 Better
than the world will ever know, the Double Happys never
captured their best moments for record, live they
were brilliant. "I Never Want To See You Again", "Big
Fat Elvis", and this
track, "Beer
Cans On The Ground" all indicating
they were capable of great things. The band originally
consisted of Shane Carter - Guitar / Vocal (ex-Bored Games,
pre-Straightjacket Fits), Wayne Elsey - Guitar / Vocals,
and Herbie Fuckface - the drum machine, who was later replaced
by John Collie. I had many a brilliant night soaking up
their cool melodies and cheeky wit.
The band was sadly
ended when they were returning home from playing shows
in the North Island.
The band were playing silly buggers, drunk on a train,
climbing out of it while it sped along. The train entered
a tunnel and Elsey was hit throwing him from the train
and killing him. He was reported decapitated in the accident,
although this is unconfirmed. A sad end to a lovely and
talented man.
Shane Carter went on to record "Randolf's
Going Home" with
Peter Jefferies, as a tribute
to his band mate and friend.
Later Carter and Collie continued
making music in the highly
successful Straitjacket Fits
achieving national stardom, and
an international deal which burnt
the band out and
left a huge financial debt and
a bad taste in Carter's mouth.
Carter has spent the last few
years regaining his
sanity and working on his project
band Dimmer.
Double Happys released one 7" single and an EP.
Neither capturing the bands live appeal. A posthumous album
contained some of the better live moments.
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