Blab Happy
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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 | 1987ā1993 |
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.