Whilst recently sorting through my music collection, I was filled with nostalgia when I stumbled across the cassette of UK band Supergrass’ first hit single, Alright. It was the year 1995 and the young indie pop band had just burst onto the music scene, exuberating a cool, carefree and fun attitude. The loveable lads certainly enjoyed a rush of success in that mid-nineties Brit-pop era that we all remember so fondly. Since those early years, they have become one of the most acclaimed British groups, winning Best Newcomer awards at the Brits, the NME Brats, the Q awards & the Nordoff Robbins awards.

Supergrass first appeared in 1993 as a bunch of floppy-haired, barely-teenage boys. A band that genuinely lived for the music, the lads began by playing live shows for quite an interesting (and somewhat unresponsive) herd of cows which grazed near Mick Quinn’s house in Cornwall. This, however, provided good practice for the recording of their first demo at Sawmills Studios (where they still record today), which lead to a gig at the Jericho Tavern in Oxford to a sizeable herd of record company A&R scouts. Caught By The Fuzz was originally released in the summer of 1994 and was ironically inspired by 15 year-old Gaz’s arrest and caution for cannabis possession. It was the full release of this track that lead to a signing to Parlophone in October 1994 and ultimately the release of their fresh and energetic debut album, I Should Coco. A rapid success of hits and festival appearances, including at England’s infamous Glastonbury, followed. In the USA, Steven Spielberg, a major fan of theirs, approached the boys with the suggestion of creating a TV series based around the band and its exploits. Wanting to remain true to their passion, the boys returned to the UK, and reflecting on their encounter with the superficial nature of the industry, began preparing ideas for their second album.

The wryly and aptly titled album, In It For The Money, was darker yet perhaps more emotionally induced, proving that Supergrass had significantly more substance than was first imagined. This was the album that provided the band with the credibility they deserved, achieving UK platinum status. Despite being highly emotive, the album displays the band’s trademark sparks of fun and adventure.

Supergrass is certainly an iconic band of the past generation, their albums reflecting the sound of a young band growing up and realising the potential that so many had spotted at an early age. Their third, self-titled album reflects the band’s coming-of-age, its members finally demonstrating confidence in their ability as musicians and as a band. Featuring twelve songs with a broader sound, the album moves away from straight guitar rock and features bassist Mick Quinn taking a much larger vocal role.

Supergrass has recently made a return to the energetic Britrock scene with their sixth album Diamond Hoo Ha Man. Skilfully exploring yet sustaining the ‘indie guitar rock’ tag that has restricted so many other bands’ creativity in the past decade, Supergrass have created 6 incredible albums which have made them a musical force to be reckoned with. A band whose style and music improve with time, perhaps their best is yet to come.

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