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The Press Article
'Stereo' Tonic
Supergrass fans have given the band's forthcoming single a unanimous thumbs-up.
The single, "Pumping On Your Stereo", was premiered last week by Steve Lamacq on radio 1's "Evening Session", more than a month before it's release by Parlophone on May 24.
During the radio show last Tuesday (April 20), the band's Gaz Coombes told Steve, who labelled the song "a big summer record", that it came off the top of their heads. The entire song was done during rehearsals in London, a few months before the band went into Sawmills studio in Cornwall to work on their third studio album.
Coombes explained to Lamacq that the song was recorded pretty much live - that the band just set up and "went for it". He added that the LP, which is scheduled to be released in September, was recorded pretty quickly last year, and that, as ever, the band have been fiddling around with mixing. At the moment, the album has the working title "Slap My Monkey", according to drummer Danny Goffey.
By Thursday of last week (April 22), every show on Radio 1 had aired "Pumping On Your Stereo" at least once, with Lamacq playing it twice during his April 20 show, due to listeners' demand.
Since then, the song has been sent by satellite to every regional radio station around Britain, and Xfm has created a "Super A List" especially for it (which means they get to play "Pumping..." every three hours).
Supergrass' spokesman told the Maker: "I've never known a response like it to any record that I've worked on before. I'm in the fortunate position of having heard the album. If you think the single's good, wait until you hear the album. It's even better."
Meanwhile, Supergrass will be recording four new tracks for Radio 1's "Evening Session". One of these will be broadcast live on the "Session" on Wednesday (April 28). All four will be heard at a later date, nearer the single's release.
Tickets for the band's May dates are selling out fast, with the gig at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire already sold out.
IN IT FOR THE MONEY OR IN IT FOR THE MUSIC?
David (18), from Melbourne, Australia
What do you think of "Pumping On Your Stereo" and how does it compare with their previous offerings?
"I've only heard the single over the Internet so far. I had a similar reaction to it that I did to 'Richard III' on their last album. When you've listened to it two or three times, it gets under your skin."
Will you be rushing out on May 24 to buy it?
"Unfortunately, it's not released in Australia until July."
Are you looking forward to hearing the new album and what are your expectations?
"My expectations for the album would be to hear more of their psychedelic stuff. They'll probably chuck in a few nods to modern technology by adding some samples. I'm always excited at the prospect of hearing the new songs, and no song that they have written has ever disappointed."
Steven (21), from Ash Vale, Surrey
What do you think of "Pumping On Your Stereo" and how does it compare with their previous offerings?
"It seems to have hints of Mick Jagger, plus a bit of Doors, and the sound of the original Supergrass album. It's a great song and is going to be the start of a summer to remember. It is the kind of song you hear at the end of a long, hot summer's day, as the heat is cooling, the sun painting the sky red and everyone is chilling and you realise how great life is.
"This seems to be going back to the energy of the original album, with the squeaky voices and strange ending. But with the more mature sounds of the second album."
Will you be rushing out on May 24 to buy it?
"Of course, and I'm sure it will be a moment to savour. HMV had better have a mop and bucket ready."
Are you looking forward to hearing the new album and what are your expectations?
"The new album should be a natural progression from the first two albums. The first was fun, the second album was serious to prove that they were, this new one hopefully will be crafted from their experience (and tastes) and provide us with a colourful classic. My hopes may be high, but they've not disappointed me yet."
Neil (29), from London
What do you think of "Pumping On Your Stereo" and how does it compare with their previous offerings?
"Damn fine. Sounds a bit Stones-y, but there's nothing wrong with that. It's not as instantly catchy and likeable as their earlier stuff, but after a couple of listens, it has begun to grow on me."
Will you be rushing out on May 24 to buy it?
"Damn right."
Are you looking forward to hearing the new album and what are your expectations?
"Can't wait for it. I Sincerely hope that it supercedes the previous two."
David (23), from Knottingley, West Yorkshire
What do you think of "Pumping On Your Stereo" and how does it compare with their previous offerings?
"Like 'In It For The Money' was a different sound to 'I Should Coco', this is different to both of the previous albums. My initial impression was, in the words of that guy from the Dr Pepper ad, 'I think I like it', but after listening to it a few times, it's definitely a grower, and I think it's really good.
"It's certainly a change to stuff they've done before but it's good - probably not up with the likes of 'Richard III' and 'Caught By The Fuzz', but it's pretty decent nonetheless."
