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The Fanzine Writer - Colin Newell @ shaddersonline.com

Q1, Why do you think The Stone Roses are seen as one of the best British bands of all time?

That's really quite simple, because they were a great band. Not only did they look and sound great they completely redefined music in this country and for the better, without the Roses' paving the way there would be no Oasis among others, their influence is still felt in British music to this day. They had the arrogance, self belief and swagger but the tunes to back it all up, a perfect package.

Q2, Is the debut album, 20 years old this year, a classic, discuss!

Hell yes and what a classic. There isn't many debuts touch the dizzy heights of it. Just to give the measure of the album just look at some of the tracks that AREN'T on it! If you can afford to leave off quality like 'Elephant Stone', 'One Love', 'Mersey Paradise' and perhaps their finest single 'Fools Gold' it just shows just how good it is. The trick of making a great album is to make sure it flows and not just a collection of songs and The Stones Roses seamlessly flows from start to finish.

Q3, What's your favourite track off the album and why?

That's a really difficult call, do you go for 'I wanna be adored', 'She bangs the drums' or perhaps even 'Waterfall'. But in fact we'll go for the finale, all 8 minutes 12 seconds of 'I am the resurrection' which marries everything that is great about the 'Roses including that sublime instrumental finish.

Q4, John Squire's artwork, sublime or overrated?

Fucking sublime man! Have you ever seen an album sleeve better than this? No way, the pollockesque artwork is a masterpiece, even with the lemons and 'Roses name on there 'Bye bye badman' looks stunning. It's equalled, even bettered in my humble opinion by 'Waterfall' on the inside sleeve, based on a part union jack with the pollock paint splatters and stars, just looks great. Anyway if it weren't so good why would have it sold so many T-shirts!

Q5, Have you heard the re-mastered version of the album and is it worth getting if you have?

No I've not heard it, although might have to get a copy as mine original CD has just stuttered through one of the tracks, there again it has been played to death. Wouldn't discourage getting the original as the sound and production is as good as the tunes. Just seen they've tacked on 'Fools Gold' onto the end too which is a mistake, leave it as it is.

Q6, Who is the most talented member of The Stone Roses?

That's really tough and probably not one that can be answered. Just listen to Reni's drums on 'I am the resurrection' it forms the backbone of the tune and would be nothing without it. Then there's Mani's effortless bass grooves, a man so cool he can just walk into Primal Scream and steal the show! Then there's the big hitters. Squire credited with song writing genius and doing things with a guitar that hasn't been seen since Clapton in his early career pomp. But then what about Ian Brown, the archetypal frontman with that unique voice and swagger. Thing is with any legendary band they tend to be a sum of all parts and that's true with the 'Roses, four incredible men equal one sensational band.

Q7, Did you ever see the 'Roses live? If so what was it like and if not would you want to?

No never did. On one hand came awfully close and wish I'd gone for the vibe alone but on the other hand I wouldn't want it to ruin the myth. Seen Ian Brown three times, John Squire four times (twice in Seahorses and twice solo), Mani in Primal Scream and The Complete Stone Roses too for good measure!

Q8, 'Second Coming' was it worth the wait?

Yes and no. Releasing it finally got that five year monkey off their backs and there are some great songs on it but it was doubtfully it could have ever lived up to their debut. It sounds a lot harsher than the debut and doesn't have that same relaxed flow. That said 'Begging You' with it's hard dance groove is a blast and 'Love Spreads' is up there too.

Q9, In your opinion why did the 'Roses split?

Perm any one of hundreds of reasons. Egos, expectation, drugs etc etc.

Q10, What do you think of the bands solo work?

Out of them all we have to go for Ian Brown definitely. Just check out his 'best of' album, what a collection of cracking tunes that is (F.E.A.R. is a beauty of a song). He is lucky in the sense that he is the 'voice' of the 'Roses so they'll always be that connection but he has managed to forge himself a neat solo career. Have seen him a few times and he's still got that something special. When he added some 'Roses songs back into his set I saw ground men crying, it was that good. Squire's solo work was 'mixed' to say the least and it's fair to say he didn't have much of a voice, was better off getting somebody else in on vocals (a la Seahorses). I had the misfortune to see Squire add some 'Roses into his solo set too, the guitars were legendary and then the vocals kicked in and it was 'oh shit what's that!' Have seen some of his artwork kicking around on the internet lately and it's quite impressive so doubt he'll go back into music anytime soon.

Q11, The million dollar question… do you think they will ever get back together?

No but I'd love if they did. Looks like as ever John is still the main sticking point and at the moment he has turned his back on music all together which is a crying shame as he is arguable the best indie guitarist of his generation. I think that the way it all ended shows that it can only work as the 'Roses if all four get back together. The stupid thing is that as time marches on the rumours and sums of cash on offer will only get greater so I'd never say never.

(August 09)

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Fan view - Johnny Tyler

Q1, Why do you think The Stone Roses are seen as one of the best British bands of all time?

Great bands are both of their time and completely timeless. The Roses were both, and they were more than just a band - they were a movement. The music was so good that played live, a Roses concert became like a religious experience! They tapped into something more than just momentary popularity…….they embedded themselves in peoples' psyche forever more.

Q2, Is the debut album, 20 years old this year, a classic, discuss!

The songs are just incredibly strong, and amazing to witness live. The magic is inherent in the melodic ambience they create through a set of ear phones. These tunes will sound fresh in another 20 years.

