The Pursuit of Happiness (band)
Canadian rock band known for "I'm an Adult Now".
The Pursuit of Happiness (often shortened to TPOH) is a Canadian rock and power pop group, most widely recognized for the track "I'm an Adult Now." The band was formed in 1985 when frontman Moe Berg, originally from Edmonton, Alberta, moved to Ontario with drummer Dave Gilby. There, they connected with bassist Johnny Sinclair and brought in sisters Tamara and Natasha Amabile as backing vocalists. Their debut single, "I'm an Adult Now," became a major hit across Canada in 1986, boosted by a low-budget music video directed by Berg's friend Nelu Ghiran that found a home on MuchMusic. The band signed with manager Jeff Rogers (Swell) in 1986 but did not immediately land a record deal, instead releasing another independent single, "Killed by Love," in 1988. The Amabile sisters left to focus on their own band and were replaced in early 1988 by Kris Abbott (guitar and backing vocals) and Leslie Stanwyck (backing vocals).
In 1988, the band signed with Chrysalis Records. Their debut album, *Love Junk*, was produced by Todd Rundgren and released in 1988. "I'm an Adult Now" was re-recorded and re-released as a single, charting a second time; in January 1989, it peaked at No. 6 on Billboard's alternative songs chart. Follow-up singles included "She's So Young," which became their biggest Canadian hit and also received radio play in the UK, and "Hard To Laugh." *Love Junk* sold over 100,000 copies in Canada and earned a gold certification. The band's second album with Rundgren, 1990's *One Sided Story*, produced the hit singles "New Language" and "Two Girls in One." While it didn't match *Love Junk*'s sales, it remained a significant success. Stanwyck and Sinclair left the band in early 1990 to form the power pop group Universal Honey. For the Spring 1990 tour supporting *One Sided Story*, Brad Barker (bass) and Susan Murumets (backing vocals) joined the lineup. Murumets left in 1992 to pursue the business side of music and was replaced by Rachel Oldfield.
After difficulties with Chrysalis, the band followed Chrysalis president Mike Bone to Mercury Records in 1992 and released *The Downward Road* in 1993. The single "Cigarette Dangles" achieved some success, with its music video appearing on *Beavis and Butt-Head*, but further label troubles followed. The band recorded their next two albums for the now-defunct Canadian label Iron Music. Oldfield left in 1995 and w
- origin
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lore & Background
The Pursuit of Happiness were launched in 1985 when frontman Moe Berg and drummer Dave Gilby moved to Ontario. They soon met bassist Johnny Sinclair and formed the band, adding sisters Tamara and Natasha Amabile as backing vocalists. Their debut single, "I'm an Adult Now", became a smash hit across Canada in 1986, sparked by a low-budget video that made it onto MuchMusic. The band signed with manager Jeff Rogers in 1986 and released another independent single, "Killed by Love", in 1988 before signing to Chrysalis Records.
Their debut album, Love Junk, produced by Todd Rundgren, was released in 1988. "I'm an Adult Now" was re-recorded and re-released, peaking at No. 6 on Billboard's alternative songs chart in January 1989. The album sold over 100,000 copies in Canada and was certified gold. The follow-up album, One Sided Story (1990), featured the hit singles "New Language" and "Two Girls in One." The band experienced lineup changes, with several members leaving and being rep
Reader's Guide
The Pursuit of Happiness hold a notable place in Canadian rock history, primarily for their breakthrough single "I'm an Adult Now," which became an anthem for a generation and a staple on MuchMusic. Their debut album Love Junk, produced by Todd Rundgren, achieved platinum status in Canada and introduced the band to international audiences, particularly in the United States where the single charted on Billboard's alternative songs chart. The band's power pop sound and witty lyrics distinguished them within the Canadian music scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite lineup changes and label troubles, they maintained a loyal following and continued to influence later Canadian indie rock acts. Their induction into the Canadian Indies Hall of Fame in 2006 and the 2018 deluxe reissue of Love Junk underscore their enduring legacy. The band's ability to reunite for special performances decades after their peak demonstrates their lasting appeal and the affection fans hold for their music.
Did You Know?
- The band's debut single "I'm an Adult Now" was sparked by a low-budget video made by Berg's director friend Nelu Ghiran.
- The band was inducted into the Canadian Indies Hall of Fame in March 2006.
- The band's song "Cigarette Dangles" appeared on the TV show Beavis and Butt-head.
- The band's debut album Love Junk was produced by Todd Rundgren and certified platinum in Canada.
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