Member Since: 9/15/2006
Band Website: bigarm.co.uk
Band Members:
PAUL RYDER - vocals & bass
PETE SMITH - programming & keyboards
DANNY SHORT - drums & vocals
DAZ GILKINSON - guitars & vocals
LEA MULLEN - percussion
“Big Arm Is Betterâ€
They said he wouldn’t. They said he couldn’t. But he has and he did and it’s better than anyone thought possible.
Just how does an iconic bass legend reinvent himself as a front man after lurking in the shadows behind his outspoken brother for 20 years? Who knows? Who cares? But one thing’s for sure – he’s pulled it off, he can’t be stopped and that’s all that matters.
Step forward Paul Ryder, founding member of the legendary Happy Mondays, instrumental co-creator of the sound that changed the face of a generation, iconic bassist and co-writer of 8 top ten hit singles and 4 top ten albums. He’s back with the single most exciting project of 2007 – Big Arm. The fever has already taken hold. The band’s first single was described by veteran xfm DJ Clint Boon as “The best debut single I have ever heardâ€. Mani from the Stone Roses describes them as “Simply Stunning†and icons such as Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook and Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown have been spotted at their recent low-key showcases. So impressed was Brown that he instantly signed them up as his support band in a series of upcoming arena shows.
Ryder’s vocals underpin the dynamic and iconic groove that is Big Arm’s own. In a positively cataclysmic shift from the dark annals of Mondays twisted delerium, the Big Arm sound is groove-ful, funked-up, upbeat, optimistic and immediate.
Old Skool Mondays fans will not be disappointed and Northern Soul fans will get on the groove in this hybrid fusion of f**ked-up fatness and souled-up chill.
Paul is joined by fellow Big Arm founder and legendary techno guru Pete Smith, aka DJ Blue, mastermind of Manchester hip hop outfit P Love and Blue, who has written with Moloko’s Roisin Murphy and collaborated with St. Etienne, ACR, Mike Joyce, Lamb and Icelandic groovesters Gus Gus.
Manchester luminary Daz Gilkinson adds slick guitar riffs to the Big Arm sound while drummer Danny Short keeps the beat and his ass on the seat whilst delivering backing vocals.
Lea Mullen, former Happy Mondays percussionist completes the rhythm section.
Production on the debut album was by Manchester’s most wanted Producer, Martin Hannett protege and Moby’s favourite, John Pennington.
Their unique blend of infectious melodies, funked-up rhythm and trip hop tunes has already begun to infiltrate.
Some things are just meant to be.
Be warned. Big Arm. It’s large, and getting larger. Get it before it’s too big.
“Paranoid punk-funk…packs quite a punch…glad he made it back aliveâ€
Uncut Magazine
The band’s debut single 'Flashbacks' is out now.
The second single 'Sunrays' was also released on September 24th.
The album 'Radiator' is released on November 5th.
Influences: Big Arm Have been influenced by:
Mowtown
Funkadelic
Hip Hop
The Ramones
Kool & The Gang
James Brown
The Sex Pistols
Thin Lizzy.
Northen Soul
Stax
Sounds Like:
YouTube Video Resizer
When Northern Soul came to Manchester
Record Label: Turn on Tunes
Type of Label: Indie