Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie has reflected on the band's 35-year legacy, the upcoming XTRMNTR anniversary shows in Manchester, and the enduring influence of late bassist Mani.
Screamadelica's 35th Anniversary
This year marks 35 years since the release of Primal Scream's third album, Screamadelica, which propelled the band to critical and commercial success. The album, featuring singles Loaded, Come Together, and Movin' On Up, contributed to the early 90s acid house scene and remains a defining record of the decade.
Led by vocalist Bobby Gillespie, the band has since released twelve studio albums. Reflecting on the album's unexpected success, Gillespie told the Manchester Evening News: "I don't know how Screamadelica got into the charts in the first place, really. We started the band in 1984, had released two records and didn't get much success before then. But it became a cult album."
He added: "For us, it meant we could finally earn our living as musicians and be able to do what we want, really. The hits from Screamadelic and Give Out But Don't Give Up, all that stuff gave us room to breathe and let us build the studio where we'd record our Bunker Trilogy. That record all led to that."
XTRMNTR Reissue and Live Shows
The Bunker Trilogy - 1997's Vanishing Point, 2000's XTRMNTR, and 2002's Evil Heat - are set to be reissued this year as fan collection editions with additional tracks, remasters, and new studio notes. As part of the celebration, Gillespie, Andrew Innes, and Darrin Mooney will perform two shows at Manchester's New Century Hall on September 11 and 12, playing XTRMNTR live in full.
Gillespie described the album's significance: "It was a statement album, it was all the things I wanted to say all my life that I finally got to say." He added: "I think it stands up amongst all the records ever made, you know? Not just by Primal Scream but by anybody. It's a very hard-sounding album but it also at the same time sounds very beautiful. That's a hard thing to attain."
Regarding the live performances, he said: "When the question came up about playing it again, we were up for it but we have very high standards. I didn't want people leaving the gig being like 'oh, it was better 25 years ago'. I wanted to do the record justice and do those live shows justice too. I think we've managed that with the great band we have."
Remembering Mani
Mani, born in Stockport, joined Primal Scream in 1996 and contributed to Vanishing Point, but XTRMNTR marked his first full album since his time with the Stone Roses. He passed away in November last year at the age of 63. Just days after his death, Primal Scream played a show in Manchester featuring a rendition of 'I'm Losing More Than I'll Ever Have' dedicated to the bassist.
Gillespie paid tribute: "Mani was a wild rover, you know? I remember when I went to Shane MacGowan's funeral and there were all sorts of dignities there and famous musicians as was to be expected. It was almost like a state funeral." He recalled a friend's comment: "My friend Sean O'Hagan, who writes for The Observer, turned to me and said 'only in Ireland would a degenerate get a state funeral where he'd be celebrated for all he did'. You could say the same thing for Mani in Manchester, because his funeral was at the Cathedral and Andy Burnham, now the Prime Minister, was there."
He continued: "He had a storied life, he was an amazing guy. He was nice to everybody whether they were the future prime minister, a kid at a gig, or a homeless person on the street. He was very democratic. If you watch any footage of Mani on stage, he was just absolutely loving it. He was a great guy - we love him and we miss him and I think of him every day."
Gillespie also recalled their shared moments: "To see that outpouring of grief and love for him at his funeral was beautiful. Me and him would often be the ones from the band sent to collect awards at these big music ceremonies and he used to tell me 'For **** sake Gillespie, we've become pillocks of the establishment'. We'd pat ourselves on the back at the same time. Pillocks of the establishment, ****ing brilliant."
BRIT Awards and Noel Gallagher
Earlier this year, Gillespie presented Noel Gallagher with his contribution to songwriting award at the BRIT Awards in Manchester. He said: "The BRIT's asked me and I said yeah, I was honoured to do it. I love those boys. I've known them before they even made a record. Noel is the same he ever was. He knew who he was back then, he was very confident in an understated way, he was good company and he never loses his cool."
He added: "The guy I met in 1993 hasn't changed, not that I can see. He's always been the same guy that I met early doors. I used to really marvel and admire the fact that he, his brother, Bonehead and the rest of Oasis were just always humble and courteous guys to me and the band. We always had a great relationship with those boys - the respect went both ways."
At the BRITs, he also shared a table with Tim Burgess of The Charlatans and Shaun and Bez from the Happy Mondays. "I had a great talk with all these guys," he said. "In the past, whenever me and the Mondays have met, we've often all been worse for wear. But those two are national treasures - whereas I'd like to be regarded as a national disgrace."
Manchester's Significance
Gillespie, hailing from Glasgow, credits Manchester for recognizing Primal Scream early on. "To me, Manchester is the second city of British punk, with London being the first," he said. "As young punks, we loved Joy Division, Slaughter and The Dogs, and Magazine. There was always a mystique about Manchester but when Manchester started releasing music from Joy Division and A Certain Ratio, you'd start buying those records and take notice."
He recalled his own connections: "I played bass in a band called The Wake and we released a mini-album on Factory Records. I had the experience of being a musician on Factory Records, it led us to playing at the Hacienda and opening for my heroes New Order. I was in Manchester a lot."
He added: "Johnny Marr always says to me that he saw the Scream as a Hacienda band, and I always thought that was a bit of an amazing thing to say. A lot of Manchester bands respected what we did, and we respected what they did - there was a lot of reciprocity there."
Looking forward to the upcoming shows, he said: "I've always felt like Manchester has been a second home for me. We have always been well received in Manchester. I think Manchester's a hip city, and Manchester was maybe ahead of London. London got us, and Manchester got us when it was early doors and I'll never forget that. When I'm in Manchester, I feel like I'm amongst people that understand me."
