Album Notes

As bands are always asked to describe their sound and genre, the best way to describe Happy Hour is as a combination. Hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Happy Hour can safely be described as an indie/alt-rock/folk mixture with a 60’s influence. However, their collective sound is not afraid to tackle any genre. Happy Hour moves smoothly through many arrangements incorporating electric and acoustic guitars, xylophone, organ, piano, drums and several percussive instruments to create melodic tunes for the ear.

Brent Shirey lays out intriguing, original songwriting, while Rider and Schultz also bring in their own style to create the dynamic sound of the band. Shirey’s twist and turn guitar parts and delicate-to-belting vocals fuse seamlessly with Rider’s simplistic, fitting drums and Schultz’s melodic bass lines. As Rider adds backing vocals and Schultz plays his wildcard role (throwing in organ, piano, xylophone and additional percussion) the songs of Happy Hour reach no limits.

Happy Hour currently does their own booking and promotion, and has set up five independent tours spanning the entire eastern United States and Canada (includes IN, TN, MS, MO, TX, IL, NY, RI, CT, MA, PA, KS, NJ, Toronto). Highlights include the famed CBGB’s, Knitting Factory and Boston’s Middle East Club. The band gigs relentlessly around West Michigan and is quickly expanding to other Midwest states and Eastern Seaboard.

Happy Hour has come together over the years to create music that is pleasing to the well-trained ear, as well as the everyday listener. Clever songwriting fused with melody and emotion.