Supergrass

Supergrass

From left to right: Gaz Coombes, Danny Goffey and Mick Quinn at Roundhouse, London, 14 March 2008
Background information
Origin Oxford, England
Genres Alternative rock
Britpop
Years active 1993–2010
Labels Parlophone, Capitol, Supergrass Records, Cooking Vinyl
Associated acts The Jennifers
Diamond Hoo Ha Men
The Hotrats
22-20s
Website Official website
Members
Gaz Coombes
Danny Goffey
Mick Quinn
Rob Coombes

Supergrass were an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz (guitar and lead vocals) and Rob Coombes (keyboards), Danny Goffey (drums and backing vocals), and Mick Quinn (bass and backing vocals).

The main trio formed in 1993 in Oxford with Gaz's brother Rob Coombes occasionally brought in as keyboard player on recordings (but never live, initially). The band released their first single "Caught by the Fuzz" in October 1994 on the Parlophone label. The single reached number 43 in the UK Singles Chart, but didn't manage to chart in the US. Supergrass followed up with their debut full-length album I Should Coco in May 1995. The album reached number one in the UK where it stayed for three weeks.[1] The band's second album In It for the Money (1997) was the first album to be produced entirely by Supergrass and it peaked at number two. Their third self-titled album Supergrass (1999) (often referred to as "the X-ray" album due to the picture on the sleeve) peaked at number three in the UK albums chart. Their fourth album, Life On Other Planets (2002) was the first to include Rob Coombes as an official member of the band, who until then was employed on a session and touring basis. The album peaked at number nine in the UK album charts.

In 2004 the band released a singles compilation entitled Supergrass Is 10 to celebrate ten years since the band formed. This was available on CD and DVD format. The DVD version featured a documentary film in which the band members recall moments during their career in the group. This also shows behind the scenes footage of recording sessions and live performances. Road to Rouen (2005) the fifth studio from the band was difficult for the band due to personal reasons including Danny Goffey's tabloid ordeal and the death of the Coombes' mother. This album also peaked at number nine in the UK album charts. Diamond Hoo Ha (2008) is the sixth album from the band and only peaked at number 19 in the UK album charts which makes the release their lowest charting album to date. In 2008, Supergrass ended their contract with EMI, instead resorting to releasing the single 'Rebel In You' independently on 'Supergrass Records'. Supergrass signed to Cooking Vinyl in August 2009 and are supposed to be working on their 7th studio album Release the Drones which was due for release in January 2011. The band announced that, due to musical and creative differences, that they had broken up on 12 April 2010[2]. The group disbanded after a series of farewell gigs, with the final one on 11 June 2010 in Paris.[3]

Contents

History

The Jennifers and formation (1990–1993)

Supergrass' origins lay in the band The Jennifers, which featured a then 16-year-old Gaz Coombes on vocals and Danny Goffey on drums, who was at the time 18 years old. The band played gigs at various venues around Oxfordshire, often public houses and clubs. One pub the band played at was the Jericho Tavern in Oxford. The band enjoyed enough success to release one single in 1992, "Just Got Back Today", on Nude Records before they disbanded.

When Coombes began working at the local Harvester he befriended aforementioned co-worker Mick Quinn, another alumnus of Wheatley Park School. The two realised they had a common interest in music and Coombes invited Quinn to come and jam with himself and Goffey. In February 1993 they formed Theodore Supergrass with Goffey on drums, Quinn on bass guitar and Coombes taking both lead vocal and guitar. "We had about five different names before that, but then we played this one show in Oxford and it got a write-up in the local magazine, a really good write-up, and we thought if we changed the name again people weren’t going to turn up because they wouldn’t know it was the same band so we ended up being stuck with Theodore Supergrass. And then we realized that Theodore was a bit rubbish so we took that off." Said Mick Quinn.[4]

Danny claims that the name was his idea and says; "Although the others will dispute it, it was me. We were Theodore Supergrass and the idea was the band would be a little black character, and we wouldn't ever have to do interviews. We'd get the questions in advance, script the answers and then animate Theodore Supergrass answering them. But it cost too much money." [5]

The brother of Gaz, Rob Coombes, a keyboard player, expressed interest and also started working with the band and was featured on most of the band's first three albums. However, he wasn't introduced as a band member until almost a decade later. The band's early material is credited to "Supergrass and Rob Coombes". Their first gig was at the Jericho Tavern, Oxford in front of record company A&R people who attended, following publicity generated by recording an acclaimed demo at Sawmills Studio in Cornwall.[6]

