The Stone Roses
Ian Brown
Vocals
John Squire
Guitar
Mani
Bass
Reni
Drums
Formed: 1983
Location: Manchester, England
Genre: Rock, Indie Rock, Baggy
Years Active: 1983 - 1996; 2011 - 2017
Meaning of the Name: A combination of something hard and something soft.
Primary Songwriters: Ian Brown and John Squire
Associated: The Seahorses
Labels: Silverstone, Geffen
Location: Manchester, England
Genre: Rock, Indie Rock, Baggy
Years Active: 1983 - 1996; 2011 - 2017
Meaning of the Name: A combination of something hard and something soft.
Primary Songwriters: Ian Brown and John Squire
Associated: The Seahorses
Labels: Silverstone, Geffen
Essential Releases
The Stone Roses
(1989)
Madchester dance rhythms and melodic pop combine on this classic of indie rock.
In the '90s, for a certain subset of British indie-rock fans, The Stone Roses were God. As working-class madlads from the North who succeeded on their own terms during the bleak years of Thatcher, they signified something more important than themselves: the region's rebellious spirit. They also elevated self-confidence into an artform.
Such statements could easily be dismissed as hyperbole under normal circumstances, but the phenomenon was real. It can be explained by a simple truth: people go mad sometimes. Cults form around the tiniest things; trends and crazes sweep the nation. The baggy jeans and bucket hats worn by The Roses' faithful made them identifiable to each other at a glance. The uniform became a visual shorthand for membership in a club that rejected London in favour of the North.
As ordinary Mancunians, The Roses tapped into a long-standing friction known as the North-South divide. When 27,000 fans travelled to a gig at the disused industrial plant on Cheshire's Spike Island, it was as a pilgrimage, not only to the Roses, but to the region's prosperous past.
During the 19th century, this area had been the centre of the British Empire's chemical industry; by 1990, its ruins mirrored the people. The gig epitomised the desire of a young generation to reinvigorate a once-proud land with music and culture. However, while the idea was noble, the execution was a shambles. Unfavourable wind blew the music away from the audience as if nature herself had decided reinvigoration wasn't meant to be.
Also, while the Roses were beloved by many in the North, their Southern contemporaries were bemused. The London-centric shoegaze crowd perceived their catchy-pop choruses as regressive. Reviewers couldn't believe they attended the same gigs as devout members of the congregation who praised average at best performances as legendary.
However, The Stone Roses themselves felt something in the air. With song titles like 'I Am the Resurrection', they provided an almost pre-destined leadership to a new generation of rebels ignored by the capital. Some of their listeners, like Noel & Liam Gallagher, formed bands themselves, and from the self-assured swagger of The Stone Roses, Britpop rekindled a sense of intranational competition that was typified by Blur vs Oasis. Or to put it another way: North vs South.
Skills
*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.Emotional Impact
75
Mental Impact
60
Originality
90
Artistry
70
Authenticity
80
Live
65
Production
80
Musicianship
85
Singing
60
Songwriting
85
Danceability
75
Fun
80
Consistency
40
Range
60
Cool
80
Charisma
80
Commercial & Critical Success
Awards
Certifications >>>
- The Stone Roses: Platinum in the UK
- Second Coming: Platinum in the UK
Charts >>>
- The Stone Roses: Number 5 in the UK
- Second Coming: Number 4 in the UK
Critics >>>
- Pitchfork - The Stone Roses - The Best Albums of the '80s (2002): 39th
- Q - The Stone Roses - All Time Top 100 Albums (1998): 4th
- Q - The Stone Roses - The 40 Best Albums of the '80s (2006): 5th
- Slant - The Stone Roses - The 100 Best Albums of the '80s (2012): 28th
