Description
4.0 out of 5 stars A must for Happy the Man fans, Amazon.com
Oblivion Sun is the brainchild of Frank Wyatt and Stanley Whitaker, founding members of 70โs Arista recording artists Happy The Man. HTM reformed in 1999 to headline Nearfest 2000, and they released their first CD in almost 25 years, โThe Muse Awakensโ in 2004.
Frank and Stan recognized the difficulty in getting together to work on new HTM music due to personal schedules and proximity. They had amassed an abundance of material that they feared would never get recorded if they waited for HTM to record it. It was from this reality that they began recording the duo project, โPedal Giant Animalsโ. The PGA project, with guest musicians Chris Mack and Pete Princiotto, became the seed for a new bandโฆOblivion Sun. Eventually, the band would undergo several member changes, with Bill Plummer playing keys alongside Frank for a while, three different bassists, including Keith Macsoud and Dave DeMarco, before settling in with David Hughes at that spot, and three different drummers until Bill Brasso claimed the throne for good.
Oblivion Sun comfortably crosses many genres while staying true to their progressive roots. This is a band thatโs not afraid to get downright funky at times and throw down some serious rock grooves. Expect a good deal of vocal content as well! Fear not, this is still progressive rock, and fans of HTMโs lush arrangements will not be disappointed.
The ensemble features the compositional and performance skills of four musicians: Stan Whitaker on guitar and vocals, Frank Wyatt on keyboards and reeds, Bill Brasso on drums, and David Hughes on bass and vocals.
Together, Oblivion Sun have created a powerful, dynamic sound that is sure to satisfy all prog fans, young and old alike. The band quickly established itself as a forerunner in the ongoing evolution of progressive music. In January 2013, the band released their sophomore effort, entitled The High Places, to rave reviews in rock and progressive magazines. This tour de force maintains the bandโs instrumental progressive roots while expanding their vocal repertoire.
Oblivion Sun headlined the U.S. progressive rock festival RoSfest in 2010, and in 2013 headlined at ProgDay (North Carolina) and the New Jersey ProgHouse. No longer performing live, the musicians have been collaborating with Frank on his Zeitgeist project.
