Cultural icons Happy Mondays have announced the release of a new charity EP, Tart Tart has dropped in memory of the late musician Paul Ryder. The 58-year-old artist is best known as Happy Mondays’ bassist and founding member; Ryder formed the group at the start of the 1980s with his elder brother Shaun Ryder. Ryder’s tragic passing was confirmed earlier this month; he had died just hours before the band were scheduled to perform at the Sunderland event Kubix Festival on 15th July 2022.
“This special release of Tart Tart showcases the unique musical talent of our brother Paul Ryder who passed from this world … we will all miss you Horse…he brought the funk and the rock n roll to Happy Mondays … love you long time R Kid.” https://t.co/h1tXfH4Gq4 pic.twitter.com/aVvT33wOJq
— Happy Mondays (@Happy_Mondays) July 28, 2022
The band released an official statement concerning Ryder’s tragic passing via social media; the moving message stated, “The Ryder family and Happy Mondays band members are deeply saddened and shocked to say that Paul Ryder passed away this morning. A true pioneer and legend. He will be forever missed. Long live his funk.
The newly released EP has been released in Ryder’s memory and contains three previously unreleased versions of “Tart Tart“. The track first appeared within the group’s debut album Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out) and was released in 1987 via Factory Records. The album served as a catalyst to the group’s success and placed the band at the centre of Manchester’s blossoming music scene. “Tart Tart” was released in March 1987 and was the first single released from the album; the 12-inch release also included the B-side “Little Matchstick Owen’s Rap“.
Speaking on the release, Shaun Ryder has given the following statement, “This special release of Tart Tart showcases the unique musical talent of our brother Paul Ryder who passed from this world … we will all miss you Horse…he brought the funk and the rock n roll to Happy Mondays … love you long time R kid.“
The EP’s live renditions of “Treat Treat” are available across all major streaming platforms. The newly release EP includes a recording from 1989 of a John Peel Session on BBC Radio 1 and a recording from the same year at a concert at Sheffield University. The group have also announced the pre-sale opening for a 7-inch version of the release; click here to pre-order.
Profits incurred from the digital release of the EP will be given to the charity Music Cares, the cause was chosen by Paul Ryder’s daughter Amelia. In a statement, she described the importance of the non-profit organisation, “Music Cares is a charity that helps people in the music industry who are struggling with addiction issues. 14 years ago, Paul was given help and support from the organisation that helped fund extended outpatient care and therapy that enabled him to have 14 subsequent happy and productive years. Just two weeks ago he mentioned them in an interview and often expressed his gratitude and desire to pay their support forward so others could be helped too.“
Click here to listen to the digital release of Treat Treat.
