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Happy Mondays - Loads - The Singles Collection
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[1984-1992] [1993-2007]
1993
EMI offered a deal to help rescue The Happy Mondays however it was reported that Shaun Ryder walked out in the middle of the negotiation meeting to get himself a K.F.C. (the band's nickname for heroin). He failed to return and the group disbanded angrily.
Happy Mondays - Double Easy Double Easy - The US Singles
Released in Sep 1993, this US Greatest Hits album featured '24 Hour Party People', 'Wrote For Luck', 'Lazyitis', 'Mad Cyril', 'Hallelujah (MacColl Mix)', 'Step On', 'Tokoloshe Man', 'Kinky Afro', 'Loose Fit', 'Bob's Yer Uncle', 'Judge Fudge', 'Stinkin Thinkin', 'Sunshine & Love', 'WFL', 'Angel', and various remixes. Interestingly '24 Hour Party People', 'Angel' and 'WFL' were never actually released as singles in the USA.
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Shaun Ryder overcame his drug addictions and returned with Bez to form Black Grape. Extra vocals were supplied by Paul 'Kermit' Leveridge with his former Ruthless Rap Assassins bandmate, Ged Lynch, on drums. Multi-talented Danny Saber and ex-Paris Angels guitarist Paul 'Wags' Wagstaff provided instrumentals.
1995
Black Grape - Reverend Black Grape Reverend Black Grape listen to soundbites
Black Grape
single released June 1995. Later on album. The CD sleeve had a photograph of George Best whilst the B-side had a remix plus the new track 'Straight Out Of Trumpton '. Reached UK no.9
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Happy Mondays Call The Cops Call The Cops - USA '90
VHS video recorded live during their 'Call The Cops' 1990 USA Summer Tour. Fly-on-the -wall footage is blended with 10 live tracks, 'Step On', 'Clap Your Hands', 'Kinky Afro', 'Lazyitis', 'Rave On', 'Do It Better', 'Performance', 'Gods Cop', 'Hallelujah' and 'Wrote For Luck' (released Jul 1995)
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Black Grape - In The Name Of The Father In The Name Of The Father listen to soundbites
Black Grape
another Top 10 single from the new album, released Aug 1995. Features B-side remix and new track 'Land Of 1000 Karma Sutra Babes'. Reached UK no.8
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Black Grape - It's Great When You're Straight It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah listen to soundbites
Black Grape
The chart-topping album was released in August 1995 and featured the hit singles 'In the Name of the Father', 'Reverend Black Grape' and 'Kelly's Heroes'. Selling over half million copies in the UK alone, it was an instant success on its release, going straight to no.1
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Happy Mondays - Loads Loads
This singles collection was quietly released in Oct 1995, only reaching no.41. It included the singles 'Tart Tart', '24 Hour Party People', 'Wrote For Luck', 'Lazyitis', 'Hallelujah', 'Step On', 'Kinky Afro', 'Loose Fit', 'Judge Fudge', 'Stinkin' Thinkin', 'Sunshine & Love' plus 'Kuff Dam', 'Mad Cyril', 'Tokoloshe Man', 'Bob's Yer Uncle' and 'Angel'. The limited edition had an extra CD, 'Loads More', which had remixes plus rare tracks 'Delightful' & 'Freaky Dancin'
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Black Grape - Kelly's Heroes Kelly's Heroes listen to soundbites
Black Grape
single taken from the album, released Dec 95, B-side remixes plus 'Little Bob' live. A ltd live edition was also released with takes of 'In The Name Of The Father' and 'Fat Neck'. Reached UK no.17
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1996
Black Grape - Fat Neck Fat Neck
Black Grape
single from May 96, not on the album. Written about friend, Karl Power (later became famous by sneaking on to a Manchester United team line-up amongst other pranks) it featured Johnny Marr on guitar. B-side includes 'Pretty Vacant live' and a remix of 'Yeah Yeah Brother'. Reached UK no.10
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Black Grape - England's Irie England's Irie listen to soundbites
Black Grape featuring Joe Strummer & Keith Allen
single from June 96 recorded for the World Cup in France. Not on the album. Featuring Joe Strummer and Keith Allen (father of Lilly Allen) the b-side included remixes. Reached UK no.6
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Shaun Ryder sacked Black Grape's management after he claimed they were taking more money from him than they were actually owed. This sparked a legal battle that would almost bankrupt Ryder
The Heads featuring Shaun Ryder Don't Take My Kindness For Weakness listen to soundbites
The Heads featuring Shaun Ryder
Single feat. Shaun from ex-Talking Heads Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison & Tina Weymouth (Oct'06)
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1997
Shaun Ryder by Mick Middles Shaun Ryder - Happy Mondays, Black Grape and Other Traumas!
