Just who are Supergrass? Well, if you don’t know then your teens may have been lacking from some serious ramshackle good times soundtrack! Yes there are some certain trademarks Supergrass will never shake, they’ll forever be immortalized by Britpop, upbeat melody and charm but, heavens… Supergrass have kept such a sound reputation… they’ve grown steadily on from 1994 when they first hit the Brit/indie pop scene from Oxford, England. And over the span of ten years they’ve continued to release five albums (which at the worst could only be considered very good) had seven hit singles (‘Caught by the Fuzz’, ‘Alright’, ‘Pumping on Your Stereo’, and ‘Moving’ to name a few) and shown an effortless capacity at transcending musical growth while being consistently intuitive to producing music that is always moving with us; it’s firmly connected them with delighted fans, industry and left them admired by their peers. Whilst traveling through on their North American tour, (prior to their fantastic performance at The Commodore), Cord had the opportunity to sit down with Supergrass’ Drummer, Danny Goffey and ‘chit-chat’ about some Supergrass memories…for what could be remembered! I think everyone present at this interview was just a little dazed…

Cord: So how are you doing?

Danny: I dunno. I’m alright, yeah. I’m a bit spaced out. End of the tour and I don’t know where I am to be honest.

C: Ahh. You’re in Vancouver.

D: I kind of realized that.

C: And how has it been so far?

D: It’s been great. Yeah, it’s been really good. We played in Seattle last night and it’s uh…very good.

C: You haven’t really been here (Vancouver) for a few years…

D: I know, we cancelled a gig here, yeah…

C: So were snowed in somewhere – it was really disappointing!

D: Oh yeah, that was when we did the last tour. I’m sorry. That’s why we put this gig on here! This wasn’t on the original tour, but we meant to finish it up here.

C: Ok, I’m going to ask some music questions!

D: What’s this for again?

C It’s for Cord. Andy here is the editor…

Andy: And photographer!

C: And photographer!

D: Do you smoke? (fanning smoke from our direction)

C: I do… (No need to fear the smoke then!) You’ve been around for nearly ten years now and you’re respected and admired and I wonder what’s been the main thing (looking back) that’s kept the band’s longevity and enjoy the music?

D: That’s really hard…just because we’ve all been to school together and we all kind of love each other in our own way and I can’t even think of not being in a band really. We really enjoy making albums and playing gigs. It’s been a good test this one, two weeks on a bus…it’s been good.

C: You’re always associated with Britpop and seems many bands from that time are quick to put it down and say it wasn’t as good as what it was made out to be, but surly there are some certain things you can reflect on and say “that was really good”!?

D: Yeah, I’ve never said…well, I don’t really understand Britpop to be honest. We were quite a young band coming out. But, yeah, we’ve got friends like Steve and Jarvis from Pulp, bands and all that. Yeah ’94 and 95’ – they were great. Things like V Festival. Virgin Festival, we did that in 1996 with Pulp and it was great. But they seem a bit finished those bands, apart from Oasis.

C: It seemed like a really good time for music and then there was this massive big lull and now there’s all these new bands popping up saying “we grew up on Britpop”! You must get something from it and you’re still making amazing music yourselves!

D: We’re still probably young enough to get away with it as we were so young when we started out!

C: You were! Teenagers?

D: Mmhmm. Gaz isn’t even 30 yet…

C: I didn’t mean it in that way! I know you’re young!

D: I dunno, maybe one day we’ll change and go our different ways.

C: Oh no, don’t! Just always be in Supergrass. People seem to like it – it’s your niche.

D: Well, yeah, dunno. Just keep writing songs…what? (Thinks someone’s calling him) Oh… I just feel really, really wired. I’ve just been asleep for three hours. I don’t even know who I am. Sorry…

C: That’s OK, we don’t even know who we are most of the time.

D: Yeah, who are you?! Get someone to come and tell us…

C: What was I going to ask now? Damn, I know it was a good question (laughter).

Andy: She hasn’t told me anything!

C: Oh yes! What it the album you look back on and say “that’s a favorite” (if there is a favorite – I’m sure you love them all)?

D: Well, maybe the first one just for the sheer sort-of fun and excitement of being in the studio the first time. That’s probably got the best memories. But I was listening to Life on Other Planets (I hardy ever listen any of the albums) But I was listening to that because I’ve just got this new IPod thing – I’m entering the technological state – I was listening to that the other day and it sounded great, so, that one as well. So, our first one and Life on Other Planets.

C: Do you still listen to all those great Britpop bands?!

D: Not really!

C: Not bringing them out…

D: I like listening to Graham Coxon a lot. He was in a great Britpop band, but more sort-of his new stuff.

C: Anyone else you’re listening to at the moment? So many bands…

D: I dunno, really…I haven’t been listening to many bands. I can never remember. I go through fazes where I listen to loads of stuff. I was quite interested to hear The Arctic Monkeys album and um…I dunno, I just listen to older music and…noises.

Supergrass…for the record:

Who:
Gaz Coombes – Guitar & Lead Vocals
Mick Quinn – Bass & Vocals
Danny Goffey – Drums & Vocals
Rob Coombes – Keyboards. Gaz’s older brother. Officially joined the band in 2002, but has been touring and contributing on albums from the very start.
Charly Coombes – Keyboards. Gaz’s younger brother (them Coombes are rather a musical bunch, wouldn’t you say?) fills in for Rob sometimes…

Album Releases:
‘I Should Coco’ – 1995 Capitol/EMI
‘In it for the Money’ – 1997 Capitol/EMI
‘Supergrass’ (the x-ray album) – 1999 Island Records
‘Life on Other Planets’ – 2002 Island Records
‘Road to Rouen’ – 2005 Capitol

Best of:
‘Supergrass is 10’ 1994 – 2004 EMI

Elsewhere

By Amy Hanson
Photos : Andy Scheffler
Published : March 2006.