The DoubleHappys
Encyclopedia
The DoubleHappys were a short-lived but influential rock band based in Dunedin
, New Zealand
, and part of the Dunedin Sound
music wave of the 1980s. The band was formed initially by former Bored Games members Shayne Carter
and Wayne Elsey after the demise of Elsey's other band The Stones
in 1983.
They employed an old and erratic drum machine (christened "Herbie Fuckface"). Herbie proved too erratic and it was not long before the duo opted to recruit former school friend John Collie
to provide a more reliable rhythm section. They took part in the Flying Nun
"Looney Tour" in February 1984, traveling around the country with various other bands, cutting a single, the "Double B-side" ("The Other's Way" and "Anyone Else Would"), in March.
Early in 1985, the band recorded an EP, Cut it Out and embarked on a short tour in June. Towards the end of the tour the band were traveling south from Auckland by train, and Elsey, in high spirits, climbed out of a carriage. The train passed under a bridge, killing Elsey instantly.
The two remaining members of the band decided not to continue with the name, but later formed the nucleus of Straitjacket Fits
.
A compilation CD Nerves which features the single, EP, and live tracks, was released in 1992.
"The Other's Way" was covered by Melbourne
, Australia band The Glory Box
on their 1991 album 'Fudgeland'.
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, and part of the Dunedin Sound
Dunedin Sound
The Dunedin sound was a style of indie pop music created in the southern New Zealand university city of Dunedin in the early 1980s.-Characteristics:...
music wave of the 1980s. The band was formed initially by former Bored Games members Shayne Carter
Shayne Carter
Shayne Carter is best-known for being the Straitjacket Fits' principal singer/songwriting/guitarist in the late 80s/early 90s, and later on a founding member of Dimmer.Carter comes from a musical family...
and Wayne Elsey after the demise of Elsey's other band The Stones
The Stones (New Zealand band)
The Stones were a New Zealand band from Dunedin named after The Rolling Stones. One of the earliest bands to record on the Flying Nun label, they helped form the style of music known as the Dunedin Sound, along with label mates such as The Chills, The Verlaines and Sneaky Feelings, all of whom...
in 1983.
They employed an old and erratic drum machine (christened "Herbie Fuckface"). Herbie proved too erratic and it was not long before the duo opted to recruit former school friend John Collie
John Collie (musician)
John Collie is the former drummer for New Zealand band Straitjacket Fits. Collie was previously a member of Doublehappys with Shayne Carter,Eggleton , p. 108 a band which he had joined in 1984...
to provide a more reliable rhythm section. They took part in the Flying Nun
Flying Nun Records
Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s...
"Looney Tour" in February 1984, traveling around the country with various other bands, cutting a single, the "Double B-side" ("The Other's Way" and "Anyone Else Would"), in March.
Early in 1985, the band recorded an EP, Cut it Out and embarked on a short tour in June. Towards the end of the tour the band were traveling south from Auckland by train, and Elsey, in high spirits, climbed out of a carriage. The train passed under a bridge, killing Elsey instantly.
The two remaining members of the band decided not to continue with the name, but later formed the nucleus of Straitjacket Fits
Straitjacket Fits
Straitjacket Fits formed in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1986 and were a prominent band in the Flying Nun label's second wave of the Dunedin Sound.-Biography:...
.
A compilation CD Nerves which features the single, EP, and live tracks, was released in 1992.
"The Other's Way" was covered by Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia band The Glory Box
The Glory Box (Australian band)
The Glory Box were an Indie pop / Indie rock band from Melbourne, Australia. They existed from ~1988 until their breakup ~1994. They released several 7" vinyl singles and a 12" vinly EP, as well as a full length CD album and a compilation CD on Shock Records, Australia's largest independent record...
on their 1991 album 'Fudgeland'.