Mick Middles
biography of Shaun Ryder, The Happy Mondays and formation of Black Grape (May 1997)
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Whilst appearing on 6pm TV show, TFI Friday, Shaun Ryder used the word 'fuck' twice. As a result he became the only person specifically named in Channel 4's Book of Compliance which states "Please note that the Channel 4 Board has undertaken to the ITC that Shaun Ryder will not appear live on Channel 4"
Black Grape - Get Higher Get Higher listen to soundbites
Black Grape
Nov'97 single from new album, featuring impersonations of Ronald and Nancy Reagan promoting marijuana. B-side remixes plus 'Rubberband - live'. Reached UK no.24
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Black Grape - Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid
Black Grape
The second album from Black Grape was released in November 1997 and featured the singles 'Get Higher' and 'Marbles' as well as a cover of Northern Soul classic 'Lonely'. A limited edition of the CD featured plastic moving eyes on the CD cover. Reached no.11
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1998
Shaun Ryder by Lisa Verrico High Life 'n' Low Down Dirty - The Thrills & Spills of Shaun Ryder
Lisa Verrico
biography of Shaun Ryder looking at his time with Happy Mondays and Black Grape (Jan 1998)
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Black Grape - Marbles Marbles listen to soundbites
Black Grape
Feb'98 single, taken from album. B-side remixes plus new track 'Harry The Dog'. Reached no.46
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Shaun Ryder in His Own Words Shaun Ryder - In His Own Words
Mick Middles
unofficial collection of quotes and interviews from Shaun Ryder, his family and friends (Apr 1998)
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In July 1988 Black Grape split up
Shaun Ryder in The Avengers The Avengers
Shaun Ryder makes his acting debut alongside Sean Connery, Uma Thurman and Ralph Fiennes in this spy-spoof based on the 1960's TV series. Playing criminal, Donavan, his cameo appearance is enough to make any Happy Modays fan laugh. (August 1998)
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Bez - the autobiography Freaky Dancin' - Me and The Mondays
Bez
Bez's honest and hilarious autobiography in which he tells how he lived in a Morrocan cave with a man who made his own LSD and, when thrown out of home by his policeman father, lived in a fully furnished shed for two years. Excellent! (Sep 1998).
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In October, Shaun Ryder stated that The Happy Mondays would never get back together. Six weeks later, having received a massive tax demand and an expensive divorce, he changed his mind.
The Happy Mondays reformed with Shaun Ryder (vocals), Gary 'Gaz' Whelan (drums), Bez (vibes) and Rowetta (backing vocals). Mark Day was replaced on guitar by Black Grape's Paul Wagstaff, whilst Paul Davis (keyboard) was replaced by 'Nuts'. Paul Ryder (bass) reluctantly agreed to join, ending his six year silence with his brother. Shaun later said "it took us two meetings [to get Bez back in the band], the first one lasted about five hours but the next one was cool. We knocked him down from his £50,000 to £15 and a free Admiral T-shirt."
1999
In April 1999, the band kick started a worldwide tour with a huge sell-out concert at the MEN Arena.
