By Jason Savio

Plan to head to Ralph’s Rock Diner on Nov. 27 to catch Public Works. That’s right; Public Works will reunite to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Public Works was one of Worcester’s premier bands in the late ’80s and early ’90s, playing numerous shows and recording four EPs. The talents of singer/guitarist Bret Talbert, bassist Todd Kosiewski and drummer Tony Wilson helped propel the young band to quick popularity in a crowded music scene. The three were still teenagers when they performed their first official gig as Public Works at McGillicuddy’s in 1988, showcasing the band’s alternative sound.

“We saw what was going on in the scene, (and) it was mostly just hard rock,” Talbert said. “We tried to look at what was the next thing that was happening and take that to another level and blend it all together.”

Soon, the underage members of Public Works found themselves gaining notoriety and recognition, not only from the fans but from other bands, as well.

While waiting outside of Paradise Rock Club in Boston to see The Wonder Stuff, the three caught site of the group’s singer and managed to give him a copy of their EP The American Electro-Pastel Surge, which he listened to before offering Public Works the chance of a lifetime: to join The Wonder Stuff on tour across the country.

The three immediately dropped everything ~ including college, temporarily ~ to chase their dream. “We had taken on eight different crowds who had never seen us, and we won all of them,” Wilson said of the tour. “It was amazing.”

After a crusade across the states and eventual return to Worcester, Public Works was firing on all cylinders. The band eventually came full circle and performed at the Paradise, opening up for Carter USM, for whom Public Works would record a cover that was released as a B-side in the UK and reached the charts there.

The group made an effort to release its own original single on vinyl; however, unfortunate circumstances led to frustration and disappointment amongst its members and, ultimately, the dissolution of Public Works in 1994.

“It took the wind out of our sails because we didn’t have the record and now we started to fight amongst ourselves about what to do next,” Talbert explained. “But we were still friends.”

In the years following Public Works’ break-up, all three members stayed involved with music through their own individual projects, but their first love was never forgotten.

“We were feeling pretty nostalgic when we were hanging out at Ralph’s last Thanksgiving and contemplating this (reunion) and running into people that are looking at the three of us and saying ‘Hey, are you guys playing again?’” Talbert said of the genesis of the upcoming show. “The time is probably now or never. Twenty-five years is an event, and I think we owe it to ourselves and to the fans that still ask about us.”

Fans are in for a treat at Ralph’s on Nov. 27, with Public Works promising to play all the favorites from its original recordings, along with a few surprises and twists. The excitement is evident for the members of the band, too, who are looking forward to getting back together.

“Being on stage with the boys and having that feeling again,” Kosiewski said. “You know, when you get in that certain pocket or groove, it feels really good, and I miss that feeling.”

There’s no doubt that along with the excitement, there’s an amount of anxiety that comes with trying to bring songs back to life that have been silenced for years, but the members of Public Works still have the spirit and passion to give a great show.

“I think what you kind of live off is a nervous energy of the idea of ‘Can you do it again?’” said Wilson. “There’s no question we can do it.”

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/pages/Public-Works/119147428255618.