THEN
NOW
Along with the first OASIS LP Definitely Maybe (1994) and the eponymous first
one by THE STONE ROSES (1989), the SEX PISTOLS‘s debut Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols is one of the three best debut albums ever (thus far) to my ears.
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Memorable moments
1 March 2026
Along with the first LP by the Sex Pistols (1977) and Oasis (1994),
THE STONE ROSES‘s one (1988) is the best ever debut to TUTV’s ears.
They followed it by Second Coming (6 years later!), toured and then
broke up in 1996. Too many egos, too much money, too many drugs.
In 2012, they returned to the live scene for some huge
reunion gigs and took another break afterward.
In 2016, they released 2 new songs, All For One and Beautiful Thing
and played another batch of massive open-air shows in the UK and
some European festivals and called it a final day in 2019.
All that said, let’s have one of their adrenaline shots with I WANNA BE ADORED,
the sublime opener of their debut longplayer, when they played it at an intimate comeback gig at Warrington’s Parr Hall in the UK on 23 May 2012. Their first in
16 years, and a warm-up for that first reunion tour.
Euphoric!
London 1995.
Unforgettable memory for JL/TUTV.
3 January 2026
Following the passing of bassist Mani Mounfield last November
UNCUT looks back on Manchester‘s heroes THE STONE ROSES’
era-defining impact that still resonates today.
Also in the new issue: The Monkees, Emmylou Harris, Bill Callahan, Steve Cropper,
Bruce Foxton, Julianna Hatfield, Geese, Cameron Winter lifts off, Jimmy Cliff, Joe Ely,
Marianne Faithfull, Talking Heads tribute, David Bowie and many more
This months’s Free CD features 15 tracks celebrating the freshiest artists
in New Orleans, from Greazy Alice to Sabine McCalla, The Deslondes and
Silver Synthetic.
You can purchase a copy and let it be sent to your home. Info HERE.
Last month, on November 20th, bass player Gary Mounfield, better known as MANI, of British swagger legends The Stone Roses (authors of one of the best debut LPs ever with their self-titled album in 1989), passed away peacefully in his sleep due to respiratory issues linked to long-standing lung condition emphysema.
Now the band’s guitarist John Squire, who is also a painter, and previously
created the cover artwork for Stone Roses‘ singles and their 2 albums, has
crafted a new work to honor his unfortunate friend.
The new canvas design consists of numerous squares, painted in different
colours. They feature the letters of Mani’s name, interspersed with some stars.
1 July 2025
Ian Brown about that second and final Stone Roses album that took 5 years
to record/release because of ongoing legal battles between record labels
Not as bad as he says, to my ears.
(Image on top: cover of his album ‘Unfinished Monkey Business’)
Top singles from the past
21 November 2024
Band: THE STONE ROSES
Who: Manchester’s indie heroes who made one
of the best-ever debut LP’s (1989) in my book.
Active: 1983–1996, 2011–2017 / 2 studio LPs.
Single: LOVE SPREADS
5 years (because of legal label battles, drugs, too much money, etc)
after their debut longplayer the lazy bastards came up with this new
rad single as the harbinger for their sophomore album Second Coming.
Its lyrics are a telling of the Passion of Christ, reinterpreting
Jesus as a black woman. The song peaked at #2 in the UK.
Let the love spread.
TSR: Story – Discography
20 September 2024
Band: THE STONES ROSES
Track: DRIVING SOUTH
Album: SECOND COMING
Their 2nd and final LP, released in 1994.
Guitarist John Squire always was/is a Jimmy Page fan.
This smoking steamroller is solid proof.
Favourites 4ever
7 May 2024
Band: THE STONE ROSES
Single: I WANNA BE ADORED
Released: 2 September 1991
Score: #20 in the UK
Outstanding psych pop anthem for the ages.
“I don’t have to sell my soul
He’s already in me
I don’t need to sell my soul
He’s already in me
I wanna be adored
I wanna be adored”
And don’t miss this enraptured 2012 live version.
(From their reunion tour).
THE STONE ROSES: Story
10 April 2024
Reni on the left
ALAN ‘RENI’ WREN , the singular drummer of Madchester heroes THE STONES ROSES (1983–1996, 2011–2017) was born on 10 April 1964 in Manchester. Happy 60!
His unique combination of laid-back style with off-beat rhythms was influential in bringing about the blend of indie and dance music which formed much of the Madchester sound He is considered by many musicians, producers and journalists to be the best drummer of his generation.
He should make a record with Liam Gallagher.
Adore Reni.
The Stone Roses‘ self-titled debut LP (1989) is, along with Oasis’ Definitely Maybe and
the Sex Pistols’ ‘Never Mind The Bollocks‘ one of the best debut albums ever, and Reni‘s
drumming performance was an instrumental part of it.
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The Stone Roses: Story