Happy Mondays - The Boys Are Back In Town The Boys Are Back In Town listen to soundbites
A poor cover of Thin Lizzy's famous hit produced a UK no.24 single in May 1999. The highlight being Shaun singing "The boys are back, back in the MCR". There was a 'dirty' and 'clean' version of the song, whist B-sides included remixes of 'Lazyitis', 'Loose Fit' and 'Bob's Yer Uncle'
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Happy Mondays - Greatest Hits Greatest Hits listen to soundbites
In May 1999 'The Boys Are Back In Town' joined the singles 'Step On', 'Kinky Afro', 'Loose Fit', 'Hallelujah', 'Judge Fudge', 'Stinkin Thinkin', 'Lazyitis', 'WFL', and '24 Hour Party People' on the band's UK Greatest Hits. The B-sides 'Mad Cyril', 'Bob's yer Uncle' and 'Stayin' Alive' together with some remixes also make it on to the CD
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Shaun Ryder was taken to the High Court for breach of contract by Black Grape's management. He was demanded to pay damages of around £160,000 and had all his assets frozen. All future earnings, incuding publishing rights, would be paid direct to the court until settled
2000
In January, Shaun Ryder lost his High Court Appeal. He claimed he had deliberately been given the contract to sign when he was 'out off it' after smoking marijuana. Whilst the court agreed with him, they stated that it was still legally binding because his lawyer had witnessed the signing of the document and hadn't flagged the discrepancies
Paul Ryder (bass) and Gaz Whelan (drums) formed funky side project Buffalo 66 with Dennis Bourne (vocals). They supported Ian Brown on tour as well as a few Manchester headline gigs.
Buffalo 66 - Hunk of Burning Love Hunk Of Burning Love EP
Buffalo 66
Apr 2000 single from Paul and Gaz featuring 'King Of The Sky''. Did not chart
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The touring had re-introduced the Happy Mondays back to their excessive lifestyle, and in June, not willing to return to his bad ways, Paul Ryder quit ahead of Glastonbury and their Japanese and Australian gigs. He was replaced by former Seahorses bassist Stuart Fletcher
Hallelujah - The story of Shaun Ryder Hallelujah! - The Extraordinary Return of Shaun Ryder and Happy Mondays
John Warburton with Shaun Ryder
The hilarious tale of the Happy Mondays comeback told by Shaun and his Daily Sport mate. Extremely funny and a must read for all Happy Mondays fans (Jul 2000).
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Shaun Ryder and Russell Watson - Barcelona Barcelona - Friends Until the End listen to soundbites
Shaun Ryder & Russell Watson
The unlikely duet of Shaun Ryder and Salford tenor Russell Watson, resulted in this cover of Freddie Mercury & Montserat Caballe's hit. Recorded to celebrate United's 1999 European Cup Final triumph in Barcelona, it only reached UK no.68. It would have surely topped the charts if they'd released it a year earlier. It was later included on Russell's multi-million selling debut CD, 'The Voice' (July 2000)
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The Happy Mondays supported fellow Mancunians, Oasis, on the 'Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants' tour
Following a huge fight between Shaun and Rowetta on the ferry journey over to Ireland for the Witness Festival in August 2000, the Happy Mondays split once more.
2001
Planet Groove Planet Groove - The Shaun Ryder Session
various artists, compiled by Shaun Ryfer
24 track collection compiled by Shaun, featuring tracks that inspired him (Jan 2001)
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2002
Taking it's name from the Monday's track, the Michael Winterbottom movie, '24 Hour Party People', tells the story of Tony Wilson, Factory Records, The Hacienda, Joy Division and The Happy Mondays amongst others.
Happy Mondays - 24 Hour Party People 24 Hour Party People
Despite the occasional hint of a Yorkshire accent, Danny Cunningham superbly plays Shaun Ryder, Paul Poppelwell plays Paul Ryder and Chris Coghill, a very accurate Bez. Interestingly, Paul Ryder appears in the film, convincingly acting as a gangster, whilst Rowetta plays herself.
