On the 30th Anniversary of The Stone Roses’ era-defining gig at Spike Island, get ready for a celebration like no other. On 16th May 2020, THE CLONE ROSES will be following in the footsteps of their heroes as they headline: ‘SPIKE ISLAND – THE RESURRECTION’. We Talk to Clones Bassist Baggy (Mike Bagshaw – Clone Mani) who is also one of the events organises about his band and the monumental task of putting on such a massive show.

NSG: Hi guys and welcome. So after 30 years, Spike Island is going to reverberate to the sounds of Manchester again! A monumental task to arrange I bet? How did it come about and who was the brainchild behind it? 

MB: The band have been talking about it for the last 10 years. We’ve been working with Andy who runs the successful Glastonferry events at The Ferry Tavern, he put on our 20th Anniversary show in St Helens which was a huge success. So with the 30th Anniversary of Spike Island coming up, it felt like the right time but we all know what happened in 2020. As for the size of the task, let’s just say there’s a good reason nobody else has put on a festival at this location in 30 years.

NSG: I’m guessing a lot of fans who went to the original Stone Roses show at Spike Island will be going? How do you feel knowing you will be bringing back so many memories to so many people? Nervous? 

MB: Yeah it is a bit daunting the size of the event and how important the original event was to people and its place in UK music history. I’m sure everyone will have a great time and celebrate the music they love. They deserve it after the time we’ve all had.

NSG: We read recently The Clone Roses are the longest serving and most popular Roses Tribute playing live today. How long ago did you form and did you ever expect to become so big singing Stones songs?

MB: We formed in 97. At first, we had no idea how it would pan out tbh. We love the Roses and thought it’d be a fun way to get out there and play the songs to people. We cut our teeth playing social clubs in the northwest and things built from there. The more experienced we became the more we learned about the live music industry and everything grew from there.

 NSG: Were you at the original Spike Island Show and if so did you ever envision headlining on the very same stage 30 years later?

MB: No, we were all just that little bit too young in 1990 so sadly missed out but it’s become a tradition in the northwest to just lie and say you went anyway, so let’s run with that. 

Stone Roses, Spike Island aerial shot

 NSG: If you had to pick three Stone Roses songs, which ones would be your favourite to perform, and are they different from your three favourite to listen to? 

 MB: It’s a tough question that and my answer changes with my mood, I think. The big hitters live are the likes of This Is The One, Made of Stone, and obviously, I Am The Resurrection. We all really enjoy playing Where Angles Play and Shoot You Down, they have a more relaxed feel and the parts fit into each other so well, always gives me goosebumps playing them live. 

NSG: How did the band form and how did you all meet?

MB: Gavin (Clone Ian) and Tony (Clone Squire) are brothers. They came up with the idea after it was pointed out to Gav by his mates that when he sang along to the Roses he sounded like Ian Brown. Tony had been playing guitar since being a kid so they worked it out from there. I myself had known Tony since infants and had played in bands with him before so they asked me and I thought why not sounds fun. We’ve had 3 different drummers but current drummer Phil has been with us since 2005 so he avoided the Labour Clubs era. He’s a good lad but he’s originally from Cornwall so we don’t let him speak in public.

NSG: Your band seems extremely authentic. It must be hard to cover a band and make it look and sound so alike the original? How do you approach such a massive task? Do you feel a sense of responsibility to get it right?

MB: Yes, we do feel responsible to do it right. We like to feel our attention to detail has helped it be as successful as it has been. We have spent a lot of time getting the look and sound right, from tailor made clothes, replica instruments, guitar tones – it needs to be done right. The Roses reunion was great for us as we took on the sound and style of the new shows, which gave us a new lease of life.

The Clone Roses

NSG: There seems to be a massive resurgence in tribute bands at the moment and they seem to draw massive crowds. Do you feel this is something that will continue to grow and do you see it as a viable alternative for fans who can’t get to see the real bands?

MB: We’ve been around from the beginning of the tribute boom so seen a lot of them come and go. Like everything in life, some do it well and some do it poorly. The better tributes tend to end up more on the tour circuit. I know it’s not for everyone and I’m fine with that, but at the end of the day the numbers don’t lie and a lot of people want to listen to the music they love performed live. The older crowd wants to reminisce, and the younger crowd wants the experience and a great night out. What some people don’t realise is that without the tribute scene a lot of live UK venues would have closed their doors years ago, especially the ones in the towns that the big tour agents avoid. I think it’s here to stay and most people in the industry realise it’s worth.

NSG: If you weren’t The Clone Roses are there any other bands you’d love to have covered? 

MB: Great question. I myself am into a lot of different genres of music and as a result, I could go on all day with this. Some of your readers might be upset if I answer honestly but I think my bass hero (other than Mani obviously) is probably Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler. Along with playing some of the greatest riffs known to mankind, Geezer is such a cool guy, proper legend, yeah, I’d love to take on that role.

NSG: Out of all the amazing acts on this bill, who are you really excited to see play?  

MB: Can I cheat and say all of them? It’s tricky as they’re all great tributes to bands that I love. I will say though Happy Mondaze Shaun and Bez are amazing. Not only are they ringers for who they’re impersonating but they’re just like that off stage, it’s not an act either they’re just like them.  

NSG: Will this show at Spike Island be a one off or are there any future plans to return?

MB: I think for us it’ll be just a one off, keep it special. 

NSG:  If you could sit down for dinner with three bands from the past or present, who would they be and why?

MB: Oh eck that’s tricky! Black Sabbath, I’m sure Geezer and Ozzy Osborne would be good entertainment. On a very different kind of evening, I would have loved to meet Ian Curtis, he was a genius and seemed a delicate and complicated character that bared his very soul in his lyrics. Ian was also a Man City fan like myself so being stuck in a band with 2 reds I’d apricate another Bert at the table. Then it has to be The Stone Roses I’ve met Mani on a few occasions and he’s such an ace guy, really down to earth and funny.

NSG: Since the pandemic started it’s been a rough road for people in the music industry, what’s been the impact on you as a band and how did it affect the organising of this event?

MB: Like for everyone it’s been awful. We’ve not played a gig for 18 months which is horrendous when it’s what you’ve done since you were 13 years old. Obviously, the lack of income has been difficult, but you realise how much you love what you do when it’s taken away. Live music needs support, it feels like we’ve been thrown under the wheels a bit. How the organisers have got to this point I will never know. They deserve knighthoods.

NSG: Thank you for your time and have a fantastic show guys we hope you have a blast!

Readers don’t forget to come back to our site the day after the show to see our review and photos taken by NSGs Warren Millar of the event, who knows you may see yourself if you attend it!

To get your tickets and follow them on social media click the links in pink below.

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Limited tickets remain visit www.spikeisland2021.com

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