The Beat Farmers is an American rock band formed in San Diego, California, in August 1983 by Country Dick Montana and Jerry Raney. The group gained early traction playing at local venues and won the annual San Diego Battle of the Bands in 1984. Their first album, Tales of the New West (1985), was released under Rhino Records and featured the song "Happy Boy". In 1986, the band released the EP Glad 'N' Greasy (1986) and signed with Curb Records to release the album Van Go (1986). Subsequent albums include The Pursuit of Happiness (1987), Poor & Famous (1989), Viking Lullabys (1994), and Manifold (1995). The group's live album, Loud and Plowed and ... LIVE!!, was released in 1990. Following Montana's death on November 8, 1995, the band dissolved, but the surviving members later reunited to perform.
