Paul Ryder is the former bass player and a founding member of the Manchester band Happy Mondays.[1] He was an active member of the band from its inception in 1983 through to 2000 and was often credited for giving the band their trademark groove upon which some of their biggest hits were built. His fellow bandmates included his brother Shaun Ryder, Gary Whelan, Mark "Bez" Berry, Paul Davies and Mark Day. It was during his tenure with the band that it had its biggest successes with albums such as Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches which sold more than 350,000 copies in the UK alone.
Although best known for his pivotal role in the Happy Mondays, he has also acted in several films, "The Ghosts of Oxford Street", "Losing it" and gave a critically acclaimed performance in the film about his band, "24 Hour Party People" where he played the part of a gangster.[2] Actor Paul Popplewell played the part of Paul Ryder in the film. He has also appeared in many TV shows both as an actor and music industry pundit and commentator.
He left to pursue other projects including writing music for several TV shows and forming a new and successful band Big Arm who released a critically acclaimed album in 2008 called Radiator. The band supported Ian Brown on a UK tour in 2008. He has also worked as an international DJ playing to large crowds around the world. He is currently living in Los Angeles where he is working as a journalist and continues to write music. He is due to release a new solo album in late 2010.