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Supergrass

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Albums10
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AboutSupergrass first burst onto the UK music scene in 1995, young and carefree with pop tunes that instantly got stuck in your head. From loveable scamps enjoying the first flush of success in the heady days of the mid-Nineties, Supergrass have become one of the most decorated British groups of the '90s. They have won Best Newcomer awards at the NME Brats, the Q awards & the Nordoff Robbins awards and the Brits, whereas the Ivor Novellos brought forth a Best Contemporary Song award for "Alright" and there was also a prestigious Mercury Music Prize nomination for "I Should Coco".

Although Supergrass began in February 1993, the origins of the group go back to the days when a barely-teenage Danny Goffey (drums) and Gaz Coombes (vocals/guitars) put together a four piece called 'The Jennifers' while both were studying at Wheatley Park Comprehensive in Oxford. Amazingly, 'The Jennifers' signed to Nude Records at the same time as Suede, but only released one single before things came to an end. Soon afterwards, Gaz met Mick and, together with Danny, formed 'Theodore Supergrass' before settling on the more manageable name 'Supergrass'.

After recording a demo at Sawmills Studios in Cornwall, the band appeared at the Jericho Tavern, Oxford to a sizeable herd of record company A&R people.

They released their debut single, "Caught By The Fuzz", in the summer of 1994 on tiny Oxford indie label Backbeat as a limited edition of 250 and sold out immediately, primarily due to the support of Radio One's John Peel. The track, written by Gaz, chronicles his arrest and caution for cannabis possession when he was 15. It was released on Parlophone in October 1994, whereupon it achieved the rare feat of both NME and Melody maker 'Single Of The Week' status in the same week.

Their first album "I should Coco" produced a rapid succession of hits, including "Mansize Rooster", "Lenny", "Alright" and "Going Out".

In the US, major fan Steven Spielberg even approached Supergrass with an idea of a TV series based around the band and its exploits. This was clearly time for the band to stop the madness, and they instead retreated to the UK in the spring of 1996 to recharge their batteries and prepare ideas for the second album.

Again recorded at their favourite Sawmills Studios, they co-produced "In It For The Money", a marked move away from early work, with loud, fast guitars. From the gripping intensity of the first single "Richard III", through the explosive "Sun Hits The Sky", to the soulful beauty of "Late In The Day", it was clear that this was a more emotionally ambitious album than "I Should Coco", yet one that still sparkled with the same irrepressible sense of fun and adventure that has always been the band's trademark.

Released amidst a flurry of fantastic reviews and front covers from magazines such as NME, Melody Maker, i-D and The Big Issue. "In It For The Money" rapidly saw the band notch up their second platinum album whilst many bands hat had previously been considered their contemporaries seemed to stumble.

Supergrass released the lead track from their third album, "Pumping On Your Stereo" in May 1999. The single displayed the trademark dash of knockabout Supergrass humour and this was never more evident than in the brilliant promo video put together in conjunction with the Jim Henson Creature Shop famous for their work with The Muppets and Flat Eric.

A mini-tour scheduled around the single release was a huge success, seeing Supergrass play once more to sold-out venues, on the final night storming London's Shepherds Bush Empire as part of MTV's 'Five Night Stand' festival. The shows got rave reviews and reconfirmed the band's position as one of Britain's premier live acts.

The much anticipated third album, "Supergrass", was released in September 1999. Clearly the sound of a band growing up and realising the potential that so many spotted at an early age, the album features twelve songs. With this album, their sound broadened, moving away from straight guitar rock into a wide range of styles, from the gorgeous string drenched grace of new single "Moving", through the laidback West Coast vibe of "Shotover Hill" and the experimental "Eons" stunning electronica. Bassist Mick Quinn shares much of the vocal responsibilities this time, doing lead vocals on the tracks "Beautiful People", and the haunting album closer "Mama & Papa", another mark of the band's growing confidence.

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, 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.

However, on Monday, 12 April 2010, the band announced they had decided to split after 17 years, and will play "farewell" gigs in Glasgow, Manchester and London with their final gig in Paris on 11 June, 2010.

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