Resurrection make a return

When Stone Roses tribute act Resurrection reformed it was a case of life imitating art – or in this case artists.

For years they continued the legacy of the Stone Roses after their Manchester heroes split in 1996, only for themselves to go their separate ways in 2005.

But then, just as the Roses reformed in 2012, so too have their tribute act who will play Bannockburn Miners Welfare on July 4.

Glasgow-based Resurrection, named after the Roses’ song, got back together late last year after they felt current tribute acts were not doing justice to their heroes’ music.

Ricky Toner, who leads on vocals, said: “They have no interest in the music or the look. People deserve better than that.”

Resurrection are Toner (aka Ian Brown), Jerry Levy ( John Squire), Matt Checkley (Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield) and Mark Harper (Alan ‘Reni’ Wren).

It was the first time in almost ten years any of the members had played together, having gone their separate ways to promote their own bands.

Ricky continued: “We did a few sporadic gigs back in 2005 and we’ve been on a break ever since. It was really only last year we decided to get back together again.

“It was like we have never been away. The songs just came back to us. In just three rehearsals we had 15 or 16 songs down. It was quite surreal being back in the room with the band.”

Resurrection was formed in 2001 after previously being part of The Complete Stone Roses.

Under their previous guise they toured across the UK, including with Mani, of the original Stone Roses, and built up a huge celebrity fan following.

Ricky said: “We try and make the songs sound as close to the record as humanly possible. When you are doing original stuff and trying to get people to like you and they then always say play a couple of covers. When we’re Resurrection you’ve got a ready made audience. Everyone knows the words. It’s still strange walking out to massive cheers.”

The gig at Bannockburn Miners Welfare will feature the big hits and the best B-sides from the Manchester band’s back catalogue.

Tickets are available from the venue anytime after 12pm or on 01786 815732.