Primal Scream Celebrates Simone Marie Butler's Legacy Following Departure
Primal Scream has released a heartfelt statement praising Simone Marie Butler's contributions after her departure from the band, acknowledging her positive impact and musicianship.
Primal Scream has publicly acknowledged Simone Marie Butler’s departure from the band, expressing their gratitude for her contributions over the past thirteen years. The band lauded her “positive energy” and “committed musicianship”.
Butler initially joined the iconic group in 2012, stepping in after Mani's exit, who had rejoined The Stone Roses. She announced her departure on Wednesday, January 28th, via social media, stating she would “always be part of the scream family”.
The band's statement read: “We had thirteen fabulous years with Simone. During her time with us she brought positive energy, feminine glamour and committed musicianship to the band.
“Her warmth of character, kindness and gentleness lit up proceedings wherever we found ourselves in the world. We have a lot of great memories and she will forever be part of the Scream family. We wish her the best of luck and good fortune in her future adventures.”
The post was signed by Bobby Gillespie, Andrew Innes, and Darrin Mooney, who wrote: “We love you Simone.”
Upon announcing her exit, Butler reflected on her time with Primal Scream via Instagram, describing it as “an amazing ride with genuinely beautiful people”.
She shared that she experienced “so so many incredible times, laughs and experiences. That’s the dream right there. Bobby [Gillespie], Andrew [Innes] and the band are incredible musicians and people.”
Butler added: “Going forward I will no longer be playing with the band and shall miss that, but I truly wish them all the very best for the future. I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of this band for so long, to have travelled the entire world, to meet the most amazing people and amazing fans and to play music I love and learn so much from the guys as musicians and performers. It’s been an incredible learning curve.
“Primal Scream’s music meant a lot to me even before I was playing those iconic bass lines and when I got that call to audition it felt like divine timing so I’d like to thank Bobby and Andrew for taking a chance on me all those years ago. I love you all and although not on stage, I’ll always be part of the scream family.”
Notably, Butler did not perform at Primal Scream’s recent ‘XTRMNTR’ album shows, one of which stirred controversy due to accusations of antisemitism. Subsequently, a show at Trentham Estate was cancelled.
She did, however, perform at Manchester’s Warehouse Project shortly after Mani’s death, where Primal Scream paid tribute to their former bassist with a performance of ‘I’m Losing More Than I’ll Ever Have’ in his hometown.
Butler also conveyed her grief following Mani’s passing: “Truly in shock at this. An incredible loss to everyone who knew and loved him. The moment u met Mani u loved him. The most brilliant and wickedly sharp sense of humour and the biggest heart and generosity. The smile in that first pics was so absolutely him. He called me his scorpio bass sister. My heart is breaking for his boys, family and loved ones. Was meant to see him tmro in Manchester.
“A terrible and sad loss. An amazing person, so so loved by everyone all over the world X just heartbreaking.”
More recently, she spoke about his funeral: “Today was the most palpable testament of how much love one person can spread just by being their truly genuine brilliant self. Words of love said by every single person, people gathering in the streets to make it known how much Mani meant to them, fans on scooters leading the cortège.”
She added: “When I joined the Scream and Mani started to come and watch shows I’d be tentatively hanging in the dressing room while his jokes and laughter set the tone and thinking to myself ‘Jesus don’t fk anything up tonight’ and then one night he came out with ‘you go and smash it sister I fkin love you, but it is like watching yer ex bird being fkd by the new guy’. We all burst into laughter and I knew at that point he was a stone cold legend.”
In 2021, she created a film about homeless people and their pets entitled Year Of The Dog, and spoke to NME about it’s creation at the time, saying her goal had been to “challenge the stigma that comes along with homelessness and rough sleepers, and these people owning dogs”.
"As a friend said to me a while back,” she added, “one minute you’ve got a dog and the next you’ve got a member of the family who you’d die for. In a situation of being homeless, people can be devoid of human interaction and connection, but the dog and the community that it brings gives them a sense of belonging. I can’t imagine a lonelier or more dangerous place than being on the streets, so that relationship is so important.”
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