So The Stone Roses are on. The band announced yesterday that they’d do a couple of gigs in Manchester and then an ‘extensive’ World Tour. I hope this includes the Pav Tav in Brighton. The rumours have been circulating ever since the band split up and it seemed Ian Brown and John Squire were the most resistant to the reunion. Brown has carved quite a solo career out for himself and Squire has been focused on his art (don’t they just splash a bit of paint around?).
But how do I feel about this? I have to say I’ve always been resistant to any band reunion. I’m always suspicious as to the reasons why and I if I genuinely love the band, as I do The Stone Roses, I really don’t want to see them fail. It’s part nostalgia, part feeling protective of the band itself, the former always being more romantic, albeit through rose tinted glasses (as I believe Ian Brown wore back in the day).
However, despite this, I have to say, I was mildly excited when the news started filtering through twitter over the weekend. And when the press conference was confirmed and they actually turned up, as the original four-piece, I just wanted them to do it and do it well. Before I knew it I was listening to their stunning debut album (still my favourite album of all time) and texting my friends from the ‘baggy years’ to urge them to buy a ticket come Friday.
The Great Baggy Love-In
They were never a great live band but when they were on it, they were hard to beat. It was always more about the swagger and the times and the Roses arrived at a time when dance and indie got in to bed and made sweet and sweaty love. I don’t do regrets but a time when I came very close to the ‘r’ word was failing to buy a ticket to see them live in Sydney, back in 1993. They were literally playing across the road but I was too busy pretending to be Ian Brown to buy a ticket. (these were the’ partying years’ and had the haircut to match).
I think the fact that they’ve had millions sitting on the table ready for this day makes me less suspicious. They’ve obviously chose their moment carefully (though the money will always be a factor) and they are writing music again, which makes me think, perhaps they really are up for this.
The likes of Pulp, Blur and even Led Zeppelin have proved that it’s ok to do this and that these bands are still loved the world over. The game plan has changed and the music industry is a very different place but if it means that these bands get another crack at a new audience, whilst making me feel young again, then why the hell not?
As for Steps, well, that’s another story.