Shaun Ryder has fanned the flames of the recent rift with his brother and former Happy Mondays bassist, PAUL, telling nme.com: “I’m pulling that lever when they drop him and hang him.”
Paul had walked out on the reformed Mancunians before the Glastonbury Festival after Shaun had commented that there would be no future Mondays album because he did not get on with the rest of the band, as well as insisting they should play songs by Black Grape in their set.
The Mondays mainman, speaking at the launch of new biography ‘Hallelujah’ in Manchester’s Ampersand private members club, added that with the breakdown of the relationship came the chance that brand new Happy Mondays material may now follow.
“I’m not slagging my brother, he’s my brother and brothers argue right, but him and his girlfriend, they were trying to make things difficult,” he said. “Even if you want to all get together and sit round a table and talk about a possible new album, then him and his girlfriend will turn up and there’s a pile of papers… off the lawyers.
“He’s left now basically because he doesn’t need to tour, he doesn’t need to work or do anything. He’s quite happy driving round in his convertible with his sunglasses on, living the life he’s doing and not having to work.”
Paul Ryder‘s other band, Buffalo 66, made their Manchester debut last Tuesday (July 4) at the Band on the Wall venue. Buffalo 66 also feature Monday’s drummer Gaz Whelan. Shaun was diplomatic about the band.
He said: “I’ve not heard it. I am interested, I hope it does well. But I wouldn’t be surprised if our Paul isn’t in Buffalo 66 much longer.”
Shaun was speaking on the same day that he threatened a journalist with an unloaded gun, as reported yesterday (July 7) on nme.com.
Happy Mondays are due to support Oasis on their forthcoming UK dates, at Bolton Reebok Stadium (July 15-16), London Wembley Stadium (21-22) and Edinburgh Murrayfield Stadium (29). They also headline London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire on July 20.
For tickets to the Oasis shows, go to the nme.com Ticketshop – click here
Or call the NME 24-Hour Ticketline on 0870 1 663 663. Calls are charged at national standard rate.
For tickets to the Shepherd’s Bush show, go to the nme.com Ticketshop – click here
Or call the NME 24-Hour Ticketline on 0870 1 663 663. Calls are charged at national standard rate.