Interview
(Progressive Newsletter Nr.50 12/04)
excerpts from an interview with Stan Whitaker (Guitar,Vocals)
The main trigger was discovering that we had an international fan base via the internet and were mentioned with reverence on many progressive music websites. We really had no idea we had a fan base much less an international one! The final trigger though would be when I was playing with a progressive rock group called Ten Jinn at a festival in Baja, Mexico in 1999 and when the word got out that I was from Happy the Man I was inundated with autograph seekers from all over the world. I couldn't believe it! Then two festival promoters from Nearfest approached me and told me if I put Happy the Man back together with even one or two of the other original members we'd be headlining these festivals. I told them they were crazy but they put an offer in writing for us to headline Nearfest 2000 which was the first time I had seriously considered reforming HTM. I called Rick and Frank and they were way into it which was enough for me to move back to the east coast to live with Frank in Virginia and write music. Ron from 'Crafty Hands' was also into it so all of a sudden we had 4 out of 5 original members.
Was it clear right from the start to play and compose in the typical Happy The Man style as a continuation of the music of the past or were there also ideas in trying out something new?
Yeah, we really loved the music we wrote back then, especially from the two Arista albums, and we wanted to maintain the same style, sound and integrity that made HTM what it was. We weren't really interested in trying something 'new' other than embracing the newer sonic technology and equipment. Nice to not have to lug around huge Hammond organs and Fender Rhodes pianos!
Why did it took such a long time after the reunion to release a new studio album, as a lot of the material already has been presented live, for example at Nearfest 2000?
Yeah, we did play five new songs at Nearfest. The next two years were spent sifting thru material to choose and 'hone' the rest of the songs for the cd. We also had a few drummer distractions thrown in there. With everyone trying to maintain their respective livelihoods, getting together to rehearse was very difficult. And with as much time as we like to spend getting each song to it's full potential it took some time! Then we did some shows in 2002 to 'test-drive' the new material. Some further 'honing' took place, we held drummer auditions and got a new drummer in January of 2004, started recording in March and here we are with a new cd in October! When you look at it from our perspective it really didn't take that long! Since it's been 25 years since we've had a new cd out there we want it to be 'right'
It also took a while to find the right drummer. How did you finally found Joe Bergamini and why where the other one before him replaced or quit the band?
Ron just didn't have the time to put into it. He writes music for film and tv documentaries and is really, really busy. We held auditions and Joe was simply the best man for the job. He had elements of all three HTM drummers plus brought his own distinctive style to the music, which excited us all, so he got the gig. We're hoping he breaks our 'Spinal Tapian' cycle of a different drummer on each album!
Over which period of time where the songs on the album composed and recorded and how did the band members participate in the process?
All of the songs were written within the past five years specifically for this reunion. We luckily have quite a backlog of material now, so we already have more than enough songs for the next cd! The way we arrange toons is basically when one of us brings a song to the band we initially let each member come up with their own part. Each song has to have everybody's creative input. If the writer has distinct ideas for parts then those are also tried. Then everything is twisted and turned until the right individual parts are found. Once the parts are solidified the song begins to take shape and is 'honed' and polished until we all absolutely love it. The end result is the culmination of a LOT of ideas being tried and a unanimous concensus on the final form.
How do you come up with this bizarre song titles like "Barking spiders" or "Lunch at the Psychedelicatessen"?
We've always had an appreciation for the absurd, probably Monty Python inspired, and so we try not to take ourselves too seriously. Better to take one's self 'lightly'. Our music is serious enough without our titles having to be. HTM music tends to be quite 'visual' in nature probably because of it being mostly instrumental. Folks get to use their imaginations. A lot of my songs are basically soundtracks for cartoons or movies in my head. I know Frank's the same way. We cover a wide range of emotions with our music and interject some humor in there to keep it fun. Humor is a very important and often neglected element in music.
Only “Shadowlites” contains vocals this time, but there are plans to include more vocals in the future. Can you tell a little more about it?
Yeah, "Shadowlites" was simply the only vocal tune presented to the band at the time. Lyrics are not my strong suit, however, they are Frank's and he's been very prolific lately. So, it looks like we'll have a few more vocal toons on the next cd. I've been singing a lot since HTM broke up in 1979 so the 'pipes' are much stronger now and the band wants to do more vocal toons.
In which other activies are the band members involved at the moment?
Right now I'm earning a living doing solo and duo acoustic gigs, Frank has a great recording studio and designs and builds beautiful custom kitchens, Rick is an accountant for numerous musical clientele, David has played with Billy Joel for the past ten years and has a lovely recording studio and lastly Joe does drum clinics, has a few cds out and plays drums with the broadway production of 'Movin' Out'.
Are there any further live activities planned, even playing in Europe somewhere in the future?
Oh yeah, we've got a few gigs booked already in November on the east coast to coincide with the cd release. We plan on playing live shows as often as we can. That was always our favorite experience with Happy the Man. Nothing like it. Very powerful stuff with an audience. The gigs we did over the past few years were the most fun gigs we ever did! We're so looking forward to these upcoming shows. We love our new drummer Joe and really look forward to doing gigs with him. We're already getting offers from all over the country and the cd's not even out for another three weeks! If you ever want to see where we're playing or just see what the 'latest' is you can always go to our website at www.happytheman.com We'd love to play in Germany! When do we leave? I lived outside of Frankfurt in a lovely little town called Oberursel for a few years in my most formative young music years (1969-1972) where I was exposed to all the bands that became the main influences for HTM!
Kristian Selm © Progressive Newsletter 2004