After making its debut on PopMatters yesterday, "Cut The Rope", the new music video from Novato, CA's The Happys is now streaming here!
The video, shot by Will Rushton Films, portrays the darkness of living with anxiety.
Frontman Nick Petty explains, "The song examines elements in people's lives that hold them back emotionally. Cut The Rope to us is like ripping a band aid off.... it could be regarding a drug problem, bad work situation, toxic relationship or anything that you need to just get over and cut out of your life. If something is continuously holding you back/down, then maybe this song is about that."
Petty, who has battled his own demons with addiction and mental health issues, explains that his band's latest EP, 'Bipolar' tells the story of overcoming these obstacles.
"I get what it's like to not be getting the necessary help while suffering from depression and anxiety" Nick adds. "I am very lucky to have this musical outlet to help with my own issues and I want to spread the love and hope to anyone who will listen. I strive to entertain people and let people know it's OK to be weird, it's OK to be different."
'Cut The Rope' has been gaining momentum on San Francisco's modern rock station ALT105 radio.
Stream The Happys' 'Bipolar' here: https://open.spotify.com/album/0i71jeDuthqMqOb1jwACQ0
About The Happys:
Upon release from a 14 month stint in the Marin County Jail, Nick Petty, lead singer and songwriter for Bay Area rock band, The Happys was instructed NOT to enter a bar or be around alcohol or drugs as part of his probation. Of course, Nick went ahead and booked a gig for his band at a local bar. As the band came on stage, the first person he noticed in the audience was his probation officer staring him down. The band tore through the set and after the show, the officer approached Nick with sweat rolling down her forehead from dancing and made an offer - she would let this go if he keeps playing his music. "you guys are really good!" She said. "You've got to keep it going!"
"It was a wake-up call," Nick explains. "I realized that jail was not where I saw myself going in my life. I wanted something to stop me from what I was doing, and jail did that. And when I got off drugs, I was able to nurture my creative side."
After the bar "incident," Nick decided it was time to step things up with his band. He recruited local musician friend, Brett Brazil on bass, Alex Sanchez on guitar and Ryan Donahue on drums. They went to work building their fanbase by playing as many live shows as they could, never turning down a gig. They traveled to the Northwest and Southern California on shoestring tours, toured in support of the Mad Caddies, opened for Agent Orange, Del The Funky Homosapien, and played the main stage at San Francisco's Haight Street Fair.
Musically, the band draws their influences from upbeat '90s alternative, while also delving into heavier territory akin to Nirvana and Tool.
What others have said about The Happys:
"Recovery, rebuilding, reclaiming and the fight for personal independence at the core of the energetic new single Cut the Rope."- PopMatters
"Blending garage rock, punk and surf sounds, The Happys feature a stage presence and versatility that is unmatched by many up-and-coming bands today." - Del Mar Times.
"Trippin', (The Happys) debut album showcased Petty's talent for writing songs with catchy melodies and earworm hooks." - Marin Independent Journal
Upcoming shows:
MAR 30 Broadway Nightclub & Bar- Fairfax, CA
APR 27 Butter & Egg Days Festival at Roaring Donkey- Petaluma, CA
MAY 31 RockSoberFest: Mendocino County Fairgrounds May 31 - Jun 2
Videos