Beat Happening

The refurbished Beat Happening includes the original Greg Sage (The Wipers)- produced sessions that comprised most of the original album as well as the first single ("Our Secret"/"What’s Important"). Five of the songs were recorded while Beat Happening was living in Japan, and then released on the Three Tea Breakfast cassette. There are also several songs that were originally included on various cassette compilations long out of print. Originally a 1985 K release, Beat Happening was released in England by Rough Trade in 1986 and reissued in 2002 as a part of the Crashing Through box set, which includes all five of the Beat Happening albums (Beat Happening, Jamboree, Black Candy, Dreamy, You Turn Me On) plus the compilation Music To Climb The Apple Tree By.


A truly seminal record, 1985's Beat is largely responsible for the wave of primitive, low-fi creations that appeared over the next decade. Calvin Johnson, who went on to build a small indie label empire with K Records in Olympia, Washington, heads up this postmodern three-piece, which features flat vocals, loads of snare drum, wacky lyrics, and an abundance of charm." Foggy Eyes," sung by Calvin and bandmate Heather, is one of the sweetest songs you'll ever hear. "I Spy" sounds like the Cramps trying to be minimalist and awkward, and "I Love You" is one of the most hip-thrusting, heavy-breathing, love songs ever recorded. --Lorry Fleming