Happy Mondays

Picture of Happy Mondays

Artist Type: Group
Group Formed: 1985
Group Dissolved: 1992

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Artist Biography

Happy Mondays are an alternative rock band formed in Salford, Greater Manchester, England in 1985. The band is fronted by Shaun Ryder, who formed the band with his brother Paul Ryder, who played bass. The rest of the band consists of their friend Bez, who danced and played percussion, 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."

First incarnationManchester pop impresario Tony Wilson discovered the Mondays at a battle of the bands contest held at his Hacienda 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 1980s, the Happy Mondays were an important part of the Madchester music scene and personified rave culture. Shaun Ryder fought against a serious drug problem which typified the scene and the era.

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