Greetings dear readers from a rather tropical Manchester! We at Gigslutz spend a lot of time on the interweb, and we think you may do too hence our beautiful readership. We also have a teeny obsession with all things Brown. Not the colour, or the drug, rather the Ian. My colleague Steven and I have traced through various video fodder to bring you the best of what YouTube has to offer for good King Monkey. It’s a delicate combination of procrastination, pop culture knowledge and preparing for a potential pub quiz moment.
So Ladies and Gentleman, Mr Ian Brown….
The Works with Anthony Wilson – 2001
Opening by comparing a Hunter S Thompson Las Vegas quote to standing on a hill in Widnes over looking Spike Island, Tony ‘Mr Manchester’Wilson tells how the work of Ian Brown gave birth to the youth culture of the 90’s. Quite right too. Brown himself admits he ‘shouldn’t be here, I’m no Bowie’, but throughout the course of the short programme reveals himself to be an astute, knowledgable, inspired musician. Completely at ease with Wilson, who apologises for not signing him to Factory in the 80’s, he chats freely and honestly about his musical journey. Wilson clearly has a respect for the mans talent, and the interview is a delicate example of how to get the best out of Ian Brown, who sounds so very smart it almost takes you aback. Ahead of the release of his 2001 release, Music of the Spheres.
Later With Jools Holland – Ian Brown Interview 2004
We meet Ian gently tinkling the keys pre performance on the iconic programme. When asked about his tastes, he typically plays away from guitar based artists and expresses his love for Hip Hop (joyously telling us how he smoked a joint with…well that would be telling), which when you really listen to his complicated lyrical structure it’s not hard to see the resemblance. Having just played Longsight M13 he states how every other important city had a track, so wrote a homage to his original playing ground (home to the International back in the day). Holland and Brown sound like a couple of old mates catching up over a pint, a lovely few minutes of insightful friendly banter.
Classic Brownie Interview on T4 With Muppet Steve Jones
A lesson on how to annoy the shit of out Ian Brown. He and Clint Boon are chilling on the sofa ready to talk about their upcoming collaboration. Steve Jones was clearly believing that he was the great Welsh hope of yoof TV, and proceeds to wind up Brown (and a grimacing Boon) by being more interested in getting them to have a dance off then the answers to his frankly ridiculous questions. Quote of the interview; ‘Do you want me to knock you from here or up there?’. You can actually see the moment Jones’testicles crawl inside him for shelter. Priceless.
A Brush With Fame, Ian Brow of The Stone Roses
One of the more obscurer concepts for a television show, former art forger John Myatt paints celebs in the style of a famous artist, and has a good old chinwag at the same time. In this episode Myatt paints a portrait of Brown in the style of Cezanne, and although the painting itself is wonderful, the real highlight is the bond borne of the pairs’conversation. Myatt very articulately compares Cezannes painting style to music composition, which reveals Browns almost childlike inquisitiveness. It’s really nice to see Brown asking more of the questions this time, seeing him relaxed and in control of a situation. The chat about shared prison experiences is a real highlight.
Ian Brown – I Wanna Be Adored
Having vehemently denied that The Roses would ever get back together in this lifetime, Brown is still a man of the people, and knows to give them what they want. So, as part of his 2005 Glastonbury set he included a few songs fans genuinely thought they’d never here live again – and they loved it. But what’s even better is how alive Brown looks on stage performing his own standard, looking more comfortable perhaps than at some of The Roses own performances. A true treat.
Jo Whiley Show
Jo Whiley is doing her ‘cooler than thou’thing, Cerys Matthews is giggling like a teenager, Ian McCulloch is being obscurely cool. In amongst this rabble of all that is pastiche and self indulgence, Ian Brown is like a breath of fresh air, firing off razor sharp comments that cut through the bullshit. Whiley is often more interested in drug banter then music, Brown responds with a distinct disinterest in illicit substances and tries to bring it back to the tunes. Alas he’s pretty much the only one. This grainy video is pretty much like looking into a wormhole of 90’s past, very strange, it’s almost alien now…I mean, they’re smoking on television! Give it a whir, I feel dizzy.
UNKLE ft Ian Brown on TOTP
Yes that’s right, a Top of the Pops link! In previous interviews Brown talks about wanting his music to sound really modern, cutting edge and new. In this UNKLE collaboration, Brown’s melodic drone sounds haunting over the top of the machine-like beats, very modern. He also looks rather beautifully George Harrison-esque in his linen attire. Great song, great moment.
Ian Brown Kicking Off At The Crowd
Man throws ice cube at Ian Brown, man lives to regret this. Assertively telling the crowd ‘next time anyone throws anything, I’m off’, and based on even the 2012 Roses gigs we know this is no lie. The crowd settle down like naughty school kids when asked if there are ‘anymore heroes’. And once he knows they’re back on his side we hear the thundering bass line of the next song, I bet he was worth the wait.
Dynamo 2014 Magic With Ian Brown
Prior to watching this i had never seen Dynamo, but he seems like a top lad. He and Browny do a lovely bit of magical messing around, bringing out that lovely wonder in Ian’s eyes. Adorable and mystical!
Kate Tittley
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