While in high school in 1978, Innes was the guitarist for a Glasgow punk band called The Drains.

He met Alan McGee and Bobby Gillespie when they had joined the band.

[3] As Alan McGee went on to form Creation Records and the band, Biff Bang Pow!, Innes formed Revolving Paint Dream with his then-girlfriend Christine Wanless in 1983.

[4] Revolving Paint Dream released two singles and two albums between 1984 and 1989 on Creation.

While a member of Revolving Paint Dream, Innes joined his former bandmate, Bobby Gillespie, in Primal Scream as second guitarist in 1987.