Happy Mondays

Happy Mondays are a band formed in Manchester, England in 1985. The band was fronted by Shaun Ryder, who formed the band with his brother Paul Ryder, who played bass, and their friend Bez, who danced, played percussion and provided moral support, plus guitarist Mark Day, keyboardist Paul Davis, and drummer Gary Whelan. They have stated that the band name is a take on the title of New Order's timeless classic, "Blue Monday."

Related Topics:
Manchester - England - 1985 - Shaun Ryder - Paul Ryder - Bez - Mark Day - Paul Davis - Gary Whelan - New Order - Blue Monday

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Manchester pop impresario Tony Wilson discovered the Mondays at a battle of the bands contest held at his Haçienda nightclub. The story goes that Wilson signed them to his label, Factory Records, even though they came in last. Their first album, Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out), debuted in 1987. A number of other albums followed, most of which were released in the United States on the Elektra Records label. By the late '80s, the Happy Mondays were an important part of the Madchester music scene and personified rave culture. Shaun Ryder fought against a serious drugs problem which typified the scene and the era.

Related Topics:
Impresario - Tony Wilson - Haçienda - Factory Records - Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out) - 1987 - United States - Elektra Records - Madchester - Rave - Shaun Ryder

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Musically, the band fused indie pop guitars with a rhythmic style that owed much to house music, techno and northern soul. Much of their music was remixed by popular DJs, emphasising the dance influences even further. In terms of style and dress, they crossed hippy fashion and ideals with '70s glamour. Sartorially and musically, the band helped to encourage the psychedelic revival associated with acid house. One of their most popular songs was "Lazyitis (One Armed Boxer)", featuring a surreal duet between Ryder and country music legend Karl Denver.

Related Topics:
House music - Techno - Northern soul - DJ - Hippy - Psychedelic - Acid house - Country music - Karl Denver

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The Mondays disbanded in 1992, and Shaun Ryder and Bez formed Black Grape. Seven years passed and in 1999 Mondays reformed minus Paul Davis and Mark Day. However, the reunion with a world tour and the release of a new single, The Boys are Back in Town, was to be short-lived. The single sunk in the charts, reaching only number 30 in the UK, and with mixed reaction to the live shows, Shaun Ryder called it a day in 2000. 2004 saw another reformation, with Bez, Gary Whelan and Shaun Ryder (following an unsuccessful solo career). They released a live DVD that year, and current rumour suggests that the band is recording a new album. The Mondays will play a variety of festival dates in 2005 (including Glastonbury), capping it off with a concert at the Manchester Evening News Arena in their hometown.

Related Topics:
1992 - Black Grape - Glastonbury - Manchester Evening News Arena

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The band is featured in the 2002 movie 24 Hour Party People, with Danny Cunningham as Shaun Ryder. Paul Ryder had a cameo role as a gangster.

Related Topics:
2002 - 24 Hour Party People - Danny Cunningham - Gangster

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The band have recently reformed; they are now playing live gigs throughout the UK and have recorded a new single "Playground Superstar" which will also feature on the soundtrack for the football film Goal!.

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