Stone Roses' Mani: 'I'm on a banana diet for 2012 tour'
Stone Roses' Mani: 'I'm on a banana diet for 2012 tour', Manchester band The Stone Roses have announced they are to reunite for a series of gigs 15 years after they split up.Ian Brown, John Squire, Mani (Gary Mounfield) and Reni (Alan Wren) said they have put their differences behind them.
Squire said: "Everything changed when me and Ian started seeing each other again. We went from crying and laughing about the old days to writing songs in a heartbeat.
"In some ways it's a friendship that defines us both and it needed fixing. Two phone calls later and the band was no longer dead."
Brown added: "This is a live resurrection we're inviting you to so you better be careful."
They will play two shows at Heaton Park, Manchester on 29th and 30th June 2012 before heading off on a world tour.
The band said the death of Mani's mother earlier this year was what brought them back together.
"We think a really beautiful thing has come out of a sad situation", said Brown.
The Stone Roses were pioneers of the 'Madchester' scene in the 1990's.
Their self titled debut album The Stone Roses, released in 1989, is often described as one of the greatest of all time and their Spike Island gig in 1990 is regarded as one of British rock's seminal moments.
Their second album Second Coming wasn't released until 1994.
"I think we're great and we've still got it," said Brown.
"And times like this we can uplift people. We are here for ourselves though; I'm not going to lie."
Stone Roses fans have been calling for a reunion since the band split in 1996 following a disastrous performance at Reading Festival.
Mani told the news conference: "Something magical happens when us four are in the room together, you can't put your finger on it. It's just beautiful to capture it again. I've missed it."
Following the break up singer Ian Brown went on to enjoy success as a solo star, Squire formed The Seahorses before pursuing an art career, and Mani joined Primal Scream. The bands drummer Reni slipped out of the limelight.
Asked how long they plan to stay together this time round Mani said: "It's a suck it and see thing", while Brown added: "We'll ride it as long as we can till the wheels fall off."
Source: yahoo