Hurrah!
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | early 1980s |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Albums, singles |
Hurrah! was a British jangle pop group established in the early 1980s, remaining active until 1991. The band featured two members who alternated as lead vocalists, offering varied vocal styles across their tracks.
Line-up
Initially called the Green-Eyed Children, Hurrah! comprised Paul Handyside (guitar and vocals), David 'Taffy' Hughes (guitar and vocals), David Porthouse (bass), and Mark Sim (drums), who was soon replaced by Damien Mahoney. Following Mahoney's departure in 1986, Steve Price took over drumming duties, and after Price relocated to the United States, Adrian Evans became the band's drummer.
Releases
Hurrah! were among the inaugural artists signed by Kitchenware Records, debuting with the single "The Sun Shines Here" in 1982. Their follow-up single "Hip Hip" climbed to No. 21 on the UK indie chart, succeeded by "Who'd Have Thought," which reached No. 7 in 1984. Early material was compiled into the album Boxed released in 1985.
Under Kitchenware’s partnership with Arista Records, Hurrah! reissued Tell God I'm Here, featuring a re-recorded version of "How Many Rivers" with Steve Price on drums and production by Steve Brown. Their first major-label album attained No. 71 on the UK Albums Chart in 1987. The single "Sweet Sanity" was distributed in both the UK and US markets; however, its video faced bans on several American television channels due to controversial content.
In 1989, Hurrah! delivered their second major-label album, The Beautiful, produced by Simon Hanhart and Chris Kimsey and primarily recorded at Surrey’s Ridge Farm Studio. The album's only single release was "Big Sky." After parting ways with Arista that same year, Steve Price left the group in 1990, and the band ultimately dissolved in 1991 following their last single "That Dream's Over Now." A compilation titled The Sound of Philadelphia was issued in 1993.
Speculation about an unreleased 'lost album' from just before their dissolution was confirmed with the 2010 release of The Return of the Cool via Cherry Red Records.
Tours
In March 1987, Hurrah! supported the Stranglers during their 'Dreamtime' Tour, which concluded with three performances at the Hammersmith Odeon. They also opened for U2 at Wembley during the early shows of The Joshua Tree tour in June 1987. That summer saw them supporting David Bowie on his Glass Spider tour across Germany.
Their inaugural US tour occurred in October and November 1987 as part of the Coors-sponsored "Four Play" tour alongside Royal Court of China, Will (Sexton) & the Kill, and Northern Pikes. The bands rotated headline spots and performed complimentary concerts at clubs and universities throughout major American cities.
In 1988, Hurrah! toured Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan following an invitation from the British Arts Council. As one of the earliest Western bands to perform in the Middle East, they were accompanied by armed security personnel at all times. To honor cultural sensitivities in these countries, their album was promoted under the title Tell Them I'm Here.
Post break-up
Following Hurrah!'s disbandment, David 'Taffy' Hughes established Star Witness (later renamed Candy Coloured Clowns), releasing a demo tape titled "Welcome to Razor Town" in 1996. He continues to play guitar in The Girl with the Replaceable Head, a duo featuring vocalist Sylvia.
Paul Handyside pursued a solo career under the name Bronze, issuing two albums: Future's Dream (2007) and Wayward Son (2013), both released through Malady Music.
David Porthouse contributed drums, melodeon, and backing vocals on Handyside’s projects after Hurrah!. Subsequently, he trained as a luthier specializing in crafting custom lap steel guitars.
Albums
- Boxed (1985, released by Kitchenware)
- Tell God I'm Here (1987, Kitchenware in partnership with Arista) (peaked at No. 71 on the UK Albums Chart)
- Way Ahead (1987, issued through Esuriant) (reached No. 29 on the UK Indie chart)
- The Beautiful (1989, a collaboration between Kitchenware and Arista)
- Sound of Philadelphia (1993, distributed by Creation and Rev-Ola)
- The Return of the Cool (2010, released by Cherry Red)
Singles
- "The Sun Shines Here" (1982) under Kitchenware
- "Hip Hip" (1983) via Kitchenware (attained No. 21 on UK Indie chart)
- "Who'd Have Thought" (1984) through Kitchenware (achieved No. 7 on UK Indie chart)
- "Gloria" (1985) with Kitchenware (reached No. 12 on UK Indie chart)
- "Sweet Sanity" (1986) released by Kitchenware/Arista (charted at UK No. 83)
- "If Love Could Kill" (1987) from Kitchenware/Arista (positioned at UK No. 76)
- "How Many Rivers?" (1987) issued by Kitchenware/Arista (UK chart position No. 125)
- "Sweet Sanity" (1988) again via Kitchenware/Arista (UK ranking No. 197)
- "Big Sky" (1989) under Kitchenware/Arista
- "That Dream's Over Now" (1991) released through Kitchenware/Arista