| Stone age primal rocker Second-generation
Irish musician Mani has been an essential part of both The Stone Roses
and Primal Scream. His lively nature and stage presence have also made
him a firm fan’s favourite. richard purden caught up with him to
discuss the Irish influence on his life with two of Britain’s most
respected bands.
 The
Stone Roses 1989 classic debut still continues to top popularity polls
17 years on and their cultural impact is beyond measure. This year they
came out on top in the NME’s 100 greatest British albums list.
Each year the media and fellow musicians constantly articulate the merit
of the work. For many it was year zero in terms of a revival in guitar
music and even now it stands alone as a modern masterpiece.
There is a strong Irish influence running through the veins of Britain’s
greatest bands including The Beatles, The Smiths and Oasis. The Stone
Roses Celtic influence is often overlooked but the album is swamped with
traditional folk music, harmonies and Aeolian melodies similar in style
to early Beatles. While the media often focus on the song-writing partnership
of frontman Ian Brown and guitarist John Squire, The Stone Roses rhythm
section of Mani on bass and Reni on drums is equally significant.
Coming from an Irish background, Mani felt an affinity with punk as a
teenager. His love of Northern Soul, dub, hip-hop and reggae fed into
his funky and rhythmic playing giving The Stone Roses blend of ’60s
psychedelic pop another essential dimension.
He says: “I grew up with the Scooter boys. I’d go to the all-nighters.
I was into early hip-hop, Sly And The Family Stone. With the Roses everyone
in the band brought something different to the party. We all turned each
other onto different styles and cultures; it was about cramming as much
knowledge into your head as you could.
“I think if you listen to the Roses before I joined it’s a
different band. I was kind of like a backseat driver as Ian Brown and
John Squire were the songwriting partnership. They took most of the limelight
but Ian knows the score and he appreciated my worth even if other people
didn’t. I think the test of time has shown what Ian and I are capable
of. Ian doesn’t need John and I don’t need either of them.
Everyone’s got their own thing now.”
Both The Stone Roses and Primal Scream are famous for their anti-Thatcherite
politics and anti-monarchy stance. The historical and cultural differences
between Britain and Ireland often made it difficult for second-generation
Irish teenagers to adapt especially during the height of The Troubles.
Many of those teenagers found their identity in the anti-British aspect
to punk.
Mani explains how punk and Irish ethnicity went hand-in-hand as a teenager
growing up in the ’70s.
He says: “I became more aware of my Irishness when I got into punk.
The year 1977 was a real sea change for me. I was more conscious and politically
aware.
“In school we had a very sanitised version of Irish history and
of the Famine because the English are so embarrassed of what went on;
it was genocide really.
“You don’t get an understanding of what your ancestors had
to go through and the struggle for Irish independence.
“My mum moved from Ireland to London when she was only 14 after
her father died. She was spat at and called a thick paddy bitch. She kind
of down played her Irishness even though she had an accent. It wasn’t
the done thing to bleat about it.
“The English have tried to exterminate the Celtic races; we had
the Highland Clearances and the Irish Famine. People were shipped out
their own countries to try and get a life together and get something to
eat.”
The experience of growing up in an Irish home was essential in forming
his magnanimous world-view and eclectic passion for music.
He says: “I was always conscious of Irish music because of my ma.
There was no one musical in my family but you always knew the rebel songs
and the songs of depravation from home. I just picked it up; maybe I’m
tapping into something from generations ago that I don’t even know
about.
“I went to Catholic schools and hung about with Catholic people;
most of the folk in my area were Catholics.”
Growing up in what was effectively an Irish ghetto in Manchester also
made Mani politically aware. Both The Stone Roses and Primal Scream held
onto a working-class identity while personifying a sharp, opinionated
awareness and effortless street cool. Compared to today’s safe pop
climate they were deemed rock ’n’ roll outlaws.
Mani says: “With the Roses we wanted to bring like-minded people
together; that’s what brings down mountains. The House of Commons
branded us pop nutters and anti-establishment because Ian said some stuff
about the Queen... I’ve got the clippings at home.
“We got penalised four chart positions for that. We should have
gone in at No. 1 with either Fools Gold or One Love. We’d outsold
Elton John four times over but they wouldn’t let us go in at No
1. That’s how the machine works against you when you speak your
mind.
“Politics is dead now; people would rather sit in front of a Playstation
all day long. I mean Ian and John used to sell the Socialist Worker newspaper.
We lived through Thatcher and it fed into the music.”
Since joining Primal Scream Mani has become an integral member of the
internationally-renowned Glasgow band. Tapping into their Celtic roots
the band are about to release their new single Country Girl. The forthcoming
new album is tipped to be a miraculous return to form.
He says: “We’ve gone back to being a band again, it just happened
naturally. Instead of firing ideas into a computer, we just sat in a room
and everyone was involved. It’s proper rock ’n’ roll
designed to play live.
“Everyone in the band was involved — it’s more traditional
and it’s sounding different again. I don’t know how we do
it but we’ve gone off on another different tangent. It’s down
to just the basics of vocals, guitar, bass, drums and keyboards.”
Mani remains close with his old band mates in The Stone Roses. The music
press is constantly buzzing with rumours that the band are getting back
together for a live reunion.
Frontman Ian Brown remains adamant the day will never come. Mani however
has other ideas.
He says: “I’m sure it will happen one day but don’t
hold your breath. I’ve just got to keep working on Ian. I keep pecking
away at him every time I see him. I’m trying to get him and John
talking again because John and Reni have both said yes
“I’ve been working on them. I can understand the thing with
Ian because he’s king of his own castle now. He’s got his
greatest hits thing and doing well himself. If John apologises to Ian
it will be alright. I’ll get Primal Scream supporting and get double
bubble.
“We’d have to play a gig at the City and United grounds and
one in Glasgow.
“The Glasgow Green gig in 1990 was the best ever; the one we played
at Cork’s football ground was also amazing. People still come up
and say: ‘Alright Mani, remember the Green?’
“I heard a tape of those gigs and the crowd sang every word. Ian
could have just sat there and never sang a word. Celtic people have more
passion and fire than anyone else.”
Primal Scream will be touring in April. Country Girl will be released
on May 22. A new album will follow on June 5.
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