News
The Happytones may or may not be invited to play at the Inaugural Ball. Probably not.

Mixed Messages
Nov. 3 - Well, that didn't go very well.
October 13 - Kerry keeps saying that a second Bush term would be 'more of the same.' But it wouldn't. Not having to worry about re-election, the Cheney/Bush team would be free to run rampant. Scary thought.
October 8 - Bush went from petulant and confused in the first debate, to manic in the second. Too much caffeine?
October 7 - The Anti-Bush film festival at the Majestic Theater in Detroit closes to "I Hate Republicans" by The Happytones.
October 6 - Cheney told some whoppers in the VP debate last night. Our favorite: "I have not suggested there's a connection between Iraq and 9/11."
October 5 - What explains G.W.'s awful performance in the first debate? It was beyond poor; it was strange. On another subject, The Happytones recommend "Whitewash As Public Service: How "The 9/11 Commission Report" Defrauds the Nation" by Benjamin DeMott, in Harper's Magazine, October 2004.
September 30 - John Kerry wins the debate. Yay.
September 17, 2004 - Janeane Garofalo recommends The Happytones. Check it out on The Majority Report web log. Janeane hosts The Majority Report with Sam Seder on Air America Radio. Thanks, Janeane!

Feedback
"I can't stop listening to this CD." V.L., Cape Cod, Massachusetts
"Love the disc. Lively, catchy, and clever." A.L., Vermont
"My kids have this CD memorized. They think it's a riot." J.F., Cape Cod, Massachusetts
A German friend sends best wishes for success and a Bush-free future.
R.M. of Ohio writes, "Your CD is one of the funniest things I've listened to in a while, and a first-class addition to the nation's political dialogue."
Uncle Ernie's Issues & Alibis on "I Hate Republicans": "I bet you'll be singing along by the chorus! Sing it loud, sing it proud America. Don't you wish the Dems would use it as a commercial?"
Diane in NH on the Internet: "I am no longer afraid to say "I hate Republicans!" I even catch myself absentmindedly singing/humming the chorus of a song by that title . . . the catchy tune that has become the theme song of so many."

About Us
The Happytones blight the musical landscape of Austin, Texas.

The Happytones began as a good time, frat-house party band. Audience feedback caused the band to reconsider this path. While saving up to buy replacement instruments and gear, The Happytones entered into a period of quiet introspection, emerging as a powerful creative force, resolute devotees of the implacable Muse, fevered visionaries of a murky future. Determined to stick together through thick and thin, The Happytones soldiered bravely into the gaping maw of their collective fate. Then a bunch of stuff happened.

The Happytones are an ongoing collaboration; new members are added as old members disappear, are expelled, storm off in a snit, go back to school, or become unavailable due to incarceration, hospitalization, or acts of God. Studio musicians, electronic devices, relatives, and passersby are used as needed to fill in for missing and uncooperative band members.

The Happytones strive to attain some measure of redemption and release through music that appeals simultaneously to the better angels of human nature and to the universal urges to make noise and break things. The lyrical content of the songs sometimes is depressing while the overall mood of the songs is upbeat. This annoying incongruity appears, regrettably, to be a permanent feature of The Happytones’ sound. The acclaim of music critics everywhere says it all: [insert quote here]

The Past
The Happytones' 2000 version of “I Hate Republicans” was ignored (some say conspired against) by the mainstream media. Despite this, “I Hate Republicans” was an international Internet hit, eliciting thousands of downloads and exciting fans the world over. A CNN political commentator opined, “If Al Gore had used your song as his theme he would have won in a landslide." At one time the song was featured on a variety of web sites including that of the Danish Kommunist Party. The song was put to many uses, to include at least one case of spousal torment, which the song may be especially suited for. An unhappy Republican complained of having 'that damn song stuck in my head for five hours.' Great things were portended for The Happytones; however, all was lost in the depressive abyss that followed the 2000 election. The Happytones CD project was deferred temporarily -- again and again -- until it disintegrated altogether. (If you are one of the many creditors left in the wake and are still hoping for some settlement, dream on.)

The Present Unfazed by reality, The Happytones remain committed to their grandiose plan to change the course of world events. The current CD of political tunes represents the best of that effort. The flagship song is “I Hate Republicans 2004,” a new rendition of the classic. The new version is shorter, with a faster tempo, and a couple of updates to the lyrics. The Future Plans to make available The Happytones non-political music continue to languish. The studio where the last attempt was made went under. The tapes are missing along with the proprietor and the group’s deposit. Now it’s just spilled milk under the bridge. No use crying. Absent pressure to save the world, The Happytones seem incapable of getting much of anything done. Whether this is good or bad is debatable.

Sharing the Wealth
If you are a greedy Republican, you should not support The Happytones because if the current project makes it out of the red then the band plans to devote some portion of the profit to sticking up for the little guy, protecting the environment, developing innovative skin care products, and doing other good things that are inconsistent with your new world order.

Sharing the Cost
The Happytones are not supported by wasteful government programs, corporate fat-cats, back-alley political operatives, or shady 527s. Community support is non-existent. Familial indulgence has waned. Thus backing is needed to finance further recording, daily hygiene, body adornment, psychotropic medications, etc. Please consider contributing to The Happytones. It's easy! It's fun! Go to the Store page and have at it. (Or just send a check to the address below.)

Copyright
This site and all The Happytones songs are protected by copyright and applicable laws, all rights reserved.

Contact
The Happytones
PO Box 28448
Austin, TX 78755-8448

E-mail: mail@thehappytones.com

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