It's official: the Stone Roses still want to be adored. After years of speculation and false rumours, not to mention a weekend of suspicious activity, the Stone Roses confirmed in a press conference today (October 18) that they are reuniting.
All four members of the Manchester outfit -- singer Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield and drummer Alan "Reni" Wren -- spoke to the press from London's Soho Hotel to deliver the news that they'll be playing gigs for the first time since 1996 next year, and possibly delivering some new material as well.
"This is a live resurrection that you're all invited to," the Guardian quotes Brown as saying. "We hope to put out a new album of new music. But I can't say. It's like a language we all used to speak and we ain't spoke for a while."
What the group have confirmed so far are two concert dates at Manchester's Heaton Park on June 29 and 30. More dates are expected at a later time.
"It was important to do the shows in Manchester. I wanted to thank the people of Manchester," Brown continued.
Mani explained that the first song the reformed Madchester vets played this time around was "Shoot You Down," which he said "sounded better than it used to."
"Something magical happens when we come in a room together," he continued. The bassist also hinted at the possibility of releasing some live tracks for free.
"I've been allowed to follow my dream. It's getting a little surreal now. What the fuck have I done? It's never been about the money. I'm getting sick of getting asked those questions about the Stone Roses," Mani said. "Show me the mountain and I'll fucking climb it."
Brown, in the meantime, will put his solo career on ice for his bandmates to see what the Roses can do. Like the singer's recent rumoured text suggested, the band is going to rule the world again.
"We'll ride it 'till the wheels fall off. And we did last time. There's no one in the world who can play like these three," Brown exclaimed. "I think we're still great and we've still got it."
All four members of the Manchester outfit -- singer Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield and drummer Alan "Reni" Wren -- spoke to the press from London's Soho Hotel to deliver the news that they'll be playing gigs for the first time since 1996 next year, and possibly delivering some new material as well.
"This is a live resurrection that you're all invited to," the Guardian quotes Brown as saying. "We hope to put out a new album of new music. But I can't say. It's like a language we all used to speak and we ain't spoke for a while."
What the group have confirmed so far are two concert dates at Manchester's Heaton Park on June 29 and 30. More dates are expected at a later time.
"It was important to do the shows in Manchester. I wanted to thank the people of Manchester," Brown continued.
Mani explained that the first song the reformed Madchester vets played this time around was "Shoot You Down," which he said "sounded better than it used to."
"Something magical happens when we come in a room together," he continued. The bassist also hinted at the possibility of releasing some live tracks for free.
"I've been allowed to follow my dream. It's getting a little surreal now. What the fuck have I done? It's never been about the money. I'm getting sick of getting asked those questions about the Stone Roses," Mani said. "Show me the mountain and I'll fucking climb it."
Brown, in the meantime, will put his solo career on ice for his bandmates to see what the Roses can do. Like the singer's recent rumoured text suggested, the band is going to rule the world again.
"We'll ride it 'till the wheels fall off. And we did last time. There's no one in the world who can play like these three," Brown exclaimed. "I think we're still great and we've still got it."
