Corporate Communications
Press Release
15 June 2005
Bez to Headline Bradford's Summer Beach Party
The Happy Mondays' freaky dancer and winner of Celebrity Big Brother, Bez, will be headlining the University of Bradford's second annual summer Beach Party.
The party, which is organised by the University's Students' Union to celebrate the end of exams, will be taking place from 12pm until 8pm on Friday 17 June 2005 in the amphitheatre on the main campus of the University.
Forty tonnes of sand and palm trees will be imported especially for the free party - which is open to the public.
From 3pm, Mondays' maracas-shaker Bez will do a 1-2 hour DJ set and will also be performing a 30-minute set with his new band Domino Bones. Happy Mondays' and Black Grape front man Shaun Ryder may also make a guest appearance.
Bradford Students' Union Communications Officer, Sarah Cartin, said: "We are very excited about our second Beach Party and all the activities taking place. We wanted to provide an end of term event that appeals to all students and ensures a brilliant end of year send off."
As well as the live music, the Beach Party will feature a BBQ, bars, bouncy castle, sumo suit wrestling and many other festivities to mark the end of the academic year.
For more information on the Beach Party contact the University of Bradford Students' Union on 01274 233 300 or visit www.ubuonline.co.uk
Photo Opportunity
You are invited to send a photographer/crew to the amphitheatre on the main campus of the University of Bradford for the Beach Party. The amphitheatre is situated between the J B Priestley Library and the Theatre in the Mill. Access and parking are easiest off Longside Lane.
Please bring appropriate accreditation and register any request to park on site before the day by contacting the University's Press Office (see below).
Notes to Editors
Bez - the story so far
Born in Salford and christened Mark Berry, he grew up in an era with no real prospects on the horizon, took to the streets with similar like minded kids, was thrown out of the family home by his father. Then, travelled the world, stayed in a Moroccan cave, returned to Manchester and found himself living in a fully furnished shed.
Bez met Shaun Ryder, an inspired poet otherwise known as 'X', was invited on stage to shake his maracas at the infamous Hacienda and together they created the 80s Madchester scene.
Since then, The Happy Mondays split and reformed several times, Bez put his mind to writing a book, appearing on TV and guesting on Radio channels, involving himself in charity gigs and DJing across the country. In addition to this, he has been putting a lot of effort and time into new band project 'Domino Bones'.
Bez's iconic status and popularity were confirmed when he won the nation's vote, taking the Celebrity Big Brother title of 2005.
Domino Bones
Domino Bones is fronted by Bez and his girlfriend - Glasgow-born singer/songwriter Monica Ward and includes 'Wags' (the guitarist from the Happy Mondays and Black Grape). This new concept was conceived around 1998 and inspired by the late Joe Strummer and encouraged by good friend and neighbour, Shaun Ryder.
Ryder guests on a few tracks but Bez was mostly behind the concept, melodies and song writing, proving he is more than a 'freaky dancer'.
Domino Bones influences stem from all eras, taking in all musical genres, with each of the band's members adding a unique flavour to the pot.
The finished sound is a soul/funk/punk fusion that has been described roughly as the Happy Mondays meets the Clash.
For BEZ press, radio, TV & gig enquiries/more info on Domino Bones, please call Rosalia at Ferrara PR on 07946 5623 007, alternatively email Rosalia@ferrarapr.com
16 June 2005