Happy Mondays are an alternative rock band formed in Salford, Greater Manchester, UK in 1985. The band is fronted by Shaun Ryder, who formed the band with his brother Paul Ryder, who played bass. The rest of the band consists of their friend Bez, who danced and played percussion, plus guitarist Mark Day, keyboardist Paul Davis, and drummer Gary Whelan. The band's name is the phrase used by the unemployed in Manchester to refer to Mondays, the day of the week when welfare checks were handed out.