NME - News




NME 21st/28th December 1996 Issue



THE SEAHORSES
Two Seahorse town

SEAHORSES, John Squire's new band, have been asked to change their name. The former Stone Roses guitarist originally called the band The Seahorses, but after reading in NME that the name was an anagram of 'He Hates Roses' decided to drop the 'the'.

Now a Liverpool-based four-piece band are pleading with him not to use the name because, they claim, they've been using it since 1987.

Richard Veal, 27, founder and singer/songwriter of Sea Horses, told NME he was appealing to Squire as an artist to change the name of his band. Veal said: "We've been around for almost ten years, we've recorded four albums and various other works under this name. I've invested too much in it to just be steamrollered by somebody because he's more famous and has an enormous record company (Geffen) behind him."

Veal added that the band had been based in Manchester around 1989 when the Roses hit fame and had also played Glastonbury four times. Most recently, they wrote the music for a computer animation video installation and recorded an LP, 'The Poet's Heart', which is pending release.

He said: "I'm not being accusatory. It could be a genuine mistake on John Squire's part. We do, however, request that he ceases using the name and that we resolve the matter as soon as possible."

Mandala Records, Sea Horses' label, told the NME they hoped an amicable conclusion could be reached.

John Squire's press office made no comment on the matter as NME went to press.

Seahorses played their second gig on Saturday, December 7, in Greenock on the Clyde Coast. They are likely to play several more unannounced small UK dates before Christmas.






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