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Don't ask me
why I am writing about music on a Sunday League website, because I don't know
either. And yes, I do know it is self indulgent bollocks, on an otherwise
irreverent website! In this column I am hoping to spring a few memories for a
couple of you, maybe open up a few avenues for others.
I would be made up to receive any comments you have, any suggestions you have,
or indeed any bits and pieces you feel like writing for the page, all items will
be credited to the individual. A few years ago I ran a message board called The
Sealand Ender. The music part for me was the best part
of the board, and the bit I miss most. For me it is the best bit of the ISA FC
board. There are plenty of outlets for
the football stuff, this is like a surrogate music bit!
In this, the first episode, I want to start with THE band of my adolescence, The
Stone Roses...
People often talk of 'defining moments'. How they remember Kennedy being shot.
Or where they were when they heard that Elvis Presley had died, or John Lennon.
My 'defining moments' are two. Graham Lancashire's goal against Preston at home
the year we were promoted, and hearing 'Made of Stone' at a school disco in the
United Services Club in town. I'll never forget it. Glass of orange juice spiked
with the ubiquitous carry out half bottle of Vodka from the serve anyone offie
in Brook Lane, talking bollocks as a semi-bladdered fifteen year old tends to, and
suddenly, smack!
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From the opening chords, through the searing, beautiful chorus, it was then, and
probably still is, the most perfect piece of music I had ever heard. As the dj put on the next record (the also
truly wonderful Pixies 'Monkey Gone to
Heaven') I scrambled across speakers and flashing lights to ask him who it was. He showed me the glorious seven inch sleeve, with it's Jackson Pollock-alike
painting sleeve in blue, white and black. 'The Stone Roses' it said in bold black
capitals. He played again it later as requested. That was it for me. Hook. Line.
Sinker. |
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I went out on the Monday after school, and bought both 'Elephant Stone' and
'Made of Stone' from Penny Lane on seven inch vinyl. When the album came out I
was gobsmacked. Everything from the sleeve, to the drop dead cool band picture inside and the
wonderful music was perfect. Tee-shirts were purchased, gigs attended, bootlegs
taped. This band thought they were the greatest in the world, and with the surly
attitude and the unparalleled arrogance, we knew they were. This went on as I
left school to work, through 'She Bangs the Drum', 'Fools Gold', 'One Love' and
Spike Island. Then they vanished. For five years.
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There had been rumours of a new album for three years. We had moved on, got
bored of waiting. Then it happened again, totally without warning. Driving home
from Birmingham one night after work, Radio One played 'Love Spreads'. Christ on
a bike. The Roses had grown up with us. As me and my mates had gotten older, and
into more varied, harder stuff (Led Zep, the Doors, Hendrix), so it seemed had the Roses. The Second Coming
album took a bit of getting used to, but by God was it worth it. 'Tears' and
'Good Times' being peerless, the album was outstanding and like a good wine, gets
better with age. |
It all went wrong after that. Seeing them at the Royal Court in
Liverpool seemed like a goodbye. Reni had left, and although the drummer (Rob
Maddix) was great, and the gig was great, he wasn't Reni if you know what I mean.
Although John Squire left and formed the Seahorses, and Ian Brown eventually
knocked it on the head and went solo, Mani went on to make the better records
with Primal Scream. Long may he continue. Reni has his own band, but it never really
bothers me. The Roses finished with the Second Coming
for me. They left us two of the best albums of all time, some of the best songs,
and one or two of the best moments in rock history. They truly burnt out, never
faded away. Noel Gallagher said that he considered himself 'lucky to be 15 or 16
when the Roses and the Mondays were bang on'. Enough said. They were the soundtrack of
our generation.
NWAS May '03
Try to track down -
Albums - The Stone Roses, The Second Coming
Tracks - Made of Stone, Standing Here, Tears, Good Times
Links - www.thestoneroses.co.uk
Elephant
Stoned
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OTHER BITS
Dr.
Feelgood,
purveyors of fine R&B, and a top night out, play at Alexanders on May 19th.
For anyone that doesn't know about the Feelgoods (obviously minus the late,
great Lee Brilleaux), check out www.drfeelgood.org
for more info. For more information on Alexanders, click here.
LEAVE US A
COMMENT ON THE MESSAGE BOARD
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As I have said above, this page is open to all comers. Leave feedback on the
board, let us know what you want to read about, top tens, recommended bands,
recommended websites etc. Contribute,
please!
E-mail me with your writings and I will post them for you. Bye for now.
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