Comprised of chief songwriter
Kyle Thomas (aka King Tuff), Ruth Garbus, and
Chris Weisman, indie rock group
Happy Birthday formed and signed to Sub Pop in a whirlwind year after only five shows, four of which were in their hometown of Brattleboro, VT. A reason for their snappy success was due to their respective ties to the groups
Witch (with
J. Mascis of
Dinosaur Jr.) and Feathers, another draw was the popularity of Ruth’s sister, Merrill Garbus (aka
tUnE-yArDs, formerly of Sister Suvi), but the main selling point for the band was the immediacy of their music. Filled with buzzy pop songs,
Happy Birthday's self-titled debut album was scheduled to be released by Sub Pop on March 16, 2010. ~ Jason Lymangrover