Mr. Happy
1996-1997
Photos by (Unknown)

Mr. Happy began in response to a phone call from a local music agent to Dave (Caruso), requesting that he put together a trio for a Waterford nightclub.  "I immediately called my brother Rob to sing and play drums, of course," says Dave. "Rob and I both thought Jake (Tobias) would be a natural for guitar and vocals, since he was a 3-time lead guitarist for our old band, Caruso."

After just a few months, though, Rob and his wife had another baby, and he wanted to be home to help raise their two daughters.  Jake called in drummer Chris Wietzke, who rounded out the band's sound very nicely, and incidentally created the group's cool logo.  Awesome vocalist Diane Smith frequently sang with the group.

 

Dave left the group in 1997, and the boys brought in guitarist/bassist Jeff Nolen.  The group also had frequent appearances with A Crude Interest vocalist Tracey Flynn.
New Place Lounge
Dearborn, MI
Bullfrog Bar & Grill
Redford, MI
D.B. Coopers
Madison Heights, MI
 

1999 reunion show at Woody's Diner in Royal Oak, MI
Jake Tobias, Dave Caruso, Tracey Flynn, Jeff Nolen, Chris Wietzke

The 6th Annual Mr. Happy Reunion in 2001 at Woody's Diner in Royal Oak, MI.  Over the years, the Mr. Happy fraternity gained a few "sorority" members, including Diane Smith, Tracey Flynn, and Liz Gerrity, rounding out "The Mr. Happy Experience."  All of the former players still sit in with the band from time to time, but only once a year can you see them all in one night, when everyone gets together for good times, great tunes, and a few laughs. 


2001 reunion show at Woody's Diner in Royal Oak, MI
Jake Tobias, Jeff Nolen, Tracey Flynn, Diane Smith, Chris Wietzke and Dave Caruso

Partial Song List
2 Princes Spin Doctors
Backwater Meat Puppets
Banditos The Refreshments
Basketcase Green Day
Blister in the Sun Violent Femmes
Buddy Holly Weezer
Closing Time Semisonic
Creep Radiohead
Daydream Believer The Monkees
Gel Collective Soul
Good Better Than Ezra
I Can't Take It Cheap Trick
I Got You Split Enz
I Will Survive Cake
I'll Be You The Replacements
If You Could Only See Tonic
In Between Days The Cure
Long Way Down Goo Goo Dolls
Lump Presidents of...America
More Than Words Extreme
No Matter What Badfinger
One I Love, The REM
Peace, Love and Understanding Nick Lowe / Elvis Costello
Possum Kingdom Toadies
Rocket Man / Bennie & The Jets Elton John
Santa Monica Everclear
Selling the Drama Live
Semi-Charmed Life Third Eye Blind
Shimmer Fuel
Stray Cat Strut Stray Cats
Sunday Papers Joe Jackson
Tempted Squeeze
Under Pressure Queen / David Bowie
Wonderwall Oasis