HAPPY FEW, THE

Lead Vocals, Guitar: Dominic Riley

Guitar: Nick Green

Guitar: Steve Bevan

Vocals, Bass: Dave Cuff

Drums: Phil Emby

The Happy Few were originally Riley (vocals/guitar), Cuff (vocals/bass), Green (guitar), Bevan (guitar) and Emby (drums). The band formed in late 1980 and contributed two tracks to the Norwich – A Fine City  compilation album.

The Happy Few turned down a contract with Back’s Records in early 1981 in favour of a deal offered by Mike Always of Cherry Red (publishers of Norwich a Fine City), but the deal was never realised because Theo felt they were too much like the Monochrome Set. They subsequently secured a distribution deal with Rough Trade for their own label, Smug Records, but the release of their first single was held up by problems with the manufacturers of the record. An EP, "Heaven is So Different", "Shut" and "Hunter" (Smug 1) was finally released in early 1982 – shortly after guitarist Bevan left the band. In July 1982 they recorded a John Peel session as a four piece.

Very early in their history the group famously performed alongside Five or Six, Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn at a Cherry Red evening which received a rave review in Record Mirror. Other notable gigs were with Aztec Camera (at the Jaquard Club), The Blue Orchids (in Cambridge) and supporting A Flock Of Seagulls (in their last gig at the LCR in UEA, 1983). They played their first gig supporting The Higsons in Feb 1981. They also played supporting Screen 3 and were once supported by The Farmers Boys.

Drummer Emby and Bass/Vocals Cuff also played for another Norwich band The Crabs, who also recorded a John Peel session and also famously played with The Higsons and The Farmers Boys at a John Peel Norwich music scene event at the gala Ballroom in the summer of 1982. The band fizzled out in the spring of 1983 and Bass/Vocals Cuff went on to record a single for Backs Records with band Mad About Sunday ("The Drunk" NCH 8). Emby went on to play for Marilyn [source DC 2018]

Releases
Cover	Title	Studio	Label	YoR
	HUNTER		PRIVATE PRESSING	1982

Compilations
Cover	Title	Label	YoR
	NORWICH A FINE CITY	ROMANS IN BRITAIN RECORDS	1981
Position	Track name		Studio
A1	PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE
B4	ULTIMATE SANCTION