WHEN THE STONE ROSES CAME TO BARROW …
WITH the official announcement that the Stone Roses are getting back together for a world tour, it brought back memories of when they played much closer to home.
Over 25 years ago, on Thursday 14th August, 1986 to be precise, the Stone Roses played at Barrow’s Bluebird Club. Thursday nights at the Bluebird had become known as the ‘alternative night’. Well known for their roles in local band the Tier Garden, vocalist Mike McCusker and band manager Michelle Evans had taken over the running of the alternative nights in May of 1986. With their links and contacts in the music business, they were able to attract some of the best up and coming bands. Primal Scream, James, Happy Mondays and Pop Will Eat Itself all played at the Bluebird.
The Stone Roses were billed as the support act to another new band, The Shamen, who themselves, would also go on to greater things. The Roses were an unknown quantity, and all that was known was that, aside from James and the Jesus and Mary Chain, they were the only band to have packed-out Manchester’s 1,500 capacity Ritz Club.
That fact didn’t cut much ice with the Bluebird audience that night, who instantly took a real disliking to the arrogant antics occurring onstage. Singer Ian Brown soon began berating the audience for not filling the dancefloor, which was obviously the reaction they were used to in Manchester. Brown began swearing, and calling the crowd ‘pathetic’, as the band ploughed on with their set, to mounting disapproval within the room.
This was an early incarnation of the band, and bore little resemblance to the finely honed outfit who would produce their stunning debut album less than three years later. The only recognisable song I remember them playing on the night was This is the One, which had been a staple in their set since the very early days.
After more abuse from Ian Brown, the P.A. system either packed-up or the plug was pulled and the Roses left the stage to whoops and cheers from the audience. Looking back, it was a rather surreal experience, especially in light of how popular they became, and how influential they remain.
* First published in the Evening Mail (Wed.19.Oct.’11)
Frozen Notes 
Nice piece David. Can’t imagine the Roses having many numbers to dance too, either!
Thanks, Ellis. At this stage, the Roses were yet to discover their famed ‘Fools Gold’ type ‘baggy’ dance grooves, but they were very insistent, nonetheless !