January 27th 2024.
In an exclusive interview, Shaun Ryder, the 61-year-old frontman of the iconic 'Madchester' band Happy Mondays and Black Grape, opens up about his latest album, his wild past of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, and why it's time to put Happy Mondays to rest.
Ryder, who has recently appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here and Celebrity Gogglebox with his dance maestro best friend Bez, speaks candidly about his upbringing in 1960s Salford and his journey through drug addiction and recovery.
The duo's long-time manager, Alan McGee, is responsible for Black Grape's new album, Orange Head, which marks the band's return since 2017. Ryder credits McGee for pushing them to create new music, as he wanted to take a break from Happy Mondays and focus on Black Grape and his solo project, Mantra Of The Cosmos.
When asked if he expected to still be making music in his 60s, Ryder confidently replies with a comparison to the Rolling Stones and other 60s bands. He adds that he doesn't see himself retiring anytime soon and hopes to still be performing at 80 like Mick Jagger.
Talking about his new song "Dirt," Ryder explains that it's about his and Kermit's memories of growing up in Salford and Manchester. He recalls one specific incident from his childhood where he almost cut his hands on a razor blade that someone had stuck on a concrete slide at a nearby park.
Reflecting on his childhood, Ryder describes his neighborhood as normal but remembers that there was a lot of trouble, including drugs. He shares a memory from when he was seven or eight years old, where the police came to his school to educate them about heroin. Little did he know that he would later struggle with heroin addiction himself.
The Happy Mondays are known for their wild and debaucherous stories, including a recording session and drugs binge in Barbados that contributed to the bankruptcy of Factory Records. Ryder admits that the early days were fun, but towards the end, the band had fallen into the cliché of rock and roll, with everyone hating each other except for him and Bez.
After a successful run, the band is now planning to take a break for three years after their upcoming UK tour. When asked about a new Happy Mondays album, Ryder reveals that McGee wants them to release one after the three-year break, which would be in 2027.
Speaking about touring, Ryder says that it's better and easier now than when they first started at 18 years old. He shares that in his late 30s, he decided to put an end to his wild lifestyle and focus on being a father to his children, who are now 14 and 16 years old.
When asked if it was difficult to get clean, Ryder emphasizes that one has to want to get clean before they can actually do it. He credits his decision to stop to his own determination and willpower.
Nowadays, Ryder's rider consists of a couple of cans of Guinness and maybe some French vodka, Grey Goose. He adds that there are more crisps and sweets than booze and drugs, which is quite a contrast to the past, where their rider could have fed thousands on drugs and alcohol.
Despite the wild and glamorous lifestyle that comes with being a rock star, Ryder admits that he doesn't miss it at all. He states that at 61 years old, he's happy and content with his life and has no desire to go back to his old ways.
Ending the interview on a lighter note, Ryder talks about his experience on Gogglebox, where he gets paid to sit with his best mate, get drunk, and watch TV. He jokes that if he had the chance to do that straight out of school, he would have taken it.
Fans can catch Black Grape on tour this summer, and the Happy Mondays will be touring the UK in March and April.
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