Too Much Joy: The Underdogs of Alternative Rock

Episode 906 - Pop Punk/Punk Pop before it was a thing.

Too Much Joy is an American alternative rock band that emerged from Scarsdale, New York, in the early 1980s. Known for their irreverent humor and rebellious spirit, the band has carved out a unique space in the music industry, even if mainstream success has eluded them.

Members and Origins

The band originally consisted of Tim Quirk (vocals), Jay Blumenfield (guitar, vocals), Sandy Smallens (bass, vocals), and Tommy Vinton (drums). The group briefly went by the name "The Rave" before Quirk got inspired by a phrase he encountered during his first experience with psychedelics.

Over the years, the lineup saw some changes. Tommy LaRussa temporarily replaced Vinton as drummer from 1982 to 1983, and in 1994, Smallens amicably left the band. William Wittman, a producer and bassist who also plays with Cyndi Lauper, stepped in to fill the gap left by Smallens. Despite these changes, the core of the band remained, driven by a shared love of making music that was both fun and thought-provoking.

A Rocky Journey to Success

Too Much Joy gained a cult following with their third album, Cereal Killers, but subsequent releases failed to replicate that success. By 1997, the band announced a hiatus, disillusioned by the commercial pressures of the music industry. Yet, they didn't stay dormant for long. In 1999 and 2001, they released Gods and Sods, a compilation of outtakes and demos, and Live at Least, a live album capturing the energy of their performances.

The band briefly reunited in the early 2000s to record a holiday single, "Ruby Left a Present Underneath the Christmas Tree," and continued to dabble in side projects like the ITS, Surface Wound, and Wonderlick.

In 2021, they made a notable return with the self-released album Mistakes Were Made.

Legal Battles and Controversies

Too Much Joy's history is peppered with legal skirmishes, the most famous of which involved a lawsuit from Bozo the Clown. The band had sampled a line from a Bozo album in the intro to their song "Clowns," which appeared on the independent release of Son of Sam I Am. The lawsuit led to the removal of the sample when the album was re-released by Warner Bros. Records.

In 1990, the band made headlines when they were arrested in Florida for performing songs by the controversial hip-hop group 2 Live Crew, who had been charged with obscenity. Too Much Joy’s protest concert, intended to highlight the absurdity of the charges against 2 Live Crew, ended with the band spending a night in jail. However, they were quickly acquitted, and the incident highlighted their commitment to artistic freedom.

The band also had a run-in with the Secret Service after lead singer Tim Quirk made a joke about strangling President Clinton during a performance. Although it was all in jest, the Secret Service did not take it lightly, and Quirk was detained and questioned after the show.

The 2007 Reunion and Legacy

Though never officially broken up, Too Much Joy reunited in 2007 for a special performance at the Knitting Factory in New York City, celebrating drummer Tommy Vinton’s retirement from the NYPD. The event featured both of the band's bassists, Smallens and Wittman, sharing the stage in a nostalgic nod to their shared history.

Too Much Joy's legacy is one of resilience and defiance. They may not have topped the charts, but their music continues to resonate with fans who appreciate their blend of humor, social commentary, and unfiltered rock energy.

Their story is a testament to the enduring spirit of indie bands everywhere—fighting against the odds and having a blast while doing it.

Thanks to Geoff’s love, and dogged pursuit, of the band we were able to get Sandy, Tim, and Jay into Thunderlove Studio for a career spanning conversation.

We hope you enjoy it!