(c’88-91) – Jason Applin (vocals), Dominic Coles (drums), Rick Testa (guitar) & Paul Harle (bass).
Previously known as The Dead Beats, mid ’88 saw this Camberley four-piece gigging at The Full Moon, Fulham, Covent Garden’s Rock Garden and supporting McCarthy. An initial 3-track demo carrying “Let’s Get Happy”, Greenwich Village” and “Popes on Dope” helped secure airplay on Janice Long’s Radio One show in the same time-frame.
In August ’88 the band released their second demo tape, titled “Pleasure”; available to Soundscene readers for the price of post and packing. The five tracks included “(I Was On The Toilet) When Jesus Was Telling Us About The Meaning Of Life”, “Baby Just Hold My Hand” and “Beverley”; and two previously released tracks: “Greenwich Village” and “Popes on Dope”.
Also in ’88 was a limited (UK and Germany) vinyl release of “Let’s Get Happy” – which features a sixties-esque vocal with a Mighty Lemon Drops guitar sound – on the independent Ride Records label. Ride also put “Let’s Get Happy” on the 4-track, 7-Inch, compilation LP “Hands Off Hands On” that also featured stable mates: 1967, The Red Pyjamas and Deja Vu.
June ’88 saw them at the Buzz Club, The West End Centre, Aldershot with The Jeremiahs, Bluetrain, Crimplene Explosion, The Aubisons and The Splendids. The band were earmarked to play Showcase ’88, but Sugar Mountain were unable to play the date that would have been their first appearance in Woking. They appeared at The Cricketers, Westfield on 17 September ’88 instead.
Tracks:
Let’s Get Happy:
Gallery:
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