Select August 1996 Issue



John who?


Pigs fly! Squireless Stone Roses in concerted activity shocker!

Cripes! There may only be two of the original members left, but the Stone Roses' third album could be out by autumn. The rump of the Roses - Ian Brown, Mani, drummer Robbie Maddix and new-ish keyboard fella Nigel Ipinson - began writing new songs prior to John Squire jumping ship on 2 March, and they've told their agent, Nigel Kerr (who's worked with them since 1989) that they plan to start recording later this summer - with a view to sticking an LP out soon after. And there's more: the big rock moves of 'The Second Coming' have reputedly been sacked in favour of a poppier approach that harks back to their debut, and Squire has been replaced - but, according to Kerr, the band aren't ready to name the new member just yet.

Undeterred by the creeping feeling that they're not the real deal, the New Model Roses also headline Reading on Sunday 25th August, where they're expected to debut new material. The band are currently rehearsing in Southport in preparation for the first time they've played a major British festival - last year's Glasto slot having been scuppered by Squire breaking his collarbone in that bizarre Mountain Biking Mishap.

Neal Pengelly, the booking agent for Reading, has been talking to Kerr and the band about appearing at the festival for two years. He insists he's undeterred by Squire's departure and firmly believes that the band are still worth a headline slot. Kerr, meanwhile, reckons the Reading annoucement" gave them something to focus on and get over the temporary down feeling they had just after John announced he was leaving. I feel totally confident the public won't be short changed. The band are more determined than ever."

As always, there's plenty of rumour and speculation shrouding the Roses camp. Sources in Manchester suggest the band are involved in a tug of love for the skin-thumping services of Reni, battling off the advances of - gasp! - John Squire, busy putting his own band together. Meanwhile, Reni is alleged to still be unhappy over the lack of proper renumeration for his tour of duty in the Roses. Daftest rumour of all though, rivalling the one about hiring a fleet of Ford Fiestas during the making of 'The Second Coming', is that Squire's replacement is... Kelly Johnson, former member of all-girl heavy metal jokers Girlschool!

At present, the Roses are still managerless, while long-standing fixer Steve Adge departed around the same time as Squire. For once, such rudderlesness doesn't seem to have affected their work-rate: the work-shy mystics of yore are now reportedly big grafters. "There's nothing like the prospects of not having a regular income to focus your mind," says Kerr. "As you get older, you have more responsibilities - kids, mortgages, whatever. It's amazing what you can do when you have to."

No member of the Stone Roses was available for comment.

GARETH GRUNDY