The Stone Roses never recorded a new album during their reunion because “no one” wanted to make it.
The ‘I Am The Resurrection’ indie rock legends released their self titled debut LP in 1989 before dropping the follow-up ‘Second Coming’ five years later in 1994, but a third record never materialised, even after Ian Brown, John Squire, Mani and Reni got back together in 2011.
The band did release two singles in 2016, ‘All for One’ and ‘Beautiful Thing’, to a muted response.
Asked about the lack of new record in the six years they were back together, John told Guitarist magazine: “Well, no one wanted to do it – so it turned out to not be that frustrating at all.”
The 61-year-old musician admitted if the group had recorded a third album, he thinks his own guitar playing would have been much better by this stage in his life.
He pondered: “Probably more measured and respectful. I wish I hadn’t overdone the guitar on that second album.
“With this record [with Liam Gallagher], I’ve tried to keep out of the way of the vocal.
“This is a better guitar performance than the other records – and it should be, given the amount of years I’ve been playing.”
When it comes to areas he could improve as a guitarist, he candidly admitted he’s always picking holes in his own skills.
He said: “All of them. I’m driven by failure. When I listen to my stuff, I tend to focus on the imperfections.”
However, there are still certain “tricks” and techniques he falls back on even now, and he’s noticed now other guitarists embrace the same skills decades later.
He explained: “That choppy thing I do [plays the ‘Resurrection’ outro], I’m still doing that.
“I was in LA and this guy came running up and said, ‘I can’t believe you’re here! I modelled my whole guitar style after you! I bought a Gretsch Country Gentleman and I do that funky thing.’
“I’m still using that trick and probably a lot of others.”