Blab Happy were a British indie band from Leicester formed in 1987,[1] comprising Mick McCarthy, Jon Dennis, Tony Owen and Jeremy Clay. After two EPs released on their own Wisdom label won airplay on John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show, and enthusiastic reviews in New Musical Express, Sounds and Melody Maker, they were signed by Demon Records offshoot F-Beat, for whom they released 2 albums, 1991's Boat and 1993's Smothered. The NME's Gina Morris, wrote of the band: "Blab Happy are a cheerful Leicester four piece, smirking between That Petrol Emotion, Blur, and The Beatles".[2] Blab Happy toured in their own right and as support to bands such as Radiohead,[1] Kingmaker,[1] and Squeeze. The band split up in 1993, with singer Mick McCarthy and bassist Tony Owen forming Perfume, who enjoyed the patronage of BBC Radio 1 DJs Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley, having a minor hit in 1996 with "Haven't Seen You".[3] Jon Dennis meanwhile formed Slinky,[1] who also won airplay from Lamacq and Whiley with two singles produced by John Robb and were finalists in the 1995 In the City contest.
Blab Happy | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Leicester, England |
| Genres | Indie pop |
| Years active | 1987–1993 |
| Labels | Wisdom, F-Beat |
| Past members | Mick McCarthy Jon Dennis Tony Owen Jeremy Clay |
Dennis and Clay both went on to work as journalists - Dennis writing and presenting podcasts for The Guardian,[4] and Clay for the Leicester Mercury. Clay has also written books, including "Blokes With Balls" and "The Burglar Caught By A Skeleton" Dennis currently records as part of Loaded Knife, whose 2 singles have won support from Rob Da Bank and Lamacq, and the late John Peel.
Videos
editDiscography
editSingles
edit- "Turned Out Nice Again" (1987), Wisdom
- Fruits Of Our Labour EP (1988), Wisdom
- Mad Surge EP (1991), F-Beat
- "Never No More" (1991), F-Beat
- "Down" (1991), F-Beat
- "Inside Out" (1992), F-Beat
- Blinding EP (1993), F-Beat
Albums
edit- Boat (1991), F-Beat (a limited edition LP version came with a bonus 12" EP and a poster)
- Down
- You Need Light
- The Silent People
- Inside Out
- Fountain
- Wisecrack Me Up
- Valentine
- Monkey Puzzle
- Whose Driving Freefall
- Someday Soon
- Wisecrack Me Up (Reprise)
- Valentia
- Prospect Hill
- Grief
Bonus 12" EP
- Valentia
- Prospect Hill
- Grief
- Smothered (1993), F-Beat
- Sean
- Blinding
- Seven Years
- Bernadette
- Soul Morning
- Butcher
- I Know It's Not Worth Listening
- That's All
- Smothered
- The Hope Song #1
- Tender Hooks
- O Mary Love
- The Hope Song #2
- Fortune's Famous Fool
References
edit- ^ a b c d Gregory, Andy (2002) International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002, Europa, ISBN 1-85743-161-8, p. 133
- ^ Morris, Gina (1991) Blab Happy article, NME, June 1991
- ^ Strong, Martin C.: "The Great Indie Discography", 1999, Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1
- ^ Radio days | | Guardian Unlimited Arts
External links
edit
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