recorded with Eric Carmen and sang with the Euclid Beach Band on the 1979 Cleveland International album Euclid Beach Band. Former Sweet Lightnin’ guitarist Sid McGinnis recommended Hewlett to Carly Simon for a backing singer–guitarist opening connected with Come Upstairs. Hewlett moved to New York for Simon sessions and concert dates. The three musicians subsequently selected Hewlett as the fourth member of Novo Combo.

Dees and Shrieve joined Todd Rundgren and Ian Hunter on the October 1980 John Anderson benefit tour as Novo Combo continued the demo phase. The quartet rehearsed each day and used 45 West 55th Street as a base for songs and arrangements. Novo Combo recorded largely live two-track demos in nearby studios with money from management. The group played the Ritz, the Savoy, Trax, and the Palladium as label executives attended New York showcases. Polydor executives signed Novo Combo after hearing the demo set. The quartet then entered sessions with producer Chris Kimsey for the self-titled Polydor debut.

Discography: