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Joyrider, a rock group from Portadown, Northern Ireland, formed in the early 1990s with Phil Woolsey on guitar and vocals, Cliff Mitchell on guitar, Simon Haddock on bass, and Keith Irwin, Buc Hamill or Carl Alty on drums, drawing on the region’s vibrant alternative scene. The band’s first releases were the EPs Dweeb King (1994) and Getting That Joke Now (1994), which secured local attention and led to a contract with Andy Cairns’ Blunt record label; a subsequent deal with Paradox Records followed after the release of two additional EPs, Seven Sisters (1995) and It Moved (1995). Their breakthrough single, a cover of Jane Wiedlin’s "Rush Hour", entered the UK Singles Chart at number 22 in July 1996, while the follow‑up single "All Gone Away" peaked at number 54 in September 1996. The band’s sole studio album, Be Special, was issued on 29 August 1996, consolidating their presence in the UK alternative rock scene. Joyrider supported Terrorvision on a 1995 UK tour and performed at Aberystwyth University’s May Ball the same month; after a brief period of touring and promotion, the group disbanded later that year, with members subsequently joining acts such as Ninebar International, Roque Junior, and Papa Luna.
