Record Mirror 9th April 1988 Issue THE STONE ROSES INTERNATIONAL, MANCHESTER The Stone Roses are a funny bunch indeed. Tucked away behind their natty fringes and paisley shirts, they, at first, appear to be the archetypal twee indie pop band. Phenomenally successful here in their home town, yet unable to 'do the business' elsewhere. But, not for long I fear, for with their new single 'Elephant Stone' waiting to be unleased on an unsuspecting British public, all they need to do now is sit back and wait for it to happen; and happen it will. The Stone Roses are, without a doubt, the thorniest band in Manchester. Sure, they aren't without their musical reference points, the Smiths being one comparison, but as soon as the band sink their claws into a song the resulting concoction belongs to the Stoney ones alone. Opening with 'Sally Cinnamon', the Roses instantly reek of confidence and style, with John Squire showing out with some dextrous guitar work and ex-scooter boy vocalist Ian Brown floundering around the stage, arms splayed one moment, and bopping some heckling gobshite on the nose the next. All confusing but highly commendable stuff! The Stone Roses are set to move, and presuming they can avoid the pit-falls suffered by other bands of their ilk - the (not-so) Mighty Lemon Drops et al - they'll soon be playing to full houses the length and breadth of the country ... Or I'll eat my fringe! Tommy Stigwood