Britpop years and stardom (1994–1998)

In mid-1994, Supergrass issued their debut single "Caught by the Fuzz" on the small independent local label Backbeat Records. The song recounts lead singer and guitarist Gaz Coombes' experience of being arrested and cautioned by police in possession of cannabis.[6][7] The limited release of vinyl copies sold out quickly, thanks in part to support from John Peel on his Radio One show.[8][9] The Parlophone label signed the band and re-released the single in the autumn of the same year. It achieved the rare feat of both NME and Melody Maker "Single Of The Week" status in the same week.[6]

"Mansize Rooster", released in February 1995, peaked at number 20 in the UK Single Charts and "Lenny" just made it into the top 10. "Lenny" was followed soon afterwards by the band's debut album, I Should Coco (May 1995), which entered the UK Album Charts at number one. It achieved a half-a-million sales in the UK and 990,000 worldwide.[10] NME reviewer Steve Sutherland gave the album a nine out of ten rating, writing, "These freaks shall inherit the earth."[11] The album's fourth single, the double A-side release "Alright"/"Time", stayed in British Top Three for a month, peaking at number two.

Supergrass followed I Should Coco with 18 months of heavy touring, appearing at festivals such as Scotland's T In The Park and the Glastonbury Festival.[12][13] After Performing in Rio's Hollywood Rock Festival in April 1996, Supergrass met the infamous train robber Ronnie Biggs, and apparently said to him, "I was frightened for my life when I heard there was a supergrass in the area."[14] A photograph of Ronnie Biggs and Gaz together was subsequently included in the music video for their single release of the same year, "Going Out". "Going Out" was a success peaking at number five in the UK charts and sold more than 100,000 units. Having taken a short break in 1996, Supergrass returned to Sawmills Studio to work on In It For The Money (released April 1997), produced by the band themselves with John Cornfield. The album was a critical and commercial success, it also has since gone platinum in the UK. But some were confused by the darker sound.[15] The single, "Richard III" reached number two. Subsequent releases, "Sun Hits the Sky" and "Late In The Day" reached numbers 10 and 18 respectively.

Around this time Supergrass also appeared on the front cover of The Big Issue, interviewed for the magazine at Heathrow Airport by infamous ex-drug smuggler Howard Marks.[16]

Further musical growth (1999–2004)

The band again took a short break before returning in 1999 with the single "Pumping on Your Stereo". The promo video, produced in conjunction with the Jim Henson's Creature Shop, featured the band with comical "muppet" bodies. The single generated welcome publicity following their time out of the limelight, as did a small sold-out tour scheduled around the single release, the final night of which was at Shepherds Bush Empire as part of MTV's "Five Night Stand" festival. The single and the tour were followed by their third LP Supergrass (1999). The following spring the record was released in the U.S Once more, the album was recorded at Sawmills Studio with longtime associate Cornfield producing. Supergrass was well received critically and commercially and it has since gone platinum in the UK, but did not reap the same level of success as its predecessors. Critics claimed the album was "hit and miss" which showed up particularly as the "also-rans are surrounded by songs that are as great as anything Supergrass has ever recorded"[17]. Their next single, "Moving", proved popular and reached the Top Ten in the UK. And their third single, "Mary" entered the Top 40. There followed a long hiatus.

After three years out of the limelight, the band returned with Life on Other Planets (September 2002). Though the record was not as commercially successful as Supergrass' first three albums - failing to make the Top Three in the UK album chart - given their extended absence, the album's highest placing at number nine was respectable. However, the critical response to the album was generally very positive, with Stephen Thomas Erlewine from allmusic claiming "The world is a better place for having Supergrass in it." [18]. It has since gone gold in the UK. Life on Other Planets was also notable as it was the first Supergrass album to recognise Rob Coombes as an official member. For the band's first three albums, Supergrass officially consisted of Gaz Coombes, Goffey and Quinn although Rob Coombes contributed to many of the band's songs and videos, and toured with them. Tracks recorded before this were often credited to "Supergrass and Rob Coombes". The band followed Life on Other Planets with another extended three-year hiatus, devoting to touring and personal engagements.

