FAB - 1980 - "Happy People"
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- Опубліковано 20 жов 2024
- The only single from this Adelaide trio, released on RCA in 1985. Produced by Eddie Rayner, this song is a significant tempo increase on their demo and the original live version, making it an altogether brighter track but losing what was, in my opinion, the irony of the title.
Love this song!!!!
I remember seeing this on Top 40 Video on a Saturday morning and was so proud that an Adelaide band still based in Adelaide was on TV.
Great song by a great local band. The video was shot in Rymill House in Hutt St and directed by Scott Hicks of 'Shine' fame. Take me back to the days of 5KA and Music Express! Adelaide was a great place to be in the 80's.
my first band used to support these guys at places like the tivoli etc
Stock standard band to see in Adelaide in the early 80s. Driving bass, heavy use of chorus on guitars. Think I bought the single. Never get sick of this song. Memories of them at Adelaide uni, either the bar or refectories. I saw Skeez's tags everywhere during 85. Every railway station south of the city.
The wall that Wicky is painting on is still there. It's still a car park and it's exactly the same as it was in 1985 - the door arch on the left and drainpipe on the right are still there. The address (242 Pirie Street, Adelaide) is painted on the wall at top right of the picture at 2:24.
Stuart went on to record quite a few songs in a similar vein as part of Those Kodiaks, he also had an originals band called Big Day for a while but I don't think they released anything. He plays in a country folk band called The Beggars and a blues group called The Blue Katz as well as writing and performing music for Theatre productions.
Thank you for uploading this. Adeaide in the '80s was flat-out brilliant. Looking for Tubby Justice clips also
Great song. I still have this 45 and give it a regular blast. I'm privileged to do the occasional gig with Stu and Warwick
Finally found this after years of searching! A happy little # from a 'FAB' band indeed!
Just discovered this last night on Rage. Absolutely love it! Brings a smile to my face :)
I always liked this terrific song from when it was featured on Countdown in 1985, and was delighted to find a copy of the vinyl 7" single a few years ago. One of those little-known gems of Aussie pop/rock in the 80s.
Love it !! ❤ ..Haven't heard it in forever
Always loved this song last part looks like it was filmed in burnside town hall, where they had seniors dance club every forghtnigh
Thankyou so much David for the upload. I have been searching for this bands song and video clip Happy people for many years. Now I have found it sounds great. I purchased the single many years ago and misplaced it somewhere , so glad to hear that song again sure brings back memories cheers, just good South Aussie music. Just Fabulous
Was at fab gig in 1980 and steely smiled at me while playing that song will never forget that moment 😏😎🗻
Auto correct a 21 century bitch! 👹👿🌏
Why can’t I stream this song anywhere 😢
Thankyou for the upload David. Brings back memories from long ago. It really was a good song. Cheers mate.
I was 14 when this came out and adored it. I saw them at the Bonney Theatre in Bamera on a country tour soon after. My school music class got to check out their rig and go backstage during the day preceding the gig. The drummer John Zak, showed us his kit. I asked if the chunks out of his cymbals made a special sound. He said 'no, I can't afford to buy new ones when I break them'.... wow, they were poor and weren't driving in limo's or flying in jet airplanes (a la money for nothin). Wow, what a deflation of the rock idol. ... but that night they played a great gig. I'll never forget it.
A great track! I vaguely remember the production on the original version wasn't the best but on this one it's clear and I still think it is terrific.
Takes me back...
What a smashing song. Cant believe I forgot about it.
Always luved this
great song from these guys and I purchased the single all those years ago, a melodic gem
Before they were FAB, I reckon they were called Division4 (?) Saw them play at the Clare Show c. 1984
Saw these guys heaps of times playing the Tivoli in Pirie Street. They were brilliant musicians and a great band. No-one else at the time came close. This was a good song but not their best. Should have gone a lot further then they did. I used to get drum lessons from Jon Zak in the hope I could be one tenth as good as him. He was a really nice dude and he remains the best drummer I've ever seen play live - period. Thanks for the post.
definitely inspired me to play drums
The wall painting parts were filmed across the road diagonally from the Tivoli.
Were these guys ever in a local Adelaide group called 'Division 4'?
Yes with Andrew Ward
Totally agree with David's summary - I first heard this song at the 5MMM(now 3D Radio) Battle of the Bands that the band won with this song, and Iooked forward to hearing it on record. It was a major disappointment - and not because this is a bad version, great song, great playing, great vocals --- but the production completely changed the song! I remember going, "What Have They Done!!"
I haven't seen or heard this song probably since '85 or '86. Its still a great song. I still remember John Zak visiting my high school once and it was like, "wow, a celebrity is here"... ;) Also, kind of knew the graffitti artist in the clip too, Wicky, although his street name from memory was Skeez (sp?). He was great on a BMX too.
Pretty sure he rode for Redline (he was sponsored by them). They were the days indeed. I'd go back there in a heartbeat if I could...
Yeah, I'm in SA... I used to like Music Express. Great show. Can't agree with you on the Hagar comment. You be talking crazy ;)
*****
5150 is the name of Eddie's studio and also one of his most famous guitars. Thats why its on my name, not because of the album...
Would go back too in a flash Dutchy. What a great period in time.
Which high school was it? I remember seeing him at Findon High performing
So glad to find this again. I had the 45 back a million years ago. Then it along with all my records was stolen. At least I can now hear it with my ears rather than just in my head...mainly because Im a garbage singer and cant play an instrument to save my life.
brings me much nostalgia for Adelaide in 85 but also - why was bass recording so good back then? Think vspy vspy - was it the tape v digital? Anyway Ive always wondered did REM steal this tune?
Where are the Lads now?...2022
John Zak lives in Melboune, Stuart Day and Warwick Cheatle are still based in Adelaide
Can someone explain the song meaning?
Did this band ever play in Coober Pedy?
Can someone actually tell me what the words to the chorus are? Cant quite crack it.
"Happy people just sit by themselves and laugh"
I think they were called Red then Green before this.
Did these guys ever release anything else?
Only a limited-edition six-track cassette titled "The Final 19mins. 30secs." released in 1987.
Blues Cat, folks.