Happy Mondays – The Peel Sessions 1986/1989 (12-Inch Album)

This anthology brings together two raucous live sessions recorded by the Happy Mondays for the BBC’s John Peel Sessions, during 1986 and 1989 respectively.

Before they were the kings of Madchester, the Happy Mondays were a raw, chaotic, and terrifyingly force of nature. This collection of live performances captures the band in their purest, pre-stardom form.

Featuring classics from their Squirrel and G-Man and Bummed eras, these recordings highlight Shaun Ryder’s slurred, poetic genius, Paul Ryder’s deep funk basslines, and a band that sounded like a ‘blacked-out nightclub’ – untrained, vulgar, and brilliant.

From the frenetic energy of early gigs to the developing groove that anticipated the rave explosion, this is the definitive, unpolished sound of Salford’s finest tearing up the rulebook.

Track Listing

Side One *

1. Kuff Dam (4:14)
2. Freaky Dancin’ (4:20)
3. Olive Oil (3:20)
4. Cob 20 (5:15)

Side Two **

1. Tart Tart (4:35)
2. Mad Cyril (3:50)
3. Do It Better (2:55)

* John Peel Sessions, Recorded at BBC Maida Vale Studio 4 on 1 April 1986

** John Peel Sessions, Recorded on 21 February 1989

Format: Vinyl / 12” Album

Label: Room On Fire

Catalogue No: ROOM197

Barcode: 0729859422152

Release Date: 19 Dec 2025