The Time Machine: The Return of Giant
5 min read
(Editor’s Note: Here at C6M, we’re hoping that “The Time Machine” will become a regular series where we look back at some of those hallmark artist and events that shaped us growing up. Props to Dave Huff and Giant for kicking us off strong!)
Let’s admit something, shall we? There are some bands that just take us back. Many times this happens by accident, as if time travel is triggered by auditory response, and that one special song just catches us off guard.  But when it happens, it happens fast – as if the song playing has the ability to immediately suck us back to a time and place where we are perpetually young and can still sing every word. This is where I am as I am listening to Giant’s “I’ll See You In My Dreams” off of the album Last of the Runaways. I will always be in high school listening to one of my many mixed tapes, writing poems about the girls that were sort of oblivious of my affection and dreaming that I would someday find that one perfect person, if there was such a thing. I know that sounds sappy. But, it was a perfect song for me. It was perfect for the perpetual dreamer in me. And why not, right? It’s sort of timeless in that sense. That song still tells a great story. So with the years since the release of this song/album now behind us, it still is a catalyst for Giant, acting as a bridge from the past to the present where Giant is now reformed and searching for a new identity in a market that has drastically changed since the early 90’s.
As I sit on the phone talking with one of the founding members, drummer David Huff, I have many questions, but it’s David who beats me to the punch.
“You’re probably wondering where we’ve been?” He laughs.
In truth I have wondered. But mostly I listen as David talks about the old incarnation of Giant that was discovered by Herb Alpert (who was the A in A&M Records). He was the one who listened to their demo tape and immediately called them on his cell phone to sign them. As we talk I quickly piece together the story of a band that includes some time spent at the top of charts as well as a couple of tours playing huge arena shows. This was back when it was cool to play melodic rock. Enter Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. End the dream.
David laments, “…and suddenly it’s not so cool to be in that kind of band anymore. And now we’re faced with a choice of playing a bunch of small clubs for 300 days a year or go back to doing what we used to do.”
What they used to do is earn a decent living producing records and playing music as studio musicians. In fact the Huff brothers have had a pretty prolific career playing music. I argue that they might possibly be the best kept secret in the music business as I point out that many of the groups and artists that they played or produced music with since Giant broke up are among some of my all-time favorites. “You keep showing up in the liner notes of some of my favorite albums.” They’re on everything from Michael W. Smith, dcTalk to Megadeth. I feel like a kid that is giving away too much of my enthusiasm, but I go on. “I open up a record and…”
“There they are again!” At least David seems amused, even as I toss the obscure projects at him like being the founding members of White Heart. David jokes, “We’re like cockroaches.”
It sounds like a strange way to put it. But in a day in age that demands as much tenacity from its musicians as talent. You have to hand it to David to point out the obvious. It’s going to take more than Kurt Cobain to make him go away this time. The return of Giant marks a lineup change. David’s brother Dann is no longer with Giant. And of course I wanted to know why not.
“He’s not a singer anymore. And he didn’t want to come in as just a guitar player.” But David points out that his brother’s stamp of approval is all over Giant’s new album Promise Land, which is signature Giant and in many ways signature Dann Huff too as Dann not only played on a few songs, but lent music from his extensive catalogue in order to be there for the band he helped form. “Dann’s my blood brother. He’d do anything for me. And I’d do anything for him.”
I can hear this on the album, Promise Land. It’s a nod to what Giant does well. Unashamedly, the new line up of Terry Brock, John Roth, David Huff and Mike Brignardello are determined to venture out and remind everyone of their legacy. As I listened to the new music, there is definitely a new story to be told that in some ways takes me back to a time when music was created with less cynicism (and possibly more heart) and definitely more hope. It’s not reinventing the wheel. But Giant doesn’t pretend that they’re doing anything except going back to that one they love to do most – create music. In fact that’s the legacy of Giant. It’s the legacy that David and his brother wish to share with the world. “I come from a family of musicians. And I just want my legacy to be that I loved to play music.” If this is true then David and Giant have succeeded. Let’s hope that the second time around is as kind to them as the first. Sing your song guys, or the world will be diminished for not having heard it sung.
For more information on the new Giant lineup or the new album, go to www.gianttheband.com and lend them your support and let them know that Paul sent ya.
