HAPPY MONDAYS are still together despite their bust-up at last August’s WITNNESS FESTIVAL and have made plans for 2001, NME.COM can reveal.
It looked like the band had finally come to an end after an alleged fight between frontman Shaun Ryder and singer Rowetta on the ferry over to Dublin for the show. Following the incident, neither Rowetta or Bez joined Ryder on stage and at the end of the Mondays’ set, he announced: “That was our last show, ever.”
However, it’s been confirmed the Mondays will play the Australian Big Day Out festival later this month.
The band’s long term future is still in doubt, despite singer Nuts’ recent assertions to NME.COM that things had “sorted themselves out”.
Speaking last week to NME.COM, he said: “I know I’m going to Australia and that’s about it! I’m still smoking and waiting until the day I go. Everybody’s doing it as far as I know! Things sort themselves out.
“I’ve been writing my own stuff and I’m supposed to be doing something with some other people but I would really like for him to do something, and me to do it with him.”
Despite Nuts’ optimism, a source close to the group last week said that there was “zero per cent chance” of the group writing new material or staying together.
The source said: “As far as I know, Shaun doesn’t want to do it anymore and if he’s not there, then there’s no Mondays.”
Meanwhile, Shaun Ryder has just put together his first ‘mix CD’. It will be the second in Beechwood Music’s ‘Planet Groove’ series following the debut by Huey of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals earlier this year.
The album, out on January 29, features tracks by Sly and The Family Stone, DJ EZ, Artful Dodger, Rob Base, and the Ghetto Boys.