Beat Happening

Beat Happening

Page by: The Sara Monster


Beat Happening was formed in 82' in Olympia WA. First it was Calvin, Heather and anyone else they could get going out and playing all ages shows. Bret joined in 83' and the band released a 5 song debut. On a trip to Japan the band recorded their first EP, "Three Tea Breakfast". Their first full length album, "Beat Happening", was released in 85' and was produced by Greg Sage of The Wipers.

They took a break for awhile, and then recorded "Jamboree" in 88'. The album was produced by Mark Langen and Gary Lee Conner of Screaming Trees. In the summer of '89 Calvin and a few other guys organized the Sound Out Northwest tour, the idea was to play shows in smaller towns. Beat Happening played two shows w/ Mudhoney. Also doing shows that summer was Some Velvet Sidewalk. After that album a joint release between Beat Happening and Screaming Trees. Soon after Beat Happening's next album, "Black Candy" was released.

In 91' the band released "Dreamy". In summer Calvin and friend Candance put on The International Pop Underground Convention in Olympia with over 50 bands like L7, The Melvins, Fugazi, Thee Headcoats, Bikinii Kill, The Fastbacks and Seaweed. Part of the festival was released on a double album on K records. It was followed by "You Turn me On" in 92'. Since then the band hasn't released anything. The band is still together and practicing on a monthly basis. Heather is also in a band called D+. Calvin has continued running his indie label, K. He also has a number of other projects including, Dub Narcotic System and the Halo Benders. Calvin is also known for helping start the infamous Sub-Pop Fanzine back in 77' with Bruce Pavitt.

Sometime in 2000 K Records plans to re-release all the Beat Happening albums that came out on Sub-Pop records. The first single is "Angel Gone" and will be out July 11th. The K records site is giving news of a Beat Happening 7 CD box set to include all their releases plus a new album compiling singles and stuff titled Music to Climb the Apple Tree By. The 7th disc is live and video material. The box set will be called Crashing Through and will be released Oct. 17th. No talk of any shows to support it but its still a ways away. Also in the works is a Calvin Johnson solo album, yey! Its titled "What was me" and will be released Sept. 26th.

Also in the Beat Happening world is a video documentary of K records with new interviews and photos of the Beat Happening crew along with tons of other info. You can get it through K records page. Currently Michel Azerrad (who wrote Come As You Are a vastly popular book in the Nirvana community) is writing a book about the evolution of American Underground (1981-1991) which includes a chapter on Beat Happening. As in the book will be, Black Flag, Minutemen, Mission of Burma, Minor Threat, Husker Du, Replacements, Sonic Youth, Butthole Surfers, Big Black, Dinosaur Jr, Mudhoney and Fugazi. The book should be released in Spring of 2001.

Also in the news is a Calvin Johnson solo Album coming soon... More info later.


I eventually want to have lyrics and tabs up here so if you have any mail me. So far I have the tab to Knick Knack (and some others off Black Candy).

this is a very nifty interview with Calvin.

And another nifty interview with Calvin.

You can listen to the band at K's Beat Happening Page.
For more Beat Happening tidbits go to Beat Happenings first Fan Page.



mail me with any corrections or additions.

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