Madchester, Rave & New Rave Part I: Madchester
Madchester was a music scene that developed in Manchester, England, in the late 80s and early 90s. The term comes from combining “mad” with the city name. It was a mix of Indie Rock, Psychedelic Rock, and Dance. The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, James, The Charlatans, Inspiral Carpets, 808 State, and many others, are among the bands that formed part of this movement.
This article doesn’t aim to explain that story but to bring some of the music they released, including its evolution to other genres over the years, such as Rave and New Rave. This is a music journey for you to listen to their sounds and voices.
Part I: Madchester
The Stone Roses
Formed in 1983 by Ian Brown, John Squire, Mani (Gary Mounfield), and Reni (Alan Wren). The band published 17 singles but only two studio albums, The Stone Roses (1989), and Second Coming (1994).
Recommended songs: So Young/Tell Me (12″, 1985), Sally Cinnamon (May 1987), Elephant Stone (Oct 1988), Made of Stone (Feb 1989), She Bangs the Drums (Jul 1989), Fools Gold/What the World is Waiting For (Nov 1989), One Love (Jun 1990).
Stream The Stone Roses’ Live at Glasgow Green, the Big Top on 9th June, 1990.
Watch The Stone Roses’ live in Blackpool, 12 August 1989.
Happy Mondays
The band from Salford Happy Mondays represents the extension of the movement. Madchester was not limited to a city. It included all Greater Manchester bands influenced by an underground and broad scene playing, dancing, and evolving at The Haçienda or The Boardwalk.
Happy Mondays was formed in 1980 with brothers Shaun Ryder (vocals) and Paul Ryder (bass), joined by Gaz Whelan (drums), Mark Day (guitar), and Paul Davis (keyboard). Bez and his maracas joined them soon, bringing his unique personality to the group. Since 1987, the band has published five studio albums.
Recommended songs: Wrote for Luck (Oct 1988), Bummed (Nov 1988), WFL (Vince Clarke Remix) (Nov 1989), Rave On (Nov 1989), Step On (Mar 1990), Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches (Abr 1990), Kinky Afro (May 1990), Yes Please! (Nov 1992).
Stream Freaky Dancin’ by the Happy Mondays, taken from the Peel Session recorded on 1st April 1986.
JAMES
In the south-west of the city center of Manchester, in Whalley Range, JAMES emerged from jam sessions in 1982. Paul Gilbertson, Jim Glennie, and Gavan Whelan, the founder members at that time, supported The Fall without having a lead singer, until Tim Booth finally joined the group.
The band is still active and has published 12 studio albums, mostly every two years, since they left a name in the 90’s Madchester scene. 
Recommended songs: Sit Down (Jun 1989), Come Home (Nov 1989, Flood mix, Jun 1990), Sit Down (re-recording, Mar 1991), Sound (Nov 1991), Sometimes (Aug 1993), She’s a Star (Feb 1997).
James – Sometimes (1993)
James – She’s A Star (1997)
The Charlatans in their fourth studio album cover. Credit: Tom Sheehan.
The Charlatans
Martin Blunt, Rob Collins, Jon Brookes, Jon Day, and Baz Ketley, later replaced by Tim Burgess, formed the band called The Charlatans in Birmingham, forming part of the music undergrounds of the West Midlands in 1988 when the acid house scene then irrupted. The Charlatans relocated to Northwich with Tim Burgess, before opening for The Stone Roses and becoming part of the Madchester movement.
Recommended songs: Indian Rope (Feb 1990), The Only One I Know (May 1990), One to Another (1993), Tellin Stories (1997).
The Charlatans – Tellin Stories (1997)
Inspiral Carpets
Previously known as The Furs, Graham Lambert and Stephen Holt formed Inspiral Carpets in Oldham in 1983. Tony Welsh and Chris Goodwin joined them later. After Goodwin, the band had a no-end list of drummers, starting with 14-year-old Craig Hill. Inspiral Carpets released five studio albums, 8 EP’s, and around 20 singles in 14 years, and they are still active.
Recommended songs: Joe (May 1989), Find Out Why (Aug 1989), Move (Nov 1989), This Is How It Feels (May 1990), I Want You (feat. Mark E. Smith, Mar 1994).
Inspiral Carpets – This Is How It Feels (1990)
Inspiral Carpets – I Want You (ft. Mark E. Smith, 1994)
808 State
The electronic vibes of 808 State emerged with acid house movement in 1987. Martin Price, Graham Massey and Gerald Simpson, later, DJs andy Barker and Darren Partington (The Spinmasters) joined the project, releasing their work at Price record label. 808 State published 7 studio album and the project is still active.
Recommended songs: Let Yourself Go/Deepville (Nov 1988), Pacific 707 (Nov 1989), Cübik/Olympic (Oct 1990), In Yer Face (Feb 1991).
808 State – In Yer Face (1991)
Madchester by Frankie Roberto.
Madchester, the long list
The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, The Charlatans, Inspiral Carpets, James, 808 State, The Soup Dragons (Glasgow), Northside, The Mock Turtles, The Railway Children, The High, World of Twist, Paris Angels, The Milltown Brothers, The Farm (Liverpool), Sub Sub, Intastella, New Fast Automatic Daffodils, A Guy Called Gerald, The Real People (Liverpool), Flowered Up (London), The Bridewell Taxis (Leeds)
… and many other names.
Continue Reading: Part II, Rave & New Rave
