Geffen away with it
Roses freed to pick up £20m deal

THE STONE ROSES have won the case brought against them by record label Silvertone/Zomba, and have signed a long-term deal with US label Geffen said to be worth a cool £20 million.

The legal battle, which has been raging in The Strand's High Court since March 4, climaxed on Monday. Presiding Judge Humphries declared their recording and publishing contracts with Silvertone/Zomba "entirely one-sided and unfair".

The band were not in court, but delighted manager and fellow defendant Gareth Evans told NME: "Gazza misses out, but The Roses clean up". According to sources inside The Roses' camp, the triumph was unexpected.

The Roses and Evans were awarded £100,000 costs, and the judge also permitted inquiry into damages suffered by the group while under temporary injunction banning them from recording for any other party. No inquiry will take place until Silvertone/Zomba have decided whether to appeal against the decision.

Silvertone/Zomba pleaded that the band were in breach of contract in seeking another deal (with Geffen), and wanted a court ruling obligating the band to record for them. The Roses claimed successfully that their oppressive contracts with the company were not enforceable by English law.

The Roses return to the studio this week to record the follow-up to their platinum '89 eponymous debut album. A spokesperson for the band told NME: "A single will be released as soon as humanly possible". According to insiders, lan Brown and co have already demo-ed enough material for a double album release.
Meanwhile a massive open-air comeback gig is reportedly being considered for sometime this year.

The band have been rehearsing in a West Wales studio during the last month, but insiders have expressed doubts whether a show could be staged before the summer is out. However, representatives for the band have reportedly viewed several prospective locations in the South of England in the last few weeks. Plans are also afoot to stage two major US gigs.