Genres New wave Years active 1980–1983 Associated acts Force Majeure Record label Teldec | Instruments Guitars Labels Teldec Genre New wave | |
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Origin Bristol, United Kingdom (1980) Similar Art Objects, Glaxo Babies, The Blue Aeroplanes | ||
The Agents were a post-punk band formed in 1980 in Bristol, England. The band formed from the remnants of several bands that were playing the American Military bases circuit in Europe in the 1970s. The Band were based in Mannheim, Germany and the lineup consisted of vocalist Swig (real name Richard Snow), guitarist Dave Libby, bassist Larry Burr and drummer Nick Bahra. The band were known for an exciting live act and built up a big following in Europe. In 1981 they released "Everybody's Gonna Be Happy", a single printed in green vinyl with a gatefold sleeve. The album (of the same name), release the same year on Teldec, produced by Ingo Schantz.
The lineup was expanded in 1982 with keyboard player Steve Libby (brother of Dave) from Bristol band Stereo Models, moving the sound from post-punk to new wave. They returned to the studio in 1982 and recorded several tracks for the follow-up album. However, due to lack of promotion by Teldec the band decided to change record labels. Years of touring Europe had taken its toll on the band and they returned to the UK, but split up before finding another deal. The album Everybody's Gonna Be Happy was never released as a CD and Teldec has been taken over, so it seems unlikely that the album will ever be re-released. However, secondhand copies of the album and single are popular with collectors of new wave music. Richard Snow, Dave and Steve Libby went on to form the new wave electronic band Force Majeure.
Everybody's Gonna Be Happy
Track listing:
- "Stare Into Space" (2:04)
- "Do a Lot Better" (3:00)
- "Killing the Pig" (4:55)
- "Julie" (3:10)
- "Who's He Kidding" (2:52)
- "Everybody's Gonna Be Happy" (2:20)
- "They Say It's Rock and Roll" (2:55)
- "Beer Talk" (3:50)
- "We Want to Sign" (2:53)
- "People Like You" (2:53)
- "Now's the Time to Change" (2:32)
- "It's Gotta Be Done Son" (3:53)