Happy Mondays have always managed to carve a smile on my face. So I'll light this little Xmas day up with the Happy Mondays. Challenging the Pitchfork list. I had one live-experience with Shaun Ryder and Bez. In 1995 where they did a terrible - slash - really awesome disturbed show with Black Grape at Roskilde Festival. Shaun Ryder was piss drunk and tumbled about on stage doing his mental stuff. Well. Before that time, they were the Happy Mondays. And just as badass crazy with ecstasy and manic obsessions.
Anyone who know their brit-rock trivia OR have seen 24 Hour Party People would be aware of that Mr. Manchester - Tony Wilson - found these guys. Quality was a trademark for Mr. Manchester, who pushed acts like Joy Division and Sex Pistols into the limelight.
Well 'nuff said. The Pitchfork 500 single with Happy Mondays is 'Kinky Afro' from album Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches. That single hit the #1 spot in US. The songs chorus paraphrases the Labelle song "Lady Marmalade".
The challenge is that on the same album you'll find 'Step On'. That song didn't make the number one position in the US, but performed just as good back home in England.
To me this song is much more Happy Monday'ish, more bizare and freaky. Also this track is completely stolen from John Kongos' "He's Gonna Step On You Again" showing only that the Happy Mondays can steal anything claiming it their own.
But the real shit about this classic is the intro. Shaun Ryder on E or something singing 'You are twisting ma mellons maaaaaaaan'.
Either way. These two tracks are the most popular from Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches. That album is a masterpiece and reminds me of good times in the 90's.
First: Step On
Second: Kinky Afro
3 comments:
A crazy but charming bunch, alright. Slight correction, though: Sex Pistols was not part of the Madchester scene and Tony Wilson. They were London-based and managed by the maybe even more eccentric Malcolm McLaren.
However, I loved '24 Hour Party People' the film about Tony Wilson. In the end he looks back on his career: regrets he rejected The Smiths but satisfied with his rejection of Simply Red because "He's ginger!".
This brought back lots of memories...
RIP Tony Wilson -- and thanks for Madchester (a scene you must have known could never last).
@Mogens: Sorry, you're right. Mr Wilson just oversaw their first show and booked them for his television show on Granada-tv.
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