Bobby Gillespie doesn't know anything about Primal Scream's new bassist.

The group recently announced Simone Butler would permanently replace departed musician Mani - who quit to rejoin the Stone Roses - and the singer only cared that the former Yellowire bassist was a good musician.

He said: ''I don't know where she's from, I don't know how old she is, I don't even know if she's played in bands before.

''But she looks right for Primal Scream and she's a great musician.''

Simone's audition involved attending one of the group's rehearsals and Bobby was impressed with how well she handled the challenge.

He told NME magazine: ''It takes a lot of balls to stand in a room and do that. We asked her to learn three songs. She turned up and she'd learned 20.''

The 'Rocks' singer also insisted the group never expected Mani to return.

Asked if they thought Mani would be back, Bobby said: ''Nah, it's like a football team - if a player leaves, you get another good player for the next season.''