Stephen Hanley (born 29 May 1959) is an Irish-born English musician who grew up in and lives in Manchester.
He was the bass guitarist in the Fall from 1979 to 1998, and his distinctive and muscular basslines were a signature part of their sound, often carrying the songs' instrumental melodies.
He is currently a member of Brix & the Extricated with guitarist and vocalist Brix Smith Start.Hanley was a foundational Fall member, second only to Mark E.
Smith in longevity in the band.
With Peter Hook, Andy Rourke and Gary Mounfield, he is widely considered one of the pre-eminent bassists of his generation.
He has always been very private and rarely interviewed; for this reason his 2014 autobiography The Big Midweek: Life Inside The Fall was highly anticipated, and was met with widespread acclaim for its frank honesty and dry, no nonsense humour.