One of the few truly iconic British frontmen of recent times, Shaun William Ryder has haphazardly but enthusiastically blazed a trail that many have followed. Now for the first time, the greatest moments from a career like no other have been made available on one album. “XXX: Thirty Years Of Bellyaching”
Ryder himself states… “It’s been an interesting journey, people have always bet against me but I guess that now I’ve reached this point I’ve proved them wrong. I’ve had a colourful life played out in the tabloids, but music’s always come first and it’s great to pull it all together here.”
Renowned for his wit and swagger at the helm of the seminal Happy Mondays as they ram-raided the charts with a slew of classic singles, it was Ryder who encapsulated the anarchic humour at the band’s heart. Formed in 1980, the band comprised Ryder, brother Paul on bass, guitarist Mark Day, Paul Davis on keys, drummer Gaz Whelan and, latterly, the irrepressible Bez. Releasing their first single through Factory in 85 – after winning a battle of the bands at The Hacienda - the Mondays defined an era. When the band split in 1992, he returned – Bez in tow - with the exuberant Black Grape in 1995, immediately scoring a number one album with ‘It’s Great When You’re Straight’. After the second Black Grape album ‘Stupid Stupid Stupid’ fared less well, the band folded in 1998. 1999 saw the Happy Mondays get back together for a year, before imploding again.
Ryder’s next move confounded many; in 2001 he appeared on Russell Watson’s debut album performing with the tenor on ‘Barcelona’. In 2004 the Happy Mondays reformed again [and still perform on occasion]. In 2005 he recorded ‘Dare’ with Gorillaz for their gigantic debut album ‘Demon Days’. This was followed in 2007 by a new Happy Mondays album ‘Uncle Dysfunctional’.