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2003  
 
Whilst spending time in Australia at the end of the Happy Mondays tour, Shaun Ryder formed Amateur Night In The Big Top with cousin Pete Carroll and Shane Norton
Happy Mondays - Scooter Girl Scooter Girl listen to soundbites 
Amateur Night In The Big Top
single released June 2003. Features B-side remix and 'Clowns', also on the album. Did not chart
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Shaun Ryder - Amateur Night In The Big Top Amateur Night In The Big Top listen to soundbites
Amateur Night In The Big Top
This solo project by Shaun Ryder in July 2003, catches him rambling over funky beats in Mark E Smith or John Cooper Clarke fashion. On opening track 'Story' he rambles about the Monday's problems getting through Customs for a trip to Rio. 'Long Legs' details his money problems whilst 'In 1987', tells the tale of how the Mondays allegedly introduced Ecstasy to the British army and The Hacienda. Includes single 'Scooter Girl'
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Bez formed new band Domino Bones with girlfriend Monica Ward (vocals), Black Grape guitarist Paul Wagstaff, ex-Bodines bassist Ian 'Winker' Watson and Ian Brown's drummer Simon Moore. Apart from dancing, Bez was also involved in songwriting and occassionally singing - or as he put it "I do me dance and spout off with a Mancunian rant, while Mon and the rest of them do proper rock and roll shit"
2004 
Bez - Rattle My Head Rattle My Head 
Bez featuring Shaun Ryder and Domino Bones
The debut single from Bez's Domino Bones in April 2004, on which he could be heard singing for the first time, featured backing vocals from Shaun. Did not chart
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The Happy Mondays reformed with their third line-up consisting of original members Shaun Ryder (vocals), Gary 'Gaz' Whelan (drums) and Bez (vibes). Members of the band, Sonic Audio, integrated into the group with Kev Sandhu (guitars), Mikey Shine (bass), Dave Parkinson (keyboards), John Dunn (guitar) and Poss (decks) filling the space vacated by Paul Wagstaff, 'Nuts and Paul Ryder, who had vowed never to play with his brother again. Rowetta had also left to persue a solo career and also vowed never to work with Shaun again. Legendary singers Angie Brown and Ron Caroll provided backing vocals on the tour which was culminate in another sell-out gig at the MEN Arena.
In December, Rowetta came 4th in the first ever series of X Factor, beaten by Steve Brookstein, G4 and Tabby Callaghan. [watch the video]
2005 
In January, Bez won Celebrity Big Brother after receiving 54% of the total public vote [watch the video]
Shaun Ryder resolved the legal action that meant his finances were frozen for the past 6 years. He reached a settlement with the former Black Grape management team, leaving him free to keep his earnings after he had paid back his debt to them first.
Happy Mondays Live In Barcelona Live In Barcelona
Released in April 2005, this DVD of the Mondays new line-up performing live in Barcelona during 2004 includes all the hits as well as 'Reverend Black Grape'. DVD extras include an interview with Shaun who reflects on each of the band's albums and the changing line-up as well as his plans for the future.
