The Happy Mondays

Line up:

Vocals- Shaun Ryder

Bass- Paul Ryder

Guitar- Mark Day

Keyboards- Paul Davis

Drums- Gary Whelan

Dancer- Bez

Bio:

Along with The Stone Roses, the Happy Mondays were one of the major names of the "Madchester" scene. They were signed to Anthony Wilson's Factory label, and released their debut, 'Squirrel and G-Man' in 1987. They represented the dark side of rave culture, with vocalist Shaun Ryder sounding and acting like your average thug.

They released 'Bummed', their second album, in 1988, which was extremely popular. This was followed by 'Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches' in 1990, which had a similar response from the public. Then it all went wrong. There was no longer an interest in the "Madchester" scene, and their final studio album 'Yes, Please' didn't sell as well as the previous two albums.

It was around this time that Shaun Ryder became addicted to heroin, which eventually became the catalyst to the band's downfall. The band broke up, and Ryder and Bex re-appeared in the mid-90s with Black Grape.

Discography:

Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out):      Factory/1987

Bummed:     Factory/1988

Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches:     Factory/1990

Yes, Please:      Factory/1992