Reni (musician) - The Stone Roses

The Stone Roses

Reni joined The Stone Roses in May 1984 after reading an advertisement the band had placed in Manchester's A1 Music store, now the Academy of Sound. He ripped it off the wall in order to make sure only he would get an audition which occurred in what was at the time Decibel Studios to the north of the city centre. This was a rehearsal studio and required the band to carry Reni's drum kit up three flights of stairs, before running through early songs "Nowhere Fast", "All Stitched Up", and "Mission Impossible". Andy Couzens, then the band's second guitarist, recalls these first few minutes with their new-found 20 year old drummer, noting, "We never discussed it, we knew he was in! He was ****ing amazing! What a drummer."

The band's first live show with Reni occurred at an anti-heroin gig in London, which was being hosted by Pete Townshend. Having seen the band's performance he commented that Reni was the most naturally gifted drummer he had seen since Keith Moon. This unusual encounter concluded with The Who star asking the band whether he could use their drummer, which led to performances of Pictures of Lily, amongst others, with the 20 year old.

Reni's initial playing style was characterised by the energy from evident influences such as Keith Moon; Andy Couzens once mentioned he was "like ten Keith Moons in one". Manchester music scene regulars such as Martin Hannett commented that it was clear most people were attending the band's early gigs to see Reni play. John Robb noted the general feeling in Manchester was, "go and see The Stone Roses, their drummer's amazing". However, as the band's music progressed his playing style became renowned by his use of a 3-piece kit, and the additional complement of his backing vocals on many songs. His use of a smaller kit did not limit the range of sounds he could produce – his distinctive use of the high-hat and cymbals created a unique chiming sound witnessed on many of the band's most famous songs. Reni's abilities were most obvious in the live performances that The Stone Roses gave where he was able to show his full range of abilities. Rhythm Magazine commented that he was, "funkier and more subtle than any drummer in the genre (indie) had ever been", and that he was, "economical, soulful and inventive". Indeed, Rhythm Magazine named him as a drummer hero stating, "you know him best by his ability to always play it cooler than cool". Many fans also found that his harmonic backing vocals were an integral part to the band's music, particularly during live performances. Described in John Robb's biography of The Stone Roses as "the voice of an angel", listening to their debut album, and live shows such as The Blackpool Empress Ballroom (1989), and Glasgow Green (1990, and also Reni's final gig with the band), overtly display his abilities.

Reni was the first member of the "classic" Stone Roses line-up to leave in March 1995, with much mystery surrounding his exit. The band continued with Robbie Maddix as drummer, but then broke up in 1996.

In a press conference on 18 October 2011, Reni, along with the other members of the Stone Roses, announced the band would be reforming for two 'homecoming' gigs at Heaton Park, Manchester on June 29 and 30 2012, part of a Reunion Tour.