In June 2004 they issued the "greatest hits" compilation Supergrass Is 10 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the band's formation. The record entered the UK album chart at number four and has since gone gold in the UK.

Development in recent years (2005–2008)

The band couldn't celebrate the decade with a new album, as the recording of their fifth studio album was subject to much turbulence. Deciding to depart from Sawmills Studio, they built a new studio for the sessions in the French countryside.[19] Setbacks continued when the Coombes brothers lost their mother. As a result, the band's fifth album, Road to Rouen, was delayed and was not released in Europe until August 2005, and the following month in North America. It reached #9 on the UK charts and has since gone silver in the UK. "St. Petersburg", the first single supporting the album, made a disappointing debut at #22 in the UK singles chart. The second single, "Low C", also underperformed, entering outside the top 40, and third single, "Fin" failed to make the top 75 altogether (charting at number 111), though it was only released as a 7" vinyl and digital download. The band toured the world in an extensive schedule for about a year from August 2005 to September 2006, visiting Japan, South America, USA and Europe.

The band recorded their sixth studio album Diamond Hoo Ha in spring 2007 with producer Nick Launey at Hansa Tonstudio, Berlin, with mixing at Seedy Underbelly Studios in Los Angeles. The band toured in the summer 2007, headlining Guilfest among others and debuting new material, with the youngest sibling of the Coombes brothers ex-22-20s keyboardist Charly on second guitar, percussion and backing vocals.

In September 2007 bassist Mick Quinn sustained two broken vertebrae and a broken heel in a sleepwalking accident whilst on holiday in France. During his recouperation Gaz and Danny formed the Diamond Hoo Ha Men to promote first single "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" with a run of small club shows in December/January. Charly directed Glange Fever (under pseudonym Chas Harrison) a rockumentary which follows their exploites. Charly also deputised for Mick Quinn on keyboard bass for two Christmas shows at Oxford Town Hall. Single "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" appeared as a free live song on the band's website but was released on 7" vinyl, limited to 1,500 copies, on 14 January 2008. Mick Quinn returned the very next day to play a gig at the Apple Store, Regents Street in London[20] describing it as a "life affirming experience". "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" also features in the video game Need for Speed: Undercover as a song that plays while racing.

In February 2008, the video of their second single "Bad Blood" was released on the band's official web-sites, winning Best Rock Video at the UK Music Video Awards and the single followed on 17 March. From January till December 2008, the band toured worldwide supporting the Foo Fighters across America and headlining tours in the UK, Europe and Australia. Charly Coombes continued to play live with the band on second guitar and also directed tour videos under the name of Chas Harrison, releasing them on the internet.

In 2008, on returning from their tour of the USA to promote Diamond Hoo Ha, Supergrass ended their contract with EMI. This was due to the lack of funding from the label for their single "Rebel In You", with the band releasing it through their newly formed independent label 'Supergrass Records'.[21]

Independent careers and breakup (2009-2010)

The band headlined Wychwood Festival on 30 May and also Sellindge Music Festival (6 June), Provinssirock Festival (13 June) and a short European treck in July at BBK Live (10 July) at Bilbao, Bikini Festival (11 July) in Toulouse, Festival Les Ardentes (12 July [22]) in Liège (Belgium) and Paredes de Coura Festival (30 July) in Portugal. Also a co-headlining date at this year's Truck Festival along with Ash, on 25 July and 26 at Hill Farm in Steventon, Oxfordshire.

On 12 April 2010, the band announced they would split after a series of four farewell shows, with their final gig in Paris on 11 June 2010.

At the time of the split, Supergrass were working on their seventh studio album, tentatively titled 'Release the Drones'. In early 2010, the band revealed that the album had been influenced by krautrock bands such as Can, and drone music, and that the members had swapped instruments on several tracks during its recording.[23] Coombes said of the approach to the album: "This record's actually been very collaborative. It's been cool to try something different and chaotic."[24] Coombes stated that the album was "nearly finished", and it was scheduled for released in May.[25] It is not known if the album will be released.[3]

Solo projects

During 1998, Coombes and Quinn were invited to play on Dr John's Anutha Zone album (they appear on the track "Voices In My Head")[26], whilst Goffey contributed to the debut album by Lodger (which also featured his partner Pearl Lowe and members of the band Delicatessen).

