Have a Nice Day (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Founder | Glenn Lewis, Fiona Lee Maynard, Glenn Maynard |
| Defunct | March 1994 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Have a Nice Day (often abbreviated as HAND) was an Australian power pop ensemble that originated in Melbourne in 1989. The founding lineup consisted of Glenn Lewis on lead guitar, Fiona Lee Maynard handling lead vocals and bass duties, and her brother Glenn Maynard on drums. In 1990, Marc Welsh took over the guitar role from Lewis. The band opened for prominent international artists including Mudhoney, Concrete Blonde, Faith No More, and Suzi Quatro. Their discography includes two studio albums: Explore released in 1991 and Handlelight which came out in 1993. By December 1993, James Lomas succeeded Welsh on guitar, and Monique Boggia joined as a keyboardist before the group dissolved in March 1994.
History
Formed in 1989 by Glenn Lewis alongside siblings Fiona Lee Maynard and Glenn Maynard, Have a Nice Day (HAND) was described by Australian music historian Ian McFarlane as "primarily a power pop group with a metallic edge," fronted by the assured presence of Fiona Lee Maynard. Their musical style drew inspiration from bands such as Cheap Trick, Kiss, The Ramones, Suzi Quatro, and The Buzzcocks.
In 1990, Marc Welsh replaced Glenn Lewis as lead guitarist. During this period, the band supported tours for Mudhoney, Concrete Blonde, Faith No More, and Suzi Quatro. August of that year saw the release of their first single "Fill Me Up," penned by Fiona Lee with its B-side "Jannifer" written by Welsh. Fiona Lee and Welsh also became partners outside the band. Later in 1990, they issued a self-titled six-track EP through Shock Records, produced by Paul Tagg, which was recognized for its vibrant pop energy.
Their first full-length album Explore arrived in September 1991 with production and mixing by Kevin Shirley. Critics praised its fusion of punk, indie rock, metal, and pop elements. McFarlane specifically noted tracks that combined melodic power pop with robust rock influences.
In March 1992, the band released the three-song EP Slipped Away. They toured with American rock band Extreme in April 1993. Following this were two singles: "All of Me" in May and "You Understand" in September of that year. These preceded their sophomore album Handlelight, released in October 1993 and produced by Mark Deamley. This record showcased a softer tone including compelling ballads such as "Not Crying Anymore." By December 1993, James Lomas had taken over guitar duties from Welsh while Monique Boggia joined on keyboards. The band concluded their performances in March 1994.
Subsequent Activities
Fiona Lee Maynard embarked on a solo venture with the release of "Not Crying Anymore" in August 1994, followed by a reimagined version of Handlelight renamed My Time in November that same year. She later married James Lomas after their domestic partnership began during their time together in HAND. In 1995, they formed In Vivo alongside members from Concrete Blonde; this group released a self-titled album in January 1996 produced by Johnette Napolitano. In Vivo toured Australia throughout 1997 and 1998 and expanded their lineup to include guitarist Dave Thomas before issuing the EP Scary in June 1999.
Meanwhile, Glenn Maynard became part of Violetine before joining alternative rock band Pollyanna as drummer during sessions for their second album Hello Halo (1997). He departed prior to the release of their fourth album Didn't Feel a Thing (2001). In June 2013, Fiona Lee organized and performed at a tribute concert honoring Chrissy Amphlett, former lead singer of Divinyls who had died earlier that year.
As of 2025, the Maynard siblings continue performing with Painters and Dockers while Glenn Lewis holds the position of lead guitarist for The Mavis's.
Albums
- Explore (September 1991) – Released under White Label Records, Mushroom Records, and Festival Records (D24002 (D30590))
- Handlelight (October 1993) – Unreleased album; later transformed into Fiona Lee's solo debut in 1994
Extended plays
- Have a Nice Day (late 1990) – Issued by Shock Records (Shock CD 004)
- Slipped Away (March 1992) – Distributed through White Label Records (D11075)
Singles
- "Fill Me Up" (August 1990) – Released via Shock Records (Shock 701)
- "Get to Know You" (1991) – Issued by White Label Records (K11003)
- "All of Me" (May 1993) – Launched through Mushroom Records
- "You Understand" (September 1993) – Distributed by Mushroom Records