The music of Black Happy

Back in the 90's, the Seattle music scene was where it was happening. There was a band that came out of Coeur D' Alene, Idaho named Black Happy that was probably the best and most original band to emerge during that era. They didn't really last long, but they were great. The band had 9 members: 2 drummers, 2 guitarists, a bass player, 2 trombonists, a saxophone player, and the lead singer. The lead singer's name was Paul Hemenway, who I have heard is now a minister in the midwest. (I don't know if that's true or not, it's just what I have heard. Considering that they were a rather religious group, I wouldn't be surprised at all.)

Their music was simply great: different, uplifting (rare in music anymore) and very well done. I really miss them, and wish my CDs of their music weren't stolen. I had 4 CDs: Friendly Dog Salad, Peghead, The Last Polka, and an album made by 4 of the members after the band broke up called Shoveljerk. I wish I could find them again.

A few lyrics from the song The Life and Times of...

I'm just walkin down the street singin' that same old song
I've sung a thousand times before, I know the verse
I know the chorus, I even know the part before
It's called we're gonna' even the score


And a few Lyrics from the song Home...

So many things have changed in my short life
that I thought would always be there
Yet when all that passes by my eyes none of it
will come as a big surprise, I'm expecting it
To tell the truth I know that when my eyes are closed
and shut again I'll be happy that way

Cause if I don't know where I'm going
if I don't know where I've been
maybe you can show me now
can you tell me how
I'm going home