The Seahorses were an English band, best known as the post-Stone Roses project of guitarist John Squire.

History

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Formed in 1996, The Seahorses leaned more towards guitar-driven music than the dancehall rock of Stone Roses. For the band, Squire picked 3 complete unknowns from obscurity. First to join was the bassist Stuart Fletcher who Squire saw standing in for a friend in a York pub band called The Blueflies, next was the lead vocalist Chris Helme (who a friend of Squire's had spotted busking outside Woolworths, also in York), with drummer Andy Watts, who also provided backing vocals, being the last to join.

Their one and only album, Do it Yourself, was produced by Tony Visconti, for Geffen Records in June 1997, and received varied reviews. One of the songs on the album, "Love Me and Leave Me", was co-written with Liam Gallagher of Oasis, with whom the Seahorses toured in 1997.

Shortly before the release of the single "Love Me And Leave Me", it was announced that drummer Andy Watts was leaving the group to spend more time with his family. It was later brought to light in an online interview with Watts that he was asked to leave by the bands lawyer's on behalf of the band, because they didn't approve of the drummer's behavior on tour, didn't feel his drumming was up to scratch and didn't fit in with the desired image for the band. Watts was eventually replaced by Mark Heaney and played several secret gigs showcasing new material destined for a second album. However, the group disbanded in 1999 during recording sessions. It is believed that Helme was showing more interest in pursuing a solo career off the back of his involvement with Squire than working on the 2nd album and John Squire walked out of the sessions.

The name The Seahorses is often claimed to be an anagram of the phrase He Hates Roses. Squire, however, has claimed in interviews that the band was named after a large fiberglass seahorse which Squire bumped his head against while leaving a pub on the very day he announced his departure from The Stone Roses. The name is also said to be derived from a link with the Seahorse Hotel near to the York Barbican Centre

Following the demise of The Seahorses John Squire released several albums as a solo artist. Stuart Fletcher and Chris Helme currently play together in semi-pro outfit The Yards who play pub gigs around their hometown of York, Fletcher also plays with former Shed Seven frontman Rick Witter in his new band Rick Witter & The Dukes.

Discography

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Albums

• Do it Yourself (1997)
• Minus Blue (Unreleased) (1999)

Singles

• "Love Is the Law" (April 1997)
• "Blinded by the Sun" (July 1997)
• "Love Me and Leave Me" (September 1997)
• "You Can Talk to Me" (December 1997)

External links

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• John Squire's official site - Includes Seahorses Discography
• JSU - Includes loads of Seahorses info, pics, music, etc.
• Seahorses Mini-site - Contains Seahorses biography, footage, tracks etc.

The Stone Roses | English musical groups | Buskers | Music from Manchester, England