Original members: Hank Hoffman, Jay Mundy, Richard Brown, John Columbus, Jeff Fisher. Subusequent members include the ever-faithful Tom "Tumbleweed" Smith, Jim Montez, Andy Karlok, Maya Rossi, Ray Neal, Randy Stone, Warren McGuire, Clark Huckaby, John Venter, John Smayda.
Influences
The Beatles, the Byrds, Ramones, Chuck Berry, Sun Ra, Bob Dylan, 13th Floor Elevators, Love, John Coltrane, Johnny Thunders, Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa, Yardbirds, Kinks, Sonics, John Cage, MC5, Velvet Underground, the Clash, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Patti Smith, Dave Clark 5, Radio Reptiles, Looking For Jobs, Dada Banks
Sounds Like
The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, Ramones, Velvet Underground, R.E.M., Love, Sun Ra, raw electric rock 'n' roll with loads of reverb, an occasional blast of sizzling fuzztone, Roger McGuinn-ish chiming 12-string playing. A few songs with lyrical alto sax playing and, every now and then, pure abstract dementia a la the Stooges' "L.A. Blues." Because it's fun to make noize.
Happy Ending was formed by songwriters Hank Hoffman and Jay Mundy. After getting together occasionally for a couple of years to play each others' lyrically dark but earthy rock 'n' roll--as well as classic 1960's covers and extended free-form abstract psychedelic jams--they recruited several friends to record an album. "Have A Nice Day!" was recorded in the spring of 1983 in two day-long Sunday sessions. Jay and Hank both sang and played guitar, backed up by bassist Jeff Fisher, drummer John Columbus and alto sax player Richard "Doc Equis" Brown. Wedding dark lyrics reflecting Reagan-era fears over nuclear war, environmental degradation and unemployment with what reviewer John Morthland called "charging hard rock or folk rock with dueling guitars, psychedelic overtones and nods toward Chuck Berry and Bob Dylan," "Have A Nice Day!" was released as a vinyl LP with an accompanying 7-inch 45 and lyric/collage booklet. In Op magazine, editor John Foster termed it "a future cult item for the collectors...if there is a future."
Alas, there wasn't much of a future for the original lineup. After two shows at the legendary New Haven club The Grotto, bassist Jeff Fisher moved out of state and songwriter Jay chose the contemplative life of the hermit. Hank has continued the Happy Ending brand since, releasing the CD "Smile For The Camera" in 1996 and playing New Haven clubs like the Grotto, the Moon and Cafe Nine.
On May 27, 2006 the original lineup--with special guests--will play a reunion show in Wallingford, CT. The group will churn through all of the original album cuts, a couple being played live for the first time ever. "Doom rock" has never been more relevant!
Well, we made it through another one!...Year that is. Sorry I missed the get-together. I got sidetracked and derailed on my way over. I'll see ya round da ranch!...Till then...
HH...your the best (or very close to it!)...Thanks again for the tunes and as always, you and the rest of the crew (Jane, Matt) are always welcome to come down to the studio and party afterwards. Thanks and Stay Floatin'!
Yo HH, Hope all is well and you're feelin' better. Monday went smooth. Thanks for callin' about the hrs. It helped us both out. See ya round the ranch on Sunday I guess. Till then...
I had food, fun, and there was friends. What's there not to like. Thanks again for the invite and all I can say is let's do it again. How about this Sunday!
