Mani (musician)

Career

Mounfield attended Xaverian College in Rusholme, Manchester. He developed an interest with darts, a sport he had come to champion throughout his career. He left school aged sixteen in 1979 and joined the band the Stone Roses (part of the "Madchester" music scene) in 1987. Playing on both of the band's albums, Mounfield was in the Stone Roses until they disbanded in 1996, shortly after the birth of his son. Mounfield was synonymous with a Rickenbacker 4005 Jackson Pollock-influenced paint-splattered bass guitar in the period after the Stone Roses debut album. He joined Primal Scream after Stone Roses disbanded. He claimed that Primal Scream were one of three other bands that he would be willing to join – the Jesus and Mary Chain and Oasis being the others. In 2003, with Damon Minchella having left Ocean Colour Scene, he toured with the band supporting the Stereophonics, and he also did a DJ set for Ocean Colour Scene at their December 2008 Manchester gig. He was a full-time Primal Scream member until 2012 when he left to rejoin the Stone Roses.

Mounfield has often been viewed as the most amiable member of the Roses, both while the band were still together and following their break-up. Whilst in the past he had claimed that the band would reform only after "Manchester City won the European Cup", he was also viewed as the most likely member to be up for a Roses reunion. During the band's split, he occasionally joined Ian Brown on stage for renditions of songs by the Stone Roses ("Waterfall", "Made of Stone", "I Am the Resurrection"), as happened in 2008 at Summercase Festival (in Madrid and Barcelona), when both Primal Scream and Brown were playing on the same day. Mounfield and ex-Stone Roses drummer Reni were interviewed for the Manchester Music show on BBC GMR whilst attending a gig by the Coral. Mounfield toured with the Enemy on their UK tour, which involved a rare partaking in backing vocals.

Mounfield has a guest role in the movie 24 Hour Party People (2002), and was in a supergroup band called Freebass with bass players Andy Rourke (ex-the Smiths) and Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order). Freebass disbanded before releasing its debut album, It's a Beautiful Life, in 2010.

Mounfield made a guest appearance on the STV fishing show Trout 'n About along with former Primal Scream guitarist Throb and presenters Gregor Rankine and Paul Campion as they go trout fishing at Drummond Trout Farm & Fishery in Scotland.

Mounfield appeared at the "Manchester Versus Cancer" event on 30 March 2007, performing a DJ set and appearing with Ian Brown for the finale, the Stone Roses' "I Am the Resurrection". He also appeared as a celebrity guest at the 2009 World Darts Championship. He made a guest appearance at Paul Weller's performance at the Manchester MEN arena on 4 December 2010, playing tambourine.

On 18 October 2011, after completing touring for the album Screamadelica with Primal Scream for most of that year, Mani revealed he had left Primal Scream to reform the Stone Roses, for the band's Reunion Tour. Ahead of the Heaton Park shows, Mani was asked if he would play for both Primal Scream and the Stone Roses on the same night, to which he replied; “No. You can’t ride two bikes with one arse.”

Personal life

Mounfield is an enthusiastic supporter of Manchester United. He regularly showcases his love for the team on the Sky One programme, Football Years, giving his views on football seasons of the past. He also revealed on Play UK programme Nu Music that he supports Manchester United in England and, although he is English, he was brought up to support Ireland. He has also appeared on the football programme Soccer AM, earning himself a "Hat-trick Ball" from the show as a result. He also supports Warrington RL team, influenced by Ian Brown who comes from Warrington.