CULTURE EDITION
THAT MONDAY FEELING
This month, the 35th anniversary tour of an iconic Happy Mondays album arrives in Cambridge. Louise Hoffman caught up with frontman Shaun Ryder ahead of the show I t was in November 1990 that Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches – Happy Mondays’ third studio album – hit the shelves. For those of us who
remember that moment, it is a shock to the system to realise that it took place just over 35 years ago. “Some weeks it feels a lot longer and some a lot shorter!” admits lead vocalist Shaun Ryder with a really wholesome belly laugh. “It just depends how I’m feeling. But mostly it feels pretty damn good. I’ve been very fortunate.” Formed in 1980 in Salford, Greater Manchester – with Shaun performing alongside his brother Paul Ryder on bass, lead guitarist Mark Day, keyboardist Paul Davis, drummer Gary Whelan and, later, dancer and percussionist Mark ‘Bez’ Berry and vocalist Rowetta – the band’s signature blend of funk, rock, psychedelia, house and rave pioneered the Madchester music and cultural scene that rose up in the late 80s. They had already released Forty Five EP , Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out) and Bummed before seeing in a new decade with the album that was to really put them on the map. Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches went platinum in the UK, selling more than 350,000 copies, with two of its hits, Step On and Kinky Afro , reaching number five in the UK singles chart. When asked what his favourite tracks are, Shaun admits his answer has changed over time: “You first start off and it’s all fantastic, and then after three years of being on the road it’s like ‘not that again’. Ten years on and it’s ‘oh no!’, I mean the number of times we did Step On – I’d be pulling my hair out. I’ve got no hair left!
ROCKSTARS Now their fans have had kids and grandkids, Happy Mondays shows look a little different
So, what does he love about today’s concert crowds? “Well, the thing about today’s audiences is, we should probably be selling family tickets!” he laughs. “I mean, we’re in our 60s, so you’ve got the people who are our age, and they’ve got kids who are in their 40s, who bring their kids along because they’ve been brought up listening to our music with their mam and dad. So, our audience goes from about eight to 80!” With highlights from Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches , plus other fan favourites such as Hallelujah and 24 Hour Party People on the setlist for the show, I conclude by double checking that the whole band (now comprising Shaun, Bez, Mark, Gary, Dan Broad and Firouzeh Berry) will be there. Shaun grins: “Yes, mentally and physically I hope!” Happy Mondays will perform at Cambridge Corn Exchange on 26 March. Find out more at cornex.co.uk
“But you get beyond that, and I mean now – and I’m not just saying it – it’s better than ever. I appreciate and love everything we do. It’s like it was at the start; I’m back to feeling good about it all. I like doing Step On more than ever!” You’d be forgiven for thinking he pines for those 80s and 90s glory days, but that’s far from the case. “I get asked all the time, ‘oh do you wish you were back in the day?’, and honestly, I don’t. I don’t want to be f*cking 20 again, or 18 or even 30. I love where I am now . I’m easy in my shoes; it’s like wearing comfy slippers all the time. The sex and drugs are gone, and we’re left with the rock ’n’ roll.”
It’s better than ever . I appreciate and love everything we do . It’s like it was at the start; I’m back to feeling good
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK MARCH 2026 19
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