Q3, What's your favourite track off the album and why?

'Made Of Stone' or 'I Am The Resurrection', simply because of how they make you feel live.

Q4, John Squire's artwork, sublime or overrated?

I'm not qualified to judge.

Q5, Have you heard the re-mastered version of the album and is it worth getting if you have?

No but it was all there the first time so it can't make that much difference!

Q6, Who is the most talented member of The Stone Roses?

They were all equally important to the band and therefore equally talented I suspect.

Q7, Did you ever see the 'Roses live? If so what was it like and if not would you want to?

On the Second Coming tour, and all I can remember is the songs from that album and John Squire's guitar, which was amazing. It didn't matter whether Ian's vocal was dodgy or not! 

Q8, 'Second Coming' was it worth the wait?

At the time I loved that album and would say it was worth the wait, but it hasn't stood the test of time like their first. Still think 'Love Spreads' is up there with their best stuff though!

Q9, In your opinion why did the 'Roses split?

Squire and Brown grew apart, or rather Squire drifted away, possible due to the differing wavelengths of coke and weed! Regardless, Squire didn't want it anymore.

Q10, What do you think of the bands solo work?

Mani joined a great band and they've done some stand up work in his time with them. The Seahorses were nothing to write home about! Ian Brown's solo work has been really strong for the most part - the 1st album was a grower, the 2nd has some classic moments such as 'Golden Gaze' and 'Dolphins were Monkeys'……and his albums have gotten more complete over time, starting with 'Music from the Spheres'. I'm not a fan of the social commentary on 'The World Is Yours' but it has its' moments too. 'Solarized' would be the one I enjoyed the most. He has done it his way, and I've got nothing but admiration for the man. 

Q11, The million dollar question… do you think they will ever get back together?

Brown felt betrayed and deserted at the end, and probably thought he was fucked for a time! Those feelings have stayed strong in him and unless Squire knocks on his door, I can't see the Roses getting back together because now it's Ian Brown who doesn't need them! However, I think he would forgive Squire if he made the first move.

(August 09)

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Fan View - Darren Fawcett

 

Q1, Why do you think The Stone Roses are seen as one of the best British bands of all time?

Right place, right time, right atitiude & the tunes to back it up. They define a particular moment for a generation of music fans Madchester / Baggy / Second Summer of Love.

Q2, Is the debut album, 20 years old this year, a classic, discuss!

Crikey I must have been only 5 then! It's playing as I type this, is a classic, have you got ears?

Q3, What's your favourite track off the album and why?

Resurrection - I still get upset if a DJ cuts short the full length version. Plus to hear it, you have to put the whole album on first!!

Q4, John Squire's artwork, sublime or overrated?

It's a load of Jackson Pollocks! (Although I quite like it myself).

Q5, Have you heard the re-mastered version of the album and is it worth getting if you have?

No & not sure.

Q6, Who is the most talented member of The Stone Roses?

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts! Although Reni & Mani would be good to meet down the boozer!

Q7, Did you ever see the 'Roses live? If so what was it like and if not would you want to?

I was at Reading in 1996, I don't think that the myth / the hype was as big then as it is now. I've read reviews & even seen bits of video that show a colder analysis of the gig. However, I was down the front, I was crushed, I was sweaty & frankly it was an amazing karaoke experience. So Ian Brown couldn't carry a tune in a bucket that day. We were all singing till we were hoarse and grooving like crazed gibbons! 

Q8, 'Second Coming' was it worth the wait?

It's a very good album, however, nothing could have lived up to the expectation that was placed upon it. If it had been released with a different bands name on it, it would be seen as a masterpiece, rather than an also ran. 

Q9, In your opinion why did the 'Roses split?

As I've never met them to ask them personally, I'll have to go with either ... The bus wasn't big enough to fit Brown v Squires ego's on board.  However, being more charitable, how could they carry on, everything they did would always be compared to something that couldn't be equalled. Every artist, always believes that their new stuff is best, so it was too much of a burden for them.

Q10, What do you think of the bands solo work?

I like some of monkey boys singles & I like the Seahorses album, however, see answer #6.

Q11, The million dollar question… do you think they will ever get back together?

If they do, they'll be lambasted for "cashing in" plus the memories are perfect and the new realisation might not be so good. However, there's plenty of people waiting to order tickets.... so, never, say never. Isn't there an old quote from Reni "The Stone Roses won't reform until after Man City win the European Cup", well now they're the richest club in the world, that day could be nearer than ever....

(August 09)

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So you wanna have a go? Well here's the questions, if you wanna join in mail your answers to us at mail@shaddersonline.com Simple as that!

Q1, Why do you think The Stone Roses are seen as one of the best British bands of all time?

Q2, Is the debut album, 20 years old this year, a classic, discuss!

Q3, What's your favourite track off the album and why?

Q4, John Squire's artwork, sublime or overrated?

Q5, Have you heard the re-mastered version of the album and is it worth getting if you have?

Q6, Who is the most talented member of The Stone Roses?

Q7, Did you ever see the 'Roses live? If so what was it like and if not would you want to?

Q8, 'Second Coming' was it worth the wait?

Q9, In your opinion why did the 'Roses split?

Q10, What do you think of the bands solo work?

Q11, The million dollar question… do you think they will ever get back together?