DoubleHappys’ have revamped Nerves on vinyl LP for the first time — 30 years after its initial release, and many more after the original tracks were originally conceived. Using tapes sourced from the Alexander Turnbull Library, the album was remastered by local stalwart Tex Houston — a name you’ll find among the credits on many of the notable records associated with Dunedin and Flying Nun.
Nerves (2022 reissue) is out on neon coral or black vinyl on the 30th September via Flying Nun Records. John Collie has also designed some T-Shirts especially for the occasion, and there's a special discounted combo price for those keen to pick up both items. Get them HERE.
The Double Happys first formed sometime in 1983 when former Bored Games vocalist, Shayne Carter, joined forces with The Stones' Wayne Elsey.
They had a drum machine called Herbie Fuckface, who lived up to his name by subverting most of the duo's efforts onstage and quickly called for human replacement in the form of another old Kaikorai High schoolmate, John Collie.
The trio set about kicking up a storm, touring up north on the famous Looney Tour of 1984 and recording the Double B-side seven inch while they were in Auckland.
Early in 1985, the band recorded an EP, Cut it Out and in June embarked on a short tour. Towards the end of the tour the band were travelling south from Auckland by train, and Elsey, in high spirits, climbed out of a carriage and was instantly and tragically killed as the train passed under a bridge.
The two remaining members of the band decided not to continue with the name, but later went on to form the Straitjacket Fits.