I can't think of odder music news of late than a story that appeared in The Guardian some weeks ago regarding Easter plans in Manchester...

"The BBC plans to mark the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ this Easter with an hour-long live procession through the streets of Manchester featuring pop stars from The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays and featuring songs by The Smiths and New Order.

In the programme, called Manchester Passion, a character representing Jesus will sing the legendary Joy Division anthem Love Will Tear Us Apart before dueting his arch-betrayer Judas on the New Order hit Blue Monday, according to senior church sources involved in the production.
..."

No, I am not making this up. The Guardian is not playing a practical joke on the interweb. I'm not sure I could make up a story this bizarre. The Church of England, BBC and Bez celebrating Easter in the street of Manchester with an actor dressed up as Jesus singing "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now." Uhhhhh....

SHAUN RYDER has secretly finished a solo record in Australia, that should be seeing the light of day shortly...

A bit of a cheery update on the future of the HAPPY MONDAYS. As we reported yesterday, the band's set at last weekend's Glastonbury Festival was a bit tumultuous, and ended with frontman Shaun Ryder storming off-stage not once, but twice. Many news reports came out yesterday claiming that the recently reformed band was about to split due to internal strife. Well, Excellent Online can officially reveal that this is NOT the case.

A few tidbits from this weekend's Glastonbury Festival: Excellent Online's scouts in the crowd tell us that the HAPPY MONDAYS set this weekend descended into chaos. Early interviews with Bez showed the less-than-straight vibes-man staggering around and slurring words.

In true old school fashion, Shaun Ryder told the NME today that there will be no further HAPPY MONDAYS releases, citing his hatred for the rest of the band. The reformed Mondays, who co-headline next weekend's Glastonbury Festival, were previously thought to be working on an album of all-new material, but according to Ryder, this is not to be.

Happy Mondays vibemaster BEZ (born Mark Berry) is now recovering from a motorcycle accident. He landed in intensive care with a punctured lung and broken ribs according to the weekly column written by Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder.

HAPPY MONDAYS in UK movie trailers? That seems to be the case since they have signed on with the sportswear firm, Admiral, NME reports. They will be in two ads which will be in theaters over the next few months. Who said the baggy scene is dead?

Reni (ex-STONE ROSES drummer) is back in the spotlight, NME reports. He's been writing material since he left the band in 1995 and is seeking a record deal. He's on vocals and playing guitar, Lee Mullen (HAPPY MONDAYS) is on drums, and is looking for a bassist and second guitarist.

The Summer of '99 may end up remembered as a year of reunions. The tax-bill inspired HAPPY MONDAYS reunion tour has sold out and even added extra dates. Most of the original lineup is back in place, including, most importantly, Bez. Meanwhile, the tantalizing STONE ROSES reunion rumors continue to rumble. Where is Burnweed with all those pre-millenium insights when you need him? [Editor's Note: He's already appeared!

Get those baggy trousers out of the mothballs, because the HAPPY MONDAYS are reforming!!!! Shaun Ryder has announced his intentions of putting the band back together for a 1999 tour. Just exactly WHO will be in this new incarnation of the Mondays has yet to be decided, but Ryder has made it clear that he's in the market for a new lead guitarist and a new keyboard player. As for Bez...?