Hurrah!
Encyclopedia
Hurrah! were a British
jangle pop
band formed in the early 1980s and active until 1991. Two band members traded off lead vocals on track-by-track basis, giving the band two distinctly different sounds.
; guitar/vocals), David Porthouse (b. 17 August 1961, Gateshead
;(bass), and Mark Sim (drums). Sim was soon replaced by Damien Mahoney.
When Mahoney left in 1986 to join the police force, after exhaustive auditions, the band eventually recruited Steve Price (b. 27 June 1965, Newport
; drums) as a permanent replacement drummer. Adrian Evans (b. 6 March 1963, County Durham, England) became the band's fourth drummer when Steve Price lef the band and emigrated to America.
, who issued the band's debut single, "The Sun Shines Here", in 1982. Second single "Hip Hip" was released the following year, and gave the band an indie chart
hit, reaching number 21.
The third single, "Who'd Have Thought," was another indie hit in 1984, reaching number 7 on the British charts. After one more single, "Gloria" - produced by Jimmy Miller, the band's early recordings were compiled on the Boxed album in 1985.
Hurrah! signed to Arista Records
via Kitchenware's deal with the major label, and the Tell God I'm Here album was re-released by the record company. On Arista's release, the future single "How Many Rivers" was re-recorded with new drummer Steve Price at London's Maison Rouge Studios, which was produced by Chris Kimsey
.
In 1986, Hurrah! released their first major-label album and the single, "Sweet Sanity," in the UK and the US. The video for the song, which featured two women holding hands, was banned from some American television stations for being too controversial.
Hurrah's major label debut album, Tell God I'm Here, reached number 71 in the UK Albums Chart
in 1987. Towards the end of 1987, a live album, Way Ahead, was released on the Esurient label.
In 1989, the band released their second major-label album, The Beautiful, produced by Simon Hanhart
. The tracks were primarily recorded over six weeks in 1988 at Ridge Farm
, a picturesque residential recording studio in Surrey
, England
. The only single from this album was "Big Sky."
Arista released Hurrah! from their record contract in 1989. Steve Price left the band in mid-1990 to move to America, and the rest of the band split up in 1991, after releasing their last single "That dream's over now". A retrospective album of demos and live tracks, The Sound of Philadelphia, was issued in 1993.
During the intervening years there was much talk of an un released 'lost album' of recordings made just before the 1991 split. This album was rumoured to feature previously unreleased material which had been developed in the bands latter day live sets. Suspicions of this album's existence proved to be well founded with the release of The return of the cool in 2010 on the Cherry Red
record label.
at Wembley Arena
, and played as the opening act on the first dates of The Joshua Tree
tour in June, 1987. Later that summer, Hurrah! played at a music festival in Sweden, supporting David Bowie
.
Hurrah! toured the United States for the first time during November 1987, appearing on the Coors
-sponsored "Four Play" tour along with bands Royal Court of China, Will & the Kill and Northern Pikes. The four bands rotated the headline slot, and played free shows at club venues in most major metro areas across the US.
In 1988, Hurrah! played live shows in Iraq
, Egypt
and Jordan
after accepting an invitation from the British Arts Council. One of the first "western" bands to play in the Middle East, the group was escorted by armed troops for the duration of their visit. Publicity materials from their Arts Council tour listed the album's name as Tell Them I'm Here to avoid offending the host countries.
Paul Handyside has since released two albums under the name of 'Bronze'. His first solo album, 'Future's Dream', was released by Malady Music in 2007.
As well as contributing drum
s, melodeon and backing vocals
on several of Paul Handyside's post-Hurrah! releases, David Porthouse trained as a luthier
, producing custom built instruments and specializing in lap steel guitar
s.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
jangle pop
Jangle pop
Jangle pop is a genre of alternative rock from the mid-1980s that "marked a return to the chiming or jangly guitars and pop melodies of the '60s" bands such as The Byrds, with their electric twelve-string guitars and power pop song structures. Mid-1980s jangle pop was a non-mainstream "pop-based...
band formed in the early 1980s and active until 1991. Two band members traded off lead vocals on track-by-track basis, giving the band two distinctly different sounds.
Lineup
Formed in the early 1980s and originally known as the Green-Eyed Children, Hurrah! initially consisted of Paul Handyside (b. 28 September 1960, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; guitar/vocals), David 'Taffy' Hughes (b. 16 March 1961, Southmoor, NorthumberlandNorthumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
; guitar/vocals), David Porthouse (b. 17 August 1961, Gateshead
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
;(bass), and Mark Sim (drums). Sim was soon replaced by Damien Mahoney.
When Mahoney left in 1986 to join the police force, after exhaustive auditions, the band eventually recruited Steve Price (b. 27 June 1965, Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
; drums) as a permanent replacement drummer. Adrian Evans (b. 6 March 1963, County Durham, England) became the band's fourth drummer when Steve Price lef the band and emigrated to America.
Releases
Hurrah! were one of the first acts signed to Kitchenware RecordsKitchenware Records
Kitchenware Records is an independent record label based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. It was founded in 1982 by Keith Armstrong and Phil Mitchell, and was originally part of The Soul Kitchen, an artist collective and nightclub...
, who issued the band's debut single, "The Sun Shines Here", in 1982. Second single "Hip Hip" was released the following year, and gave the band an indie chart
UK Indie Chart
The UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
hit, reaching number 21.
The third single, "Who'd Have Thought," was another indie hit in 1984, reaching number 7 on the British charts. After one more single, "Gloria" - produced by Jimmy Miller, the band's early recordings were compiled on the Boxed album in 1985.
