We are the Happy Curmudgeons. We release our first album, Meant 2 Be, on Dec. 1, 2017. We are currently on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Reverb Nation, Bandcamp and CD Baby. We have a page on Facebook and Reverb Nation.
The Happy Curmudgeons are a group of studio musicians organized by Dave Hamilton. Hamilton wrote or co-wrote all 11 tracks on their first release, Meant 2 Be. Meant 2 Be was produced by Nate Harasim and Mark Byerly. The Happy Curmudgeons are: Dave Hamilton (Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars) Jeff Warner (Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars and Mandolin) Amy Dixon- Lavery (Vocals) Jay “Tumbleweed” Burrs (Harmonica). Also appearing on Meant 2 Be: Takashi Iio (Bass), Keith Leonard (Bass), Shawn Ramsey (Bass), Dylan Hornsby (Bass), Rick Beamon (Drums) Nate Harasim (Keyboards and Piano – courtesy of Yamaha), Jeff Taboloff (Sax) and Marlow Ray Morgan (Vocals on Burn Sugar Burn)
The Happy Curmudgeons released Meant 2 Be on December 1st, 2017. Their first performance of 2018 will be on February 17 in the Centennial Room at Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids, MI.
[Jeff Taboloff played sax on Soulsville and Marlow Ray Morgan performed lead vocals on Burn Sugar Burn.]
Happy Curmudgeons craft a perfect piece of folk punk and classic rock with the joyous “Meant 2 Be”. Recalling greats like the Violent Femmes, there is an infectious inviting energy that helps to propel the entire collection forward. With nearly a party atmosphere, the songs virtually burst at the seams. Lyrically playful, the Happy Curmudgeons go for something that feels so real and so raw. Attention to detail proves of the utmost importance, as Happy Curmudgeons chooses a celebratory spirit to their approach. Over the course of the album a defiance emerges, one that is further emphasized by the warm vocals that center everything.
On “3rd Coast” Happy Curmudgeons tap into Americana’s wonderful spirit, with loose acoustic guitars that seem to radiate a dreamy disposition. Wild and unhinged “Soulsville” appears to be aptly named, with a bluesy soulful take on the sound. Guitars ring out with a multifaceted multilayered quality of the whole piece. Pastoral and pitch perfect the title track “Meant 2 Be” has a tenderness to it. With an early 90s alt rock spirit to it is the spacious “Idle Time”. Heavy and hard-hitting “Carnal Boogie” offers colossal riffs that deserve to be blasted at the highest possible volume. A communal quality informs the passionate “Burn Sugar Burn” which features some blistering acid rock solos. Running through with pure joy “Bar Hoppin” goes for a giddy, gleeful temperament.
“Meant 2 Be” shows off the impressive chops of the Happy Curmudgeons in creating a work that feels so alive.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Dave Hamilton started the Happy Curmudgeons on August 1, 2015. He was born in Ohio and grew there and in Michigan. He went to Miami University where he minored in music. Dave met Neil Young, Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson while taking music classes and performing in the Cincinnati area. Lou Reed and Neil Young encouraged him to pursue his love of music. Amy Dixon-Lavery and Jeff Warner were the next two members that established the band and took their songs to the studio.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Practice a lot! Concentrate on your own material more than cover tracks. It is more valuable to create your own voice. Play live and learn from each performance.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Sure, recover the best you can. Sometimes mistakes can lead to beautiful things.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
We are working on tour dates for 2018. Meant 2 Be is an album full of different genres. Diversity opens the door to a wider audience.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
No plans for upgrades, but we learned a lot while making Meant 2 Be. We are looking forward to recording our new material and would like to work with Nate Harasim and Mark Byerly (our producers) again.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Live performances, radio appearances and social media are starting to work for us. A dedicated fan base is the most valuable thing overall. We would never take our audience for granted.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton would be top picks. If I had to pick one, it would be Bob Dylan. I would love to write a song with him and perform it together.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Amy Dixon-Lavery and Jeff Warner are currently writing new material. Jay “Tumbleweed” Burrs is working on some new harmonica tunes. It is better for us to play the songs live first and see what works for the studio.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
We do not see NOT playing music as a option. Music is a part of our soul.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
We would like to get a chance to play for a lot of people in the next year. It would help us develop solid songs for a second album.
The Happy Curmudgeons look forward to
playing in the Midwest in the Spring & Summer
of 2018. Future show dates will be released at
the website and on social media.
