click here to see their 1988 press kit

Here's what the Greenock Telegraph had to say;

COMING UP ROSES AT RICO'S

RISING Manchester rock band "The Stone Roses" play their only Scottish gig at Rico's Eva Destruction on Monday night.

The band's new single "Elephant Stone" is riding high in the independent charts, produced by Peter Hook of New Order.

According to Manchester music magazines, the Roses are "stirring up a frenzied reception wherever they appear". They are being tipped as the city's next big "indie" band, following in the footsteps of The Smiths and The Fall.

It was in March, '87 that the band released their debut 45 "So Young" to a promising response. But it was in July of last year that they made their first big splash with the follow up "Sally Cinnamon".

Since then, the Stone Roses have struck out in search .of a wider audience than their hometown fanatics, and are now playing selected gigs around the United Kingdom.

"Elephant Stone is an achingly good song propelled by the kick and thrust production of New Order's Peter Hook, and primed for deep appreciation by the mixng know-how of John Leckie," said one music magazine.

The band are loathe to cite any influences and say their songs are purely of a personal nature.

"There are no deliberate political statements, there are just things that have happened to us," said band guitarist John Squire. "Things that we know about. We think that life is political itself. It trivialises issues to put them in a song, to get down and party out of someone else's problems and make a few quid out of it. It doesn't change anything.

"People have different interpretations of what the songs are about, which to us is what a good song is. It's not heavily veiled, but it's direct."

Support band for next Monday's gig at Rico's are Gourock band "Life Without Drums" who are hoping to burst back on to the local scene after a lengthy absence with a brand new set.

The Stone Roses cancelled at lunch time on the day due to Ian Brown having tonsillitis. Years later former Roses roadies Al Smith & Phil Smith recalled that "they were on their way back from Ireland and couldn't be arsed". 'Tis the way of the music business (especially if you're from Manchester). Anyway, my compatriot Kenny Marshall sprang into action and instead of a band who within a year had released my favourite EVER album (no contest) and were playing at the Alexandria Palace - we put on a legendary Greenock night. Here's why:-

The band names are in alphabetical order because I can't remember who went on first/last.

Electric Chair - within a year or two most of this band became the first lineup of future Silvertone signings Whiteout.

Life Without Drums - that night were Paul McLean, Pud Harrison, Peter Robertson and a drum machine (help me out here Paul).

Lucy Baines Band (note spelling) - Definitely only Tafty and Rab McGovern that night. Played a cracking version of Barry McGuire's "Eve Of Destruction".

Spurt - Four piece featuring Tony Church, Brian Davidson and Alan Laughlin. They used to do a great version of "Superman" so let's assume they did it that night.

All these bands played on a few hours notice - probably for buttons. Ah, the good old days.

Just to confuse you even more the date was originally booked for The Happy Mondays, but it was changed about three weeks before - I can't remember why but bear in mind the Mondays had good profile at the time whereas outside Manchester no-one knew who The Stone Roses were.