Danny Goffey has also embarked on a solo project between Supergrass engagements called "Van Goffey" which saw tracks being released via MySpace in August 2006, the first three being "Crack House Blues", "I Feel so Gaye" and "Natalie Loves the F". He plays drums on the charity football song "Born In England" by a collective of musicians called Twisted X, which charted at number 8 in the UK Charts in 2004. Danny Goffey was also a drummer in the 2004 charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?", along with members of Radiohead and The Darkness under the name Band Aid 20.[27]

In July 2008, Coombes joined Foo Fighters on stage during a show that saluted The Who's musical career, VH1 Rock Honors. Coombes performed vocals on The Who's classic song "Bargain".

In 2007 and 2008, while Mick Quinn was still recuperating from his injury, Danny Goffey and Gaz Coombes were performing as the duo Diamond Hoo Ha Men, the name taken from the band's sixth album and its lead single (see above).[28] They appeared in character as Duke Diamond and Randy Hoo Ha to play gigs at small venues. Gigs included an appearance at the Apple Store on London's Regent Street, which featured Mick Quinn's first appearance in the band since his injury. He appeared on stage introduced by Gaz as Biff Hymen.[29]

Goffey and Coombes are currently undergoing a new side-project under the name The Hotrats (originally The Hot Rats). They released an album of covers produced by Nigel Godrich called Turn Ons in 25 January 2010. A cover of "Drive My Car" by The Beatles appears in an advert for Orange, a fragrance by Hugo Boss.[30] Since Supergrass announced they were to split, The Hotrats have joined with Air to perform The Virgin Suicides live for the first time, over several concert dates.[31][32]

Mick Quinn formed the dB Band in May 2010 with bassist/guitarist Fab and Australian session drummer Miikey Dean-Smith. The trio have performed at The Luminaire in London and at The Bear Inn, Oxford where they were joined on stage by a harmonica player to perform original track "Bus Stop Shuffle".[33] The band describe their music as Spanish/Cowboy/Spacerock but are also known to cover the Yardbirds "Stroll On".

Discography

Awards

Year Ceremony Award Result
1995 Ivor Novello Awards Best Contemporary Song (Alright) Won[34]
1995 Mercury Prize Best Album (I Should Coco) Nominated[35]
1995 NME Awards Best New Band Won[36]
1995 Q Awards Best New Act Won[37]
1996 BRIT Awards British Breakthrough Act Won[38]
1996 Silver Clef Awards New Music Won[39]
1998 BRIT Awards Best British Video (Late In The Day) Nominated[40]
2000 BRIT Awards Best British Video (Pumping on Your Stereo) Nominated[41]
2008 UK Music Video Awards Best Rock Video (Bad Blood) Won

