NME 10th August 2002 Issue





JOHN SQUIRE: NO THIRD COMING FOR STONE ROSES




WORLD EXCLUSIVE: MANC GIANTS WILL NOT REFORM, BUT SQUIRE SOLO ALBUM IMMINENT

The Stone Roses are not reforming. Despite many rumours of a multi-million pound offer for the band to get back together for a Spike Island-style reunion show, John Squire informed the NME last week, in a world exclusive interview, that the former members had no intention of hooking back up.

The former Roses guitarist and songwriter broke his silence to tell NME that the rumours had probably come from the fact that there is a band-approved greatest hits album due in the autumn. Contrary to speculation, he has not had any contact with his former bandmates.

"I've not spoken to Ian for seven years," Squire said. "Mani, I've seen him a few times. I've not spoken to Reni since he quit."

The biggest obstacle to the band reforming, he said, was the breakdown of his relationship with Ian Brown. "Yeah, because we wrote together, we kenw each other for the longest, that hurt the deepest."

The only contact the pair have had was when Brown was in Strangeways prison in 1998 after being convicted of an air rage incident. "I sent him a Christmas card when he was in prison, that's the only contact," said Squire. "He said thanks through a third party."

Eighteen months ago, former Roses bassist Mani told NME he thought the band should play live again because of the bad way things ended. He also confirmed they'd been offered "absolutely astounding financial incentives".

But Squire poured cold water on fans' hopes. "I couldn't do it and not think about Spinal Tap," he said. "I heard that Reni's manager wanted us to play the opening of the Commonweath Games. That was a good one."

Squire is currently working on a solo project, with an album, 'Time Changes Everything', out on September 16 through his own North Country label. It will be the first release to feature him singing, and his first since The Seahorses' 'Do It Yourself' in 1997. The Seahorses split in 1999 due to conflict between Squire and singer Chris Helme.

Squire has not spoken to the press since, refusing to give his side of The Seahorses' split or "the Roses for that matter". He said of comments about him made by former bandmates: "I know who I am, I don't need to compare that with other peoples' opinions."

The Seahorses split during the making of their second album. Squire said: "I thought, 'This sounds shit, we don't deserve to be in this place.' The band sounded complacent. I don't suppose it was anyone's fault. Maybe it got far too much attention for very little effort in the early stages, because of what I'd done in the past."

The title of his solo album was partly inspired by happier times he had with The Stone Roses. Squire told NME: "It's about my first long-term relationship, and the old days - before the Roses got anywhere, living on the dole. A nostalgia trip for me."

Squire recorded 'Time Changes Everything' at his own rehearsal studio in a converted garage at home in the Peak District. The tracklisting is: 'Joe Louis', 'I Miss You', 'Shine A Little Light', 'Time Changes Everything', 'Welcome To The Valley', '15 Days', 'Transatlantic Near Death Experience', 'All I Really Want', 'Strange Feeling' and 'Sophia'.

"I went right back to basics with acoustic guitar and my voice originally," said Squire. "Maybe I thought I could do that and avoid putting a band together."

Asked about his singing, Squire said: "I do get tired of it, I've been listening to it all year. But it's not as embarrassing as I thought it could be. I don't know why I've shyed away from it for so long."

After abortive sessions with former Verve members Simon Jones and Simon Tong, now of The Shining, Squire recorded with largely unknown musicians.






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