Wharton Journal

Issue date: 12/4/06 Section: Insider

Joe Newell (WG'07) did his best to shatter his image as rock's most notorious recluse during a whirlwind fortnight in Philadelphia. He unveiled the newest incarnation of Wharton Men in Business (WMIB) with a completely sold-out show, played a surprise late-night acoustic gig, reunited with original WMIB guitarist Curtis Lee (WG'07) for that gig, did his first full-length radio interview in more than a decade and got into a bar fight with Richard Sarkis (WG'07). By his own estimation, he attended fifteen different parties. It was an interesting couple of weeks.

The new band, which contains the same members of the legendary 2002 WMIB, except for new guitarist Blair Schmicker (WG'07) and bassist Jorge Margain (WG'07), was in Philadelphia to warm up for their upcoming European tour. Margain first surfaced on October 5th, when he showed up on a syndicated radio show co-hosted by an old friend, former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach. Earlier, Margain had completely surprised Bach with a text message. ''It was like, 'Hey, man, it's Jorge,' '' says Bach. '' 'Are you in Philly? Let's hang out, I'm here.' I hadn't heard from that f*cker since 1995!''

Soon after, Schmicker, who was also on the air, was telling Bach that the much anticipated and eternally overdue brand new single 'Rocking Huntsman Hall' will finally be released. ''This year,'' he said, ''sometime this fall, or late fall.'' (A spokesman for Sony BMG refused to confirm this.). The radio show was abruptly interrupted however when a group of playmate-to-be groupies broke into the studio to get a hold of Margain and Schmicker.

On October 12th, at WMIB's comeback show at Tiki Bob's (their first gig since 2002), Newell emerged wearing his customary black leather pants, with his long blonde hair pulled back. Highlights of the hits-packed 30 minutes set included ''You Shook Me All Night Long,'' ''Beat It'' and ''Every Rose Has its Thorne.'' WMIB also performed two previously unreleased tracks ''Summer of '69'' and ''You Give Love A Bad Name''. After every few songs, Newell would exit the stage -- for three or four minutes at a time. ''He's slowly building his stamina back up,'' says Bach, who recently hooked Newell up with his vocal coach.

On October 14th, WMIB drummer Pablo Osinaga (WG'07) made more headlines after scuffling with clothing designer Tommy Hilfiger at a birthday party for actress Rosario Dawson. (It's still unclear what was the exact cause of the fight.) In an effort to mend relationships, during an acoustic set at Dawson's party, Osinaga dedicated ''You're Crazy'' to ''my good friend Tommy Hilfiger.''

Despite the drama, this was WMIB's best week in years. You could almost hear fans breathe a sigh of relief. ''As a friend and a rock & roll fan,'' Bach says, ''it just feels so good to hear Newell and the boys do their thing again.''

WMIB is expected to perform soon in Philadelphia, although it is still unclear when; they are still waiting for clearance from a local rehab clinic.

(*) Based on a publication by Rolling Stone magazine

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