"Do I think the Mondays will go down in musical history? I couldn't give a f**k!"

Shaun Ryder

Manchester in the 1980s was a hotbed of musical talent, with Anthony H. Wilson's Factory Records label showcasing some of the country's greatest acts, and the city's club scene was revitalised by the Factory owned Haçienda venue. But Factory's success was based on two of the decade's most successful bands. The first of these bands, New Order, had been formed by the remaining members of Joy Division after the tragic suicide of frontman Ian Curtis and released a number of groundbreaking record to critical acclaim. The second band who would play a leading role in the rise and fall of Factory* were more like a gang than a band, and one of the members would confound critics by having no discernible talents except for being able to shake his maracas in time to a beat that sometimes only existed in his own head. This gang of Salford scallies called themselves The Happy Mondays.

The Band

Shaun William Ryder, aka "X":

Paul Ryder aka "Horse":

Mark Berry, aka "Bez": was technically the percussionist of the band, yet his role was generally to fill himself full of ecstasy, clutch his trusty pair of maracas and prance around gurning. Born in Swinton, Bez was the ultimate 'slacker' who coasted through school fighting and stealing before serving six months in prison as a teenager for a robbery he claimed not to have been involved in. After his release, Bez spent a few years living a semi-criminal existence before heading off around Europe with a few friends. This trip ended up with Bez alone, in Morocco, smoking large amounts of cannabis with a local nutter* before eventually making his way back to England. On his return, Bez was introduced to Shaun by a mutual friend, and after acting as the band's ecstasy supplier joined them onstage at the Haçienda where his unorthodox methods of dancing became as much a part of the band's style as their distinctive sound. Bez remained at Shaun's side throughout the breakup of the band, and joined Black Grape with him, until a dispute about his role in the band led to him quitting and cropping up on childrens TV. The pair reconciled in 1999, although Bez has eclipsed Shaun in terms of fame, thanks to his win on Celebrity Big Brother in 2005. Bez now makes a living as a DJ at club nights around the country where his 'Big Brother' tag features more prominently than his 'Happy Mondays' credentials.

Mark Day aka "Moose" or "Cowhead": like Paul Davis was one of the lesser known members of the Happy Mondays. Mark quietly blended into the background of Mondays performances with a funky/pop guitar sound playing off nicely against Paul's lilting bass. His persona offstage (DAN??) There was much animosity from Mark towards Bez as he thought that Bez was leeching off the hard work of the more talented band members. When the Mondays reformed to play a gig at Hereford Leisure Centre in the latter part of April, 1999. Cowhead wanted nothing more to do with the band and so declined the reunion *. Nowadays (he does what?? DAN??)

Paul Davis, aka "PD":

Gary Whelan:

...and Rowetta: