Die Happy - Guess What (2020)

Alternative rock quartet Die Happy formed in Ulm, Germany, in 1993. Guitarist Thorsten Mewes, bassist Julian Rosenthal, and drummer Marcus Heinzmann auditioned a series of singers before finally settling on Czech-born Marta Jandová. The group played its first live gig in the spring of 1994, at mid-year recording the EP Better Than Nothing. A self-released full-length, Dirty Flowers, followed in early 1996. Drummer Holger Fiesel replaced Heinzmann prior to sessions for the 1997 EP Promotion. During an appearance at the 1998 Rockstiftung unsigned band contest, Die Happy captured the attention of A&R execs from Epic/Sony, but contract negotiations fell through and Fiesel soon announced his exit, clearing the way for drummer Jürgen Stiehle. Rosenthal was the next to resign, and after a series of auditions, the remaining trio selected bassist Ralph Rieker. In late 1999, this incarnation of Die Happy signed to BMG Ariola, and in 2001 issued their major-label debut, Supersonic Speed. Beautiful Morning followed a year later, and in 2003 Die Happy traveled to Los Angeles to begin work with hitmaking producers The Matrix on the band's third RCA effort, The Weight of the Circumstances. Virtual unknown Udo Rinklin helmed the 2005 follow-up, Bitter to Better, although multi-platinum schlockmeister Diane Warren penned the ballad "I Am." No Nuts No Glory reached the German Top 30 upon its 2006 release. ~ Jason Ankeny