++ And what were the best gigs that you remember? Any anecdotes you can share?
They were all good fun, as I remember. It snowed a fair bit on the day of our debut gig, so we quite surprised to get a good audience. We played one gig where our drummer had to run off (literally, I think!) to another bar and play a second gig with another band straight away. Another, we were the only band left on the bill, we were a guitarist short, and we had to fill about 2 hours. A few songs got their only live airing that night!
++ And were there any bad ones?
No, they were all good fun.
++ When and why did Happyhouse stop making music? Were any of you involved in any other projects afterwards?
The university calendar probably didn’t help – straight after out last gig, it was the summer vacation and we went our separate ways for a bit. When we returned, I decided we should try to get a female vocalist. There was one audition, it didn’t work out, and things basically fizzled out after that. I don’t think I even recorded any solo demos after 1991.
As mentioned before, Kris played in loads of bands, I think he worked as a session drummer, he certainly filled in as a touring drummer for a few bands who DID make records (Ludicrous Lollipops I remember, Midway Still perhaps? All a fog now).
Late in 1995, Chris & I formed a very short-lived band, Roobarb with a drummer who lived next door to us (Stuart Saunderson), for the sole purpose of playing a pub gig for someone’s birthday in January 1996. Practices were held, and we ended up playing a second ‘proper’ gig a few days later at the Filly & Firkin in the city (probably supporting Stuart’s main band, Figgis, at a guess). No original stuff here! The band had a definite end-date as I moved to Abingdon (Oxford) the following week for a new job.
Stuart later played with David Cronenberg’s Wife, who released lots of records ☺
Chris has also played in a few bands in the Manchester area from the 2010s.
++ Also after the band split you were a music photographer for an Oxford magazine. What magazine was that? What did the job consist of? And did you photograph big bands? indie bands?
Yes, Oxford was a bit of a change, there seemed to be music everywhere. I spent a year or so going to the ‘bigger’ indie gigs, much like I’d have done in Nottingham, and then gradually to more local band gigs, where I got to know some of the people involved in the music paper (Nightshift, still going – nightshiftmag.co.uk), the promoters and the bands. If I could have been in this position in 1990, maybe happyhouse would have had a different life ☺ I didn’t fancy starting up or playing in a band, so I started taking photos of the gigs, and by early 1998 they started appearing in the paper (and also my own website). As this got me into gigs for free, I started going more and more, so at times there was hardly a night when I wasn’t covering something. Not great for the day job! I also went to London quite a bit, and got the odd photo in other papers and magazines (NME, Time Out). That put me in touch with more indie labels – I took quite a few for Fortuna Pop! – Sean ‘paid’ me in records ☺ Also managed to get a photography credit on the Marine Research CD – photos were taken at a Candyskins gig!
As for photographing the ‘big’ bands, I generally managed to avoid them, either by accident or design. I was at a tiny Coldplay gig with my camera in early 2000 in Oxford, had a quick look, decided against, and returned to the bar. Well done me, they’d have been worth a few quid now. I did cover Snow Patrol at around the same time, I suppose they were the ‘biggest’, and also the earlier incarnations of Foals. But I focussed on the smaller indie bands/ local bands. Prolapse were definitely the best!
++ Was there any interest from the radio? TV?
Er, no ☺
++ What about the press? Did they give you any attention?
The first gig was reviewed (with photo!) in the Nottingham Uni newspaper. I was interviewed after our last gig by someone from the Sheffield Uni newspaper (at least think that’s what he said).
++ What about fanzines?
No. We didn’t play enough, not at all in the city centre. I don’t even remember any local fanzines – I’m sure they must have existed. The Fat Tulips were around at the time in Nottingham, their Heaven Records label was running at the time, I bought quite a few of the singles they released. I’ve still got FT tapes that I was given at the time, obviously not proper releases, so I must have known someone.
++ Looking back in retrospect, what would you say was the biggest highlight for the band?
The first gig, as it was a long time in the planning! (Here’s a clipping of a review of this first gig!)
++ Aside from music, what other hobbies do you have?
At age 19, it was pretty much music, music, music and beer, although I was a very conscientious maths student too!
++ Never been to Musbury or Devon, but have been in Nottingham. So I want to ask you, as a local. What do you suggest checking out in your town, like what are the sights one shouldn’t miss? Or the traditional food or drinks that you love that I should try?
Moving to Devon was well after the band’s existence, and I left Nottingham nearly 30 years ago, so I don’t think I’d be the best person to ask!
++ Anything else you’d like to add?
The above is all making a very small band who only played live over a 4 month period and only really existed for a year or so sound far more important than we actually were ☺
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Listen
Happyhouse – You Know
