Blog: HappyParts

August 2008- Dazed and Confused UK

It gets boring name checking bands that were inspired by Velvet Underground. The amazing fact is that when Velvet Underground released their albums, they never sold well. There were no blogs to spread the Mp3's. No MTV. No college radio charts. Rolling Stone was based in San Francisco. The New York underground was underground. The big Warhol Factory come-down - Hanging out with trannys, spiking china white, and speed ran it's course, and besides, people were being shot. Time to go Pop. VU's "Loaded" was released in 1970 and is essentially a pop record- John Cale had left the band, [...]

• The Velvet Underground - Who Loves the Sun

Summer time is big riff time at HappyParts - yeah, yeah, there is the TV Eye by The Stooges, and 20th Century Boy by T.Rex , and even Seek and Destroy by Metallica- which leads me to Danzig's solo 'Band' debut, (featuring John Christ on guitar and Chuck Biscuits ex- Black Flag ) after leaving Samhain for Hollywood- Russ reminded me of this 1988 Rick Rubin produced gem. Low end, heavy duty, strip rock action groove, baby. Play at maximum volume for riff-o-rama blues dose. Take two, if you don't feel it [...]

• Danzig - Twist Of Cain

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One of HappyParts all time favorite bands- so it's nice day- This is the best, bad bar band in the world- (next to Rolling Stones) their influence across all rock in roll, abundant. Nevermind Rod's diversions, this is when he had true soul. Dig it. WBR #7681 (1973) Cindy Incidentally

• Faces - Cindy Incidentally

EP & Album coming soon on HappyParts Recordings US/UK/EU The Sand Band on MySpace

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HappyParts has always enjoyed horn and string arrangements in rock and roll. When tastefully done- it can make a just ok tune, Great. Big time rock bands like The Move, Rolling Stones, Chicago, Verve and even Blur for that matter have had some horn arrangements on some of their best tracks. Saxophone adds a classic flavor that often gets missed in 'new" recordings these days- Howlin Rain has some horns in their latest record- I just dig that sound when mixed with some serious rhythm- it's primitive. You can feel it. It swings. Which leads me to Alice Cooper's "Killer" [...]

• Alice Cooper - Under My Wheels

HappyParts Recordings unit has agreed to lead a group that will buy The Weather Channel in a deal believed to be worth around $3.5 billion. HappyParts is joining with financial partners Blackstone Group and Bain Capital on the purchase. The Weather Channel's owner, Landmark Communications, put it up for sale at the beginning of the year and started an auction that drew bids from top media companies. HappyParts and Time Warner emerged as the top contenders in May. HappyParts wins. "We'll [...]