The Pursuit of Happiness (TPOH) are a Canadian rock and power pop band best known for their song "I'm an Adult Now".

Beginnings

Led by Edmonton, Alberta, frontman Moe Berg, The Pursuit of Happiness were launched in 1985 when he 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", quickly became a smash hit across Canada in 1986, sparked by a low-budget video (made by Berg's director friend Nelu Ghiran) which made it onto the Canadian music video channel MuchMusic.

The band signed with manager Jeff Rogers (Swell) in 1986. The band did not immediately sign to a record label, but instead released another independent single, "Killed by Love", in 1988. The Amabile sisters left to concentrate on their own band, and were replaced by Kris Abbott (guitar and backing vocals) and Leslie Stanwyck (backing vocals) in early 1988.

Chrysalis Records

In 1988, they signed to Chrysalis Records. Their debut album, Love Junk, was produced by Todd Rundgren and released that year. "I'm an Adult Now" was re-recorded and re-released as a single, making it to the charts a second time. In January 1989 the song peaked at No. 6 on Billboard's alternative songs chart. It was followed by "She's So Young", which became their biggest hit single in Canada and also received radio play in the UK and became a minor hit there, and "Hard To Laugh". The album sold over 100,000 copies in Canada and was certified platinum.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Love Junks release, in September 2018 the band released a deluxe edition, featuring remastered versions of Love Junks 13 tunes, and a 13 additional unreleased, live, and other rare recordings. To support the deluxe album's release the band played several dates in Canada in late 2018 and in 2019, where they would play Love Junk in its entirety, along with several other favourites. As of 2025, the band continues to play selected festivals, events, and other dates.

Current members

  • Moe Berg – lead vocals, lead guitar, songwriting (1985–present)
  • Dave Gilby – drums (1985–present)
  • Kris Abbott – guitar, backing vocals (1988–present)
  • Brad Barker – bass, occasional live backing vocals (1990–present)
  • Renee Suchy – backing vocals, live percussion (1996–present)

Former members

  • Johnny Sinclair - bass, backing vocals (1985–1990)
  • Tam Amabile - backing vocals (1985–1988)
  • Tasha Amabile - backing vocals (1985–1988)
  • Leslie Stanwyck - backing vocals (1988–1990)
  • Susan Murumets - backing vocals (touring only, 1990–1991)
  • Rachel Oldfield - backing vocals (1992–1995)
  • Jennifer Foster - backing vocals (1995–1996)

Timeline

Discography

Albums

{|class="wikitable"

|-

! rowspan="2" | Year

! rowspan="2" | Title

! colspan="2" | Peak chart positions

! rowspan="2" | Certifications

|- style="font-size: smaller;"

! width="90" | CAN<br />

! width="90" | AUS<br />

|-

|1988

|Love Junk

| align="center" | 28

| align="center" | 88

|

  • MC: Platinum

|-

|1990

|One Sided Story

| align="center" | 18

| align="center" | 112

|

  • MC: Gold