Thursday 24th October 2013 by Hywel Roberts | Photos by WENN.com

Tags: The Happy Mondays

Shaun Ryder claims his hell-raising days are behind him, revealing that this has helped him to enjoy playing with band The Happy Monday more than any other stage in his career.

As unlikely as it sounds, he says that now he likes nothing more than to go back to his home and watch some Saturday night television with the family. However not every member of the band has the same approach to middle-age.

Talking to Gigwise, he said he'd finally found the formula for happiness, saying that it's "More fun now than ever."

"No sex, no drugs just rock and roll," he tells us. "I wish I'd worked it out 25 years ago that it was as simple as going out, playing shows and fucking off home. There's no hassle now". Asked if he had any advice for young artists tempted by the trappings of fame, he replied "me giving advice to young musicians? Who'd want to listen to me? Just be yourself, listen to yourself, take it easy".

Talking of his and Bez's recent appearance at the Q Awards, he said "I was only there for an hour. I had to leave and do press. Bez hasn't changed though. He still wants to stay there and get pissed until they throw him out".

They were there to collect a classic album award for Bummed. He added that musicians doing things to excess was nothing new, stating: "Drugs in music, that stuff's been happening since, what's his name, Mozart"

The Happy Mondays play the Forum on 22nd November to commemorate 25 years since the release of Bummed.

Below: The Happy Mondays reunion, a brief history