The Official Live Debut of Fake Happy
The Official Live Debut of Fake Happy
Wichita Falls' Paramore tribute act opens for Man the Machine with a new drummer
Wichita Falls Paramore-tribute act Fake Happy announced their entry into the Texoma rock scene last night at the Iron Horse Pub with an energetic opening slot for Man the Machine.
For several months (since they hired us to shoot their promo photos) we’ve known about the live debut of Fake Happy, a tribute to multi-platinum act Paramore, and featuring the husband and wife team of Tawni and Brad Hargis, plus a talented cast of supporting characters. Despite playing an unofficial “warmup gig” earlier this year, Fake Happy told us they consider this performance their official debut, and Tawni and the gents did not disappoint.
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Excuse the expression but Tawni is a rock chick of the first order. As Paramore singer Hayley Williams, Hargis gave a physical, energetic performance while singing in the altitudes, and bassist Philip Nicholson, guitarist Gellert Domany, and guest guitarist Matt Smith offered background vocals that assisted Hargis in delivering a set of mainstream rock that had us forgetting it was their first official gig — we thought it was an impressively polished performance for a live debut.
Wichita Falls’ standout skinsman Mike Hardison of Blank Labels played drums for this set, in what we were told was simply a fill-in gig, and he was hittin’ ‘em hard and keeping perfect time, like always. We were told Mike had about a month to learn the tunes.
(Editor’s note: As we were about to publish this story, Tawni gave us permission to share with you, Mike Hardison is officially the new drummer in Fake Happy.)
Fake Happy stormed through all the hits you’d expect from a Paramore tribute act, including Misery Business, and our personal favorite, Crush, Crush, Crush. With Hardison on the drums, the rock edge is right up front and it is excellent.
Late in the set, Tawni came down from the stage and performed in the crowd amongst a circle of new fans. In the tradition of Larissa Brown, Hannah Smith, and Wichita Falls first ladies of rock, Tawni Hargis stepped into the spotlight and let it fly. We can’t wait to see how this band and this stage show evolves as Fake Happy grows.
We’d recommend you make a point to follow them and seek out their next gig.
Did you see Fake Happy’s debut? Tell us about it in the comments.
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