Northside

From the north Manchester suburbs of Blackley and Moston, Northside were an integral part of the Manchester early nineties soundtrack. Signed to Factory Records by its founder Tony Wilson, the band were the bridge between the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays, fusing psychedelic rock with Acid House. Northside formed in early 1989 by Warren ‘Dermo’ Dermody and bassist Cliff Ogier, soon joined by drummer Paul Walsh and guitarist Michael Upton before Tim Walsh took over on guitar just before the release of their June 1990 debut single ‘Shall We Take A Trip?’’. The track made the 50 despite being banned by the BBC and many record stores for its drug references. Northside’s second single ‘My Rising Star’ followed in October 1990, charting at No.32. Their gigs were selling out and a second album was being demoed, with a release date. The high expectations for the new album were dashed when Factory collapsed in autumn 1992. This left Northside and other recent signings victims of the bankruptcy, and the band split up. Tragically, guitarist Tim Walsh died in 2019, but in 2025 the three remaining original members Dermo, Cliff and Wol with new guitarist Rob, sold out the Let’s Take Another Trip Tour. Their creative energy has seen Northside working on a new album. “We can't wait for everyone to hear it,” says Dermo. “We genuinely feel like, for everyone who's heard the band, there's so many that haven't yet. We've saved the best ‘til last and you're not going to be disappointed.”