Various members of some of the most influential British bands of the last 30 years – including Happy Mondays, The Who, and Oasis – have joined forces to form a new supergroup, described as “a dubby, electronic, 21st century Hawkwind of a band destined to be experienced through epic live performances” in a press release.
Mantra Of The Cosmos is made up of Happy Mondays members Shaun Ryder and Bez, Oasis and The Who drummer Zak Starkey, Ride’s Andy Bell; debut single Gorilla Guerilla, which is out now, has been described by Starkey as “a fantastic psychedelic groove from a band of misfits, outsiders and innovators”.
To accompany their first musical outing, the group have also released a vibrant and colourful music video, directed by Ryder’s son Olli. The band first debuted Gorilla Guerilla at an intimate show in famous cabaret club The Box, Soho, performing a raucous set for fans to celebrate the release.
The idea to form the band initially came from The Who’s Zak Starkey, who plays percussion alongside Bez. Guitarist Andy Bell said of the new project: “It’s a pleasure to be part of Mantra of the Cosmos. Four like-minded souls who get off on the same music.”
While each member is inevitably associated with the classic output of their other bands, the group insists their new material doesn’t sound like anything they have released before.
Vocalist Ryder previously explained: “It doesn’t sound like the Mondays or Black Grape or Oasis or The Who; it’s what we’re doing all together”. He added that an album is also in the works.
Ryder first rose to fame as the lead singer of Madchester-affiliated band Happy Mondays, which also included Bez as the group’s dancer. The pair have enjoyed a long and storied history, which also saw them join forces to form electronic rock outfit Black Grape in 1993.
Zak Starkey has famously followed in the footsteps of his father, The Beatles legend Ringo Starr. As well as drumming for Mod culture pioneers The Who, and has also toured with Nineties rockers Oasis. Andy Bell was also part of Oasis for a time, joining the group in 1999 following his work with groups Ride and Hurricane #1.
The band are set to perform their new material on a larger scale this month, and will headline The Glade area at Glastonbury at 8.20pm on Sunday June 25.
In closely related news, Happy Mondays will also perform a series of shows across the UK, including Sheffield’s Rock N Roll Circus 2023, taking place at Don Valley Bowl. They’re sharing a bill with both Noel Gallagher and The Cribs.
