Die Happy (band)
Encyclopedia
Die Happy was a Christian metal
band that formed in 1990. The band was formed when Vengeance Rising
members Larry Farkas, Doug Thieme, Glenn Mancaruso, and Roger Dale Martin split the band, citing unrest with that band's front man and vocalist, Roger Martinez. They hired Robin Kyle Bassuri, formerly of Joshua
, as a vocalist and he officially joined the band after the release of their eponymous debut.
At the time of their first album the band was seen as "Vengeance Rising with a new Vocalist". For their second release, however, their sound changed to more of a hard, classic rock sound. Lyrically, the band was socially focused. Songs dealt with issues such as Magic Johnson
and HIV
-AIDS
("Real") and American Indian
massacres ("Painted Truth").
formed the band Red Sea. Hiring Chris Howell on guitar and Jeff Martin
on drums, the band released one album, Blood, on Rugged Records in 1994. They were initially scheduled for a support tour with Ken Tamplin
, but were dropped in favor of Greg X. Volz
. Musically, they were compared to the English band Deep Purple
.
Larry Farkas and Doug Thieme had reformed under the new name "Once Dead" with Vengeance member Glenn Mancaruso and the addition of Ultimatum vocalist Scott Waters. Originally planning to be a reunion, Martinez owned the original rights to the name. Instead of fighting for the rights to "Vengeance Rising," they instead used the name "Once Dead."
Christian metal
Christian metal, also known as white metal, is a form of heavy metal music usually defined by its message in a song's lyrics as well as the band's dedication to Christianity...
band that formed in 1990. The band was formed when Vengeance Rising
Vengeance Rising
Vengeance Rising is an American Christian thrash metal band from Los Angeles, CA. Fronted by vocalist Roger Martinez, they originally formed as Vengeance in 1987, but changed their name in 1989 to avoid conflict with another band from the Netherlands...
members Larry Farkas, Doug Thieme, Glenn Mancaruso, and Roger Dale Martin split the band, citing unrest with that band's front man and vocalist, Roger Martinez. They hired Robin Kyle Bassuri, formerly of Joshua
Joshua (band)
Joshua is a Christian metal band that formed in 1980. The band re-formed many times under differing names, but has remained centered around guitarist Joshua Perahia...
, as a vocalist and he officially joined the band after the release of their eponymous debut.
At the time of their first album the band was seen as "Vengeance Rising with a new Vocalist". For their second release, however, their sound changed to more of a hard, classic rock sound. Lyrically, the band was socially focused. Songs dealt with issues such as Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
and HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
-AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
("Real") and American Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
massacres ("Painted Truth").
Related Projects
Following the demise of Die Happy, Robin Kyle Bassuri and bassist Greg ChaissonGreg Chaisson
Greg Chaisson is a bass guitarist who has been in various bands including Badlands, Surgical Steel , Legs Diamond, Blindside Blues Band, Die Happy, and Red Sea. He was also involved with the band Steeler, which was Yngwie Malmsteen's first American band and was started by Ron Keel. He currently...
formed the band Red Sea. Hiring Chris Howell on guitar and Jeff Martin
Jeff Martin
Jeff Martin may refer to:*Jeff Martin , lead vocalist for the bands Surgical Steel and Racer X*Jeff Martin , guitarist/singer-songwriter and frontman for the Tea Party...
on drums, the band released one album, Blood, on Rugged Records in 1994. They were initially scheduled for a support tour with Ken Tamplin
Ken Tamplin
Ken Tamplin is an American Christian rock performer and vocal coach. Tamplin is known for his 4 octave vocal range and has composed music for television and movies.-Early years:...
, but were dropped in favor of Greg X. Volz
Greg X. Volz
Gregory Xavier Volz is a Christian singer. He is most noted for being the former lead singer of Christian rock band Petra from 1979 to 1985 and is currently the lead vocalist of the reunited lineup.-Biography:...
. Musically, they were compared to the English band Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
.
Larry Farkas and Doug Thieme had reformed under the new name "Once Dead" with Vengeance member Glenn Mancaruso and the addition of Ultimatum vocalist Scott Waters. Originally planning to be a reunion, Martinez owned the original rights to the name. Instead of fighting for the rights to "Vengeance Rising," they instead used the name "Once Dead."
Discography
- 1992: Die Happy (Intense RecordsIntense RecordsIntense Records was an independent record label whose releases were mostly in the metal genre. Intense was bought out in 1989 by Frontline Records and became an imprint of that company...
, Review: Cross Rhythms) - 1993: Volume 2 (Intense Records)
- 1993: Intense Live Series Vol. 4 (Intense Records)
Members
- Robin Kyle Bassuri - vocals
- Larry Farkas - guitars
- Doug Thieme - guitars
- Glenn Mancaruso - drums
- Roger Dale Martin - bass (-93)
- Greg Chaisson - bass (93+)
External links
- Profile at Encyclopaedia MetallumEncyclopaedia MetallumEncyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives is a website which lists bands from various forms of heavy metal music...
- Profile at BNR Metal
- Profile at No Life Til Metal
- Robyn Kyle Basauri at Shoutlife