The Happening Thang
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 in Sydney, Australia |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Happening Thang was an Australian country pop ensemble established in 1984, featuring Stuart Crysell on guitar, David Lennon on drums, Rose Pearse handling bass, Andrew Travers playing acoustic guitar, providing vocals and harmonica, and Catherine Wearne as lead vocalist. By the time their initial album The Happening Thang appeared in 1989, the lineup had evolved to include Pearse, Travers, Wearne, Ricky Cole on drums, Jeff Mercer contributing guitar, mandolin, and dobro, along with David Patterson on bass and vocals. Their follow-up record Saddlepop was issued in 1990 under the Trafalgar/WEA label. The band ceased activities in 1991.
History
Originating in Sydney during 1984, The Happening Thang's original members were housemates involved with other musical projects. Before joining the group on guitar, Travers had played drums for Adelaide’s Spitfires and later performed with the Milky Bar Kids. Early sessions incorporated additional musicians such as Rob Souter on drums and Bruce Thorburn on fiddle. Former collaborators included Ian Simpson and Jenny Shimmin (banjo), Murray Cook and Jim Niven (keyboards), Wayne de Lisle and Mark Dawson (drums), alongside Reg Mombassa (guitar). Following Stuart Crysell’s exit, Jeff Mercer assumed guitar responsibilities; David Patterson succeeded Pearse on bass; Adrien Warren was added as drummer; and Kathy Bluff took over fiddle duties from Thorburn for a 1989 tour in Canada. Additionally, Travers contributed drum parts to Neil Murray’s debut album released that same year.
Music historian Ian McFarlane characterized their style as a fusion of Hank Williams-inspired country roots with pop sensibilities, producing a spirited urban-western sound distinctive to Australia, drawing influence from artists like Gram Parsons, Jimmie Rodgers, and early Elvis Presley. Their debut single "I Don't Wanna Go To Work," released in February 1989, earned them the New Talent of the Year award at the Australasian Country Music Awards in January 1990. Despite receiving varied critical opinions, they followed up with the single "Drive Away" in July 1989 and launched their self-titled debut album in December through Trafalgar/WEA. The majority of the songs were penned by Travers. This album featured core members Mercer, Patterson, Travers, and Wearne with support from Pearse, Bluff, Cook, Niven, Dave Faulkner on piano, Peter O'Doherty providing backing vocals, Simpson on pedal steel guitar, Souter on drums, and Thorburn on fiddle. It garnered a nomination for Best Country Album at the 1990 ARIA Music Awards.
In 1990, they contributed to the compilation Breaking Ground - New Directions in Country Music, which itself was nominated for Best Country Album at the 1991 ARIA Awards. Their sophomore album Saddlepop, released that year, included a cover of Neil Young’s "The Losing End." The principal lineup for this record comprised Michael Kerin on fiddle, Mercer playing guitar, mandolin and dobro, Patterson on bass, Ross Burge handling drums, Travers providing vocals and guitars, and Wearne also on vocals; Kathy Bluff and Murray Cook participated as studio musicians. Co-produced by Rod Coe alongside the band members themselves, they supported Canberra's Rock for the Forests conservation initiative in October 1990. The group disbanded towards the end of 1991.
Following the breakup, Travers joined Dog Trumpet in 1995 with founders Peter O'Doherty and Reg Mombassa; Amanda Brown added violin and backing vocals to this lineup. Dog Trumpet released Suitcase in January 1996. In the mid-2000s era, Mercer and Patterson formed a country band called The Cartwheels based in Hepburn Springs alongside members of Patterson’s family. In 2014, original members Travers and Wearne established The Western Distributors who released a self-titled album in March 2018.
Albums
| Album Title | Release Information |
|---|---|
| The Happening Thang |
|
| Saddlepop |
|
Singles
| Release Year | Single Title |
|---|---|
| 1989 | "I Don't Wanna Go to Work" |
| "Drive Away" | |
| 1990 | "Losing End" |
ARIA Music Awards
Since its inception in 1987 by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), the ARIA Music Awards have honored outstanding achievements and creativity within Australia's music industry.
! |- | 1990 || The Happening Thang || Best Country Album || || [1]
Country Music Awards of Australia
Known as the Golden Guitar Awards, the Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA) have been held annually at the Tamworth Country Music Festival since 1973 to celebrate distinguished contributions to Australian country music.[2]
|- | 1990 | The Happening Thang | New Talent of the Year |
Mo Awards
The Mo Awards have recognized excellence in Australian variety entertainment every year since 1975.[3]
|- | 1991 | The Happening Thang | Country Showgroup | |- | 1990 | The Happening Thang | Country Showgroup | |- | 1989 | The Happening Thang | Country Showgroup |