References

  1. ↑ "Number 1 Albums - 1990s". Every Hit - Go to 1995 section. http://www.everyhit.com/numberalb5.html. Retrieved 2008-05-21. 
  2. ↑ http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hz8lc5932FrCu_TgExj8M9_iqDcA
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 BBC Newsbeat: Supergrass Split
  4. ↑ Reuter, Annie (2008-07-20). "Q&A with Mick Quinn of Supergrass". Blogger. http://yousingiwrite.blogspot.com/2008/07/q-with-mick-quinn-of-supergrass.html. Retrieved 2008-07-30. 
  5. ↑ The Strange Ones Supergrass Site
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Supergrass". The Biography Channel. http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/1284:1499/1/Supergrass.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-05. 
  7. ↑ "Going Underground 476". Going Underground on Gouwestad Radio. 2008-07-11. No. 476.
  8. ↑ The Strange Ones Supergrass Site
  9. ↑ John Peel's Festive 50's - 1977 - 2003
  10. ↑ The Strange Ones Supergrass Site
  11. ↑ Sutherland, Steve. I Should Coco review. NME. 13 May 1995.
  12. ↑ "Line-ups - T in the Park 2000". efestivals. http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/titp/2000/stages.shtml. 
  13. ↑ "Supergrass Replace Libertines". Glastonbury Festival. http://archive.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/news/+supergrassreplac/index.html. 
  14. ↑ The Strange Ones Supergrass Site
  15. ↑ Supergrass - In It For The Money MP3 Downloads - 7digital
  16. ↑ Supergrass - guest program
  17. ↑ Supergrass Supergrass
  18. ↑ allmusic ((( Life on Other Planets > Overview )))
  19. ↑ BBC - Southampton Music - Supergrass
  20. ↑ "Tour Diary". 2008-01-15. http://www.childrenofthemonkeybasket.com/diary_2008/01_UK_Jan_April/01_Apple_Instore/index.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-15. 
  21. ↑ Johnson, Neala (2008-10-03). "Supergrass on new album Diamond Hoo Ha, and freedom from EMI". Herald Sun. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24440906-5006024,00.html. Retrieved 2008-10-11. 
  22. ↑ [1]
  23. ↑ "SUPERGRASS WORKING ON 'DRONE ROCK' ALBUM", UNCUT, retrieved 2010-05-01
  24. ↑ Murray, Robin (2010) "Supergrass Experiment on New Album", Clash, 26 January 2010, retrieved 2010-05-01
  25. ↑ "Gaz and Danny still with Supergrass", Belfast Telegraph, 21 January 2010, retrieved 2010-05-01
  26. ↑ The Strange Ones Supergrass Site
  27. ↑ "Band Aid 20". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3403991. 
  28. ↑ "Supergrass announce tour under alias". NME. http://www.nme.com/news/supergrass/32967. 
  29. ↑ "Apple Instore - Regents Street, London 15 January 2008". Children of the Monkey Basket. http://www.childrenofthemonkeybasket.com/diary_2008/01_UK_Jan_April/01_Apple_Instore/. 
  30. ↑ "Official Homepage of The Hot Rats". http://www.thehotrats.com/. Retrieved 2009-06-20 
  31. ↑ Soligny, Jérôme (2010-05). "AIR ET HOT RATS (SUPERGRASS) JOUENT "THE VIRGIN SUICIDES"". Cite de la Musique. http://www.citedelamusique.fr/francais/evenement.aspx?id=10175. Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
  32. ↑ Massé, Antoine (2010-05-20). "Air and the Hot Rats". Breizhmag. http://www.breizhmag.tv/Air-and-the-Hot-Rats_a540.html. Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
  33. ↑ "dB Band". http://www.dbband.com/. Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
  34. ↑ "Award winning Supergrass". BBC Suffolk. http://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/entertainment/music/V2002/v2002_supergrass.shtml. 
  35. ↑ "All the nominees and winners of the prize since 1992". rocklistmusic.co.uk. http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/murcurytechnics.htm. 
  36. ↑ "1995 NME Awards Winners". NME.com. http://www.nmeawards.com/awardshistory/1995. 
  37. ↑ "The Q Awards 1995". Q. January 1996. http://www.strangeones.co.uk/press/articles/mq960100.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-31. 
  38. ↑ "Winners list 1996". BRIT Awards. http://www.brits.co.uk/shows/archive-73/. Retrieved 2008-06-16. 
  39. ↑ "Winners For All Years" (PDF). nordoff-robbins.org.uk. http://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/fundraising/documents/WinnersforallYears_000.pdf. 
  40. ↑ "Nominations for 1998 Brit Awards". London: BBC News Online. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/46902.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-24. 
  41. ↑ "Brits 2000: The winners". London: BBC News Online. 2000-03-03. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/entertainment/2000/brit_awards/625884.stm. Retrieved 2008-06-16. 

Further reading

External links

Supergrass
Gaz Coombes · Rob Coombes · Danny Goffey · Mick Quinn
Studio albums
I Should Coco · In It for the Money · Supergrass · Life on Other Planets · Road to Rouen · Diamond Hoo Ha
Compilations and DVDs
Supergrass Is 10
Singles
"Caught by the Fuzz" · "Mansize Rooster" · "Lose It" · "Lenny" · "Alright"/"Time" · "Going Out" · "Richard III" · "Sun Hits the Sky" · "Late in the Day" · "Cheapskate" · "Pumping on Your Stereo" · "Moving" · "Mary" · "Never Done Nothing Like That Before" · "Grace" · "Seen the Light" · "Rush Hour Soul" · "Kiss of Life" · "St. Petersburg" · "Low C" · "Fin" · "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" · "Bad Blood" · "Rebel In You"
Other releases
Just Got Back Today · We Still Need More (Than Anyone Can Give)
Related persons
Dom and Nic · Charly Coombes
Related articles
Discography · The Jennifers · The Hotrats (Turn Ons) · Britpop · Cool Britannia