TOM SHEEHAN worked for three years as CBS Records' first in-house photographer. His love for the music press led to him spending many years as a successful and respected freelancer (for NME, Sounds and Record Mirror) before committing to Melody Maker.
Tom's work has been featured in Uncut, The Times, The Guardian, Rolling Stone and countless international titles, photographing such artists as Madonna, U2, Beastie Boys, The Smiths, Oasis, and Radiohead. Included among his body of work is a session with The Stone Roses and several in their respective solo projects. I asked Tom if he could write about three photos featured on his website: one of The Stone Roses, one of John Squire and the other of Primal Scream (featuring Mani). Thanks very much to Tom for taking the time to write this piece. Included in the interview is an unpublished Ian Brown extract, which may feature in a book Tom plans to put together of his work.
The Stone Roses, Valentine Studios, London SE1.
This was taken to Melody Maker. In fact, it was the first music paper cover they had. At the editorial meeting it was decided to put them on the cover – there were some doubts as the record hadn’t been out, or was just about out. I remember Bob Stanley being quite vocal about them being on the cover. Allan Jones the editor agreed. I myself wasn’t convinced at the time. I’d heard only one track and I thought it was like Status Quo when they went psychedelic (younger readers ask your grandad !). It wasn’t until I heard the whole album that I got it. For some time after I was playing the album to death ! And still give it a blast once in a while. It’s a great album.
When it came to doing the session, I asked if John could bring some of his artwork. I did one shot shooting them through a perspex sheet that John had ‘splattered’ a la Pollock. Them being from up north and me from the sarf, there was that usual North v South banter going on. Reni was giving it the “so have you heard any of our music ?” I heard what he said but in my mind I heard a gauntlet hitting the ground. I said “… hmm… I like the one about a waterfall !” At this point, I knew I had a sparring partner for the rest of the session. He started banging on about cockney this and that. I pointed out that it had been many years since I photographed anyone wearing ‘Lionels’ (= ’Lionel Blairs’ = flares/bell bottoms). More fuel to the fire. It was a really good couple of hours. Needless to say, they hadn’t really done a ‘proper’ session before, so there were a few things they weren’t into. But overall it was a great session from my part, a good bit of verbal jousting and some good images at the end of it.
Ian Brown: “It’s the first proper photo session that we did. I remember he [Tommy] was up ladders. It was the first time anybody’s controlled the scene – ‘Be like this’ – composing the shots properly. And it was our first cover, too. It was in June ’89. Give me a week, give me a year, I’ll tell you what I was doing.
“He [Tommy] was full of beans. It was your studio, wasn’t it ? It had a petrol station in the front, didn’t it ?
“[Talking about the pout] I used to naturally go for pouting. You can see me doing it on that. Show the people ‘How beautiful he is’ !
John Squire, somewhere in Europe.
For a band that sometimes had a reputation of being a bit stand-offish, I have found them to be really chilled people. The thing with John is you have to remember what a creative guy he is. Not only for being a great British guitarist, but a bloody good artist. I went to the opening night of his exhibition at the ICA in London. A friend of mine, Patrick from The Vines, was gagging to meet him. I introduced them to each other, took a happy snap of the pair of them. Patrick was made up !
This shot of John shaving was taken out in Europe with The Seahorses for Melody Maker. I’d done some shots of John and Chris but wanted something that wasn’t just a shot of him leaning against a wall. He said he had to get ready for the gig so I suggested shooting him doing that ! So I shot him shaving. Needless to say he didn’t feel too good about it, but you gotta try something new once in a while.
It’s not the best picture of him, or one of the best I have taken, but at late Sunday afternoon somewhere in Europe, it was great. It was supposed to be an on the road feature, but we were only with them for a day. He was a sport to do it, but maybe regrets it now….. It’s only a photo !
Primal Scream, Primrose Hill, London.
This image was shot for Uncut Magazine. I’d done some shots of Bobby for the cover. When the Editor (Allan Jones) saw that Bob had his hair cut, he freaked ! He ended up using an old image of mine taken around the time of Screamadelica for the cover, fearing nobody would know who Bob was with his hair cut.
This trio shot was taken over the road from the pub. Mani has more energy than a dozen cats ! Maybe it was where they grew up or being in The Roses – whatever, they just seem to have a confidence without being flash. He is a dynamo – never stops and a very funny fucker, great company.
All images (c) Tom Sheehan. To visit Tom Sheehan's website, click here.