Hurrah! signed to Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
via Kitchenware's deal with the major label, and the Tell God I'm Here album was re-released by the record company. On Arista's release, the future single "How Many Rivers" was re-recorded with new drummer Steve Price at London's Maison Rouge Studios, which was produced by Chris Kimsey
Chris Kimsey
Christopher Kenneth Kimsey is a record producer, mixer and musician most famous for having co-produced The Rolling Stones' Undercover and Steel Wheels albums...
.
In 1986, Hurrah! released their first major-label album and the single, "Sweet Sanity," in the UK and the US. The video for the song, which featured two women holding hands, was banned from some American television stations for being too controversial.
Hurrah's major label debut album, Tell God I'm Here, reached number 71 in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
in 1987. Towards the end of 1987, a live album, Way Ahead, was released on the Esurient label.
In 1989, the band released their second major-label album, The Beautiful, produced by Simon Hanhart
Simon Hanhart
Simon Hanhart is a British record producer and engineer, who has worked with, among others, Bryan Adams, Arena, Asia, Babylon A.D., David Bowie , Docker's Guild, Fate, Lesley Garrett, Elton John, Tom Jones, Killer Dwarfs, Kino, Vanessa Mae, Marillion, Psycho Motel, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,...
. The tracks were primarily recorded over six weeks in 1988 at Ridge Farm
Ridge Farm Studio
Ridge Farm Studio was one of the very first residential recording studios in the United Kingdom. The studio operated for over twenty five years as a residential recording studio...
, a picturesque residential recording studio in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The only single from this album was "Big Sky."
Arista released Hurrah! from their record contract in 1989. Steve Price left the band in mid-1990 to move to America, and the rest of the band split up in 1991, after releasing their last single "That dream's over now". A retrospective album of demos and live tracks, The Sound of Philadelphia, was issued in 1993.
During the intervening years there was much talk of an un released 'lost album' of recordings made just before the 1991 split. This album was rumoured to feature previously unreleased material which had been developed in the bands latter day live sets. Suspicions of this album's existence proved to be well founded with the release of The return of the cool in 2010 on the Cherry Red
Cherry Red
Cherry Red is a London-based independent record label formed in 1978.-History:Cherry Red grew from the rock promotion company founded in 1971 to promote rock concerts at the Malvern Winter Gardens...
record label.
Tours
The band were invited to support U2U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
at Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena is an indoor arena, at Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The building is opposite Wembley Stadium.-History:...
, and played as the opening act on the first dates of The Joshua Tree
The Joshua Tree
The Joshua Tree is the fifth studio album by rock band U2. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 9 March 1987 on Island Records. In contrast to the ambient experimentation of their 1984 release The Unforgettable Fire, U2 aimed for a harder-hitting sound on The Joshua...
tour in June, 1987. Later that summer, Hurrah! played at a music festival in Sweden, supporting David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
.
Hurrah! toured the United States for the first time during November 1987, appearing on the Coors
Coors Brewing Company
The Coors Brewing Company is a regional division of the world's fifth-largest brewing company, the Canadian Molson Coors Brewing Company and is the third-largest brewer in the United States...
-sponsored "Four Play" tour along with bands Royal Court of China, Will & the Kill and Northern Pikes. The four bands rotated the headline slot, and played free shows at club venues in most major metro areas across the US.
In 1988, Hurrah! played live shows in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
after accepting an invitation from the British Arts Council. One of the first "western" bands to play in the Middle East, the group was escorted by armed troops for the duration of their visit. Publicity materials from their Arts Council tour listed the album's name as Tell Them I'm Here to avoid offending the host countries.
Post break-up
After Hurrah!, David 'Taffy' Hughes formed the 'punkier sounding' three-piece 'Star Witness', later called 'Candy Coloured Clowns', and released a cassette of rough demos called 'Welcome to Razor Town' ('96) . Hughes also plays guitar with 'The Girl With The Replaceable Head', a duo formed with female singer Sylvia.Paul Handyside has since released two albums under the name of 'Bronze'. His first solo album, 'Future's Dream', was released by Malady Music in 2007.
As well as contributing drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s, melodeon and backing vocals
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
on several of Paul Handyside's post-Hurrah! releases, David Porthouse trained as a luthier
Luthier
A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...
, producing custom built instruments and specializing in lap steel guitar
Lap steel guitar
The lap steel guitar is a type of steel guitar, an instrument derived from and similar to the guitar. The player changes pitch by pressing a metal or glass bar against the strings instead of by pressing strings against the fingerboard....
s.
Albums
- Boxed (1985, KitchenwareKitchenware RecordsKitchenware Records is an independent record label based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. It was founded in 1982 by Keith Armstrong and Phil Mitchell, and was originally part of The Soul Kitchen, an artist collective and nightclub...
) - Tell God I'm Here (1987, Kitchenware/AristaArista RecordsArista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
) (UK Albums ChartUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#71) - Way Ahead (1987, Esuriant) (UK Indie #29)
- The Beautiful (1989, Kitchenware/Arista)
- Sound of Philadelphia (1993, Creation Rev-Ola)
- The Return of the cool ( 2010 Cherry Red )
Singles
- "The Sun Shines Here" (1982) Kitchenware
- "Hip Hip" (1983) Kitchenware (UK Indie #21)
- "Who'd Have Thought" (1984) Kitchenware (UK Indie #7)
- "Gloria" (1985) Kitchenware (UK Indie #12)
- "Sweet Sanity" (1986) Kitchenware/Arista
- "If Love Could Kill" (1987) Kitchenware/Arista
- "How Many Rivers?" (1987) Kitchenware/Arista
- "Sweet Sanity" (1988) Kitchenware/Arista
- "Big Sky" (1989) Kitchenware/Arista
- "That Dream's Over Now" (1991) Kitchenware/Arista