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Happy Mondays Step On live Step On - Live In Barcelona listen to soundbites
The CD of the Barcelona concert was released in August 2005, charting at a disappointing UK no.194. It featured 11 tracks performed by the new line-up, including 'Reverend Black Grape'
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Shaun Ryder with Gorillaz - Dare Dare listen to soundbites
Gorillaz featuring Shaun Ryder
Shaun Ryder appears on the Gorillaz UK No.1 single and it's video (Aug 2005)
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Rowetta - And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going listen to soundbites
Rowetta
Disco single from Rowetta with b-side 'Fly' - both on her album. Did not chart (Sep 2005)
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Rowetta - the debut album Rowetta listen to soundbites
Rowetta
The debut album from Rowetta includes the single together with 3 self-penned tracks, 'Fly', 'Pure, Faithful & True' and 'Thunder and Lightning', and jazz, soul and disco covers as diverse as The Beatles, Sammy Davis Jr and Oasis. Did not chart (Oct 2005)
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Happy Mondays - Playground Superstar Playground Superstar listen to soundbites
The band's first recording with the new line-up was the theme tune for the 'Goal!' movie, starring Rochdale actress Anna Friel. Despite much publicity, the single only reached no.51 in Oct 2005
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Happy Mondays Platinum Collection The Platinum Collection listen to soundbites
This budget compilation CD, released in Dec 2005 boasted 15 tracks including, amongst seemingly random album tracks, singles 'Step On', 'Judge Fudge', 'Boys Are Back In Town', 'Stinkin Thinkin', 'Lazyitis', 'WFL', '24 Hour Party People' and 'Tart Tart'. Best-sellers 'Kinky Afro', 'Loose Fit', 'Hallelujah', were all interestingly missing. (Does not chart)
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2006
Gorillaz with Shaun Ryder in Manchester Demon Days Live At The Manchester Opera House
Gorillaz
Released in March 2006, this DVD of Damon Albarn's Gorillaz was recorded live at the Manchester Opera House. Featuring a live performance from a somewhat drunken(?) Shaun Ryder on the track 'Dare'
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Bez - One Dream One Dream listen to soundbites
Bez featuring Monica Ward & Domino Bones
Bez released this single for the World Cup in Germany, June 2006. Lyrics included 'One ball, one team, Three Lions, one dream'. Did not chart
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Bez's Madchester Anthems Bez's Madchester Anthems - Sorted Tunes from Back in the Day listen to soundbites
various artists, compiled by Bez
Collection of Madchester hits compiled by Bez, featuring 38 tracks including 'Step On', 'Kinky Afro' and the not-so-Madchester new single 'One Dream'
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In June, the Happy Mondays performed a concert in Liverpool followed by an hour long set at The Fuji Rock Festival in Japan
Gorillaz with Shaun Ryder Phaze 2: Slow Boat To Hades
Gorillaz
The DVD collection of Gorillaz videos & more. Features Shaun Ryder in 'Dare' (Oct 2006)
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2007
In April, the Happy Mondays gave a poor performance at the Coachella Music Festival in California. Bez couldn't perform as the USA refused him a visa and Shaun remained static for most of the gig, apologising for his poor showing repeatedly. The band then returned to tour the UK which included a sell-out gig at The Ritz as part of the Manchester International Festival in May
Happy Mondays - Uncle Dysfunctional Uncle Dysfunktional
The Happy Mondays first studio album in over 15 years was released in July 2007. The new line-up produced 13 new tracks, including 2 unnamed hidden tracks at the end of the CD. Without any singles providing valuable airplay it flopped at UK no.73.
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In July, Paul Ryder returned with his new electro funk band, Big Arm, the name taken from Ian Brown's nickname of the former Monday's bass player. The line up: Paul Ryder (vocals & bass), Pete Smith (keyboards), Danny Short (drums), Daz Gilkinson (guitars) and Lea Mullen (percussion)
Paul Ryder's Big Arm - Flashback Flashbacks listen to soundbites
Big Arm
Paul Ryder's new band released this single in July 2007. Did not chart
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Big Arm support Ian Brown on his UK tour (27th Sep-26th Oct) including 2 nights at the Manchester G-Mex
Paul Ryder's Big Arm - Sunrays Sunrays listen to soundbites
Big Arm
The second single, ahead of the album, released 24 Sep 2007
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Big Arm - Radiator Radiator
Big Arm
The debut album from Paul Ryder's new band, features the singles 'Flashbacks' and 'Sunrays'. Released 15th Oct 2007
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[1984-1992] [1993-2007]
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