The Stone Roses


Perhaps it was going to be used as the b-side to WTWIWF but they decided a double A-side was more befitting of the quality of the two songs. I just don't think they would deliberately write something as a b-side. Not in 1989 anyway
You’re underestimating the importance of B-sides from the 60s to the late 80s. Bands wanted to give their fans 2 great songs, not just the single + any old shite. Noel Gallagher refers to how important it was to him for Oasis to try and revive the culture of amazing B-sides....they managed a whole album of them with The Masterplan.

Grime is big with the youth
It’s not the ‘movement’ that britpop, punk, baggy, mod etc was though. Previously music was just a part of the social zeitgeist (probably the most important part), which included fashion, politics and everything in between. I think this ended with britpop as the music industry became so safe and homogenised, and with the way music is now consumed I just can’t see any more significant ‘movements’ occurring of any importance. Or maybe I’m too old...
 
Last edited:
It’s not the ‘movement’ that britpop, punk, baggy, mod etc was though. Previously music was just a part of the social zeitgeist (probably the most important part), which included fashion, politics and everything in between. I think this ended with britpop as the music industry became so safe and homogenised, and with the way music is now consumed I just can’t see any more significant ‘movements’ occurring of any importance. Or maybe I’m too old...

Most classic rock bands were never in the mainstream in UK. Led zep were never on the radio never mind the telly but were a massive part of the culture. I would say grime and drum n bass and whatever else the kids are into are pretty influential. Obviously they aren't in the papers like the Britpop stuff was. There are loads of subcultures the kids are into. I like the fact they aren't mainstream.
 
You’re underestimating the importance of B-sides from the 60s to the late 80s. Bands wanted to give their fans 2 great songs, not just the single + any old shite. Noel Gallagher refers to how important it was to him for Oasis to try and revive the culture of amazing B-sides....they managed a whole album of them with The Masterplan.


It’s not the ‘movement’ that britpop, punk, baggy, mod etc was though. Previously music was just a part of the social zeitgeist (probably the most important part), which included fashion, politics and everything in between. I think this ended with britpop as the music industry became so safe and homogenised, and with the way music is now consumed I just can’t see any more significant ‘movements’ occurring of any importance. Or maybe I’m too old...
Bit of a myth that's been perpetuated by the man you mention that mind.
 
I did when it came out. I was in primary school.


I was never a fan of nme but you got your information where you could. Sounds was my music paper of choice from 1975 to 1982
The Wonder Stuff, who were my favourite band were the last ever front cover on Sounds.
 
I like them, seen them twice (Heaton Park and Glasgow Green)

However, they are easily one of the most overrated bands ever, in my honest opinion.
 
I was 10 when their debut album came out and had a mild interest, but it wasn’t anywhere near the top of my cassette pile.

By my mid teens they’d become my favourite band and possibly the most important band ever to me. They’ve were the reason I picked up my brothers guitar and learned to play it.

Like most bands, they need to be viewed in the context of the time they were at their peak, and there wasn’t half some absolute shite clogging up the airwaves in the late 80s and early 90’s. Things like new kids on the block, wet wet wet, Tiffany or even over produced hair metal imported from the states, absolute meh, then suddenly the jangly guitars and quality lyrics of the Stone roses appeared and it sounded brilliant. Even as the 90’s wore on, their album was a welcome antidote to the over saturation of grunge, which helped raise their mystique.

I barely listen to them now though, I still love the tunes but without the zeitgeist of that time, their music does lose a little.
 
Great band but breaking through at the same time as Ecstasy massively increased the vibe
i'm one of the few who appreciates the second album as a quality album
the first album stands along side any other imo
 
Noel said that his B sides were just 'songs', just like the album tracks....was he supposed to think 'oh this is a B side - I better write a crap one?'.
 
The first album was the backdrop to the Madchester scene - a heady mix of cool Indie and Acid House (not present in their music) in the middle of an oppressive Tory rule. For me it was the soundtrack of that summer and holds so many good memories. I still listen to that album on occasion and maybe its for sentimental reasons but it still holds true to me.
I'd agree that thereafter they havent done anything great, but they were as much about a 'scene' as they were about music. I guess people of a younger generation just wont get that and thats understandable.
 

Back
Top