Will you be rushing out on May 24 to buy it?
"I'll definitely be buying it. It's been over 18 months with no new 'Grass tunes and I'm a big fan of theirs, so I'd probably buy a Billie cover if they did one!"
Are you looking forward to hearing the new album and what are your expectations?
"They've kept us waiting long enough so, personally, I can't wait. Hopefully they'll be playing loads off the new album at the gigs next month, so I can't wait for that either."
Ruiari (22), from Glasgow
What do you think of "Pumping On Your Stereo" and how does it compare with their previous offerings?
"I like it after hearing it for the first time, and it probably will be a big grower on me after repeated listens. The chorus is still banging round my head like some crazy mantra, so what happens when it becomes prime-time playlist material, my brain shudders to think.
"It's similar in many ways to some of the songs off '...Coco'. Again, seemingly inspired after listening to one Bowie/Rolling Stones album too many, but nonetheless an excellent feel-good single that should keep the band on the airwaves for a long time before the album release."
Will you be rushing out on May 24 to buy it?
"Assuming I'm not skint by then, I can see myself running down, not only for 'Pumping...', but also for their rendition of 'Come And Have A Go If You Think You're Hard Enough' ['You'll Never Walk Again']."
Are you looking forward to hearing the new album and what are your expectations?
"After hearing this, I'm looking forward to hearing the new album. Apparently, most of it was recorded pretty quickly and so should have a loose and live feel to it, but hopefully going more in the direction of 'In It For The Money'."
Melody Maker - 01 May 1999
Supergrass fans have given the band's forthcoming single a unanimous thumbs-up.
The single, "Pumping On Your Stereo", was premiered last week by Steve Lamacq on radio 1's "Evening Session", more than a month before it's release by Parlophone on May 24.
During the radio show last Tuesday (April 20), the band's Gaz Coombes told Steve, who labelled the song "a big summer record", that it came off the top of their heads. The entire song was done during rehearsals in London, a few months before the band went into Sawmills studio in Cornwall to work on their third studio album.
Coombes explained to Lamacq that the song was recorded pretty much live - that the band just set up and "went for it". He added that the LP, which is scheduled to be released in September, was recorded pretty quickly last year, and that, as ever, the band have been fiddling around with mixing. At the moment, the album has the working title "Slap My Monkey", according to drummer Danny Goffey.
By Thursday of last week (April 22), every show on Radio 1 had aired "Pumping On Your Stereo" at least once, with Lamacq playing it twice during his April 20 show, due to listeners' demand.
Since then, the song has been sent by satellite to every regional radio station around Britain, and Xfm has created a "Super A List" especially for it (which means they get to play "Pumping..." every three hours).
Supergrass' spokesman told the Maker: "I've never known a response like it to any record that I've worked on before. I'm in the fortunate position of having heard the album. If you think the single's good, wait until you hear the album. It's even better."
Meanwhile, Supergrass will be recording four new tracks for Radio 1's "Evening Session". One of these will be broadcast live on the "Session" on Wednesday (April 28). All four will be heard at a later date, nearer the single's release.
Tickets for the band's May dates are selling out fast, with the gig at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire already sold out.
David (18), from Melbourne, Australia
What do you think of "Pumping On Your Stereo" and how does it compare with their previous offerings?
"I've only heard the single over the Internet so far. I had a similar reaction to it that I did to 'Richard III' on their last album. When you've listened to it two or three times, it gets under your skin."
Will you be rushing out on May 24 to buy it?
"Unfortunately, it's not released in Australia until July."
Are you looking forward to hearing the new album and what are your expectations?
"My expectations for the album would be to hear more of their psychedelic stuff. They'll probably chuck in a few nods to modern technology by adding some samples. I'm always excited at the prospect of hearing the new songs, and no song that they have written has ever disappointed."
Steven (21), from Ash Vale, Surrey
What do you think of "Pumping On Your Stereo" and how does it compare with their previous offerings?
"It seems to have hints of Mick Jagger, plus a bit of Doors, and the sound of the original Supergrass album. It's a great song and is going to be the start of a summer to remember. It is the kind of song you hear at the end of a long, hot summer's day, as the heat is cooling, the sun painting the sky red and everyone is chilling and you realise how great life is.
"This seems to be going back to the energy of the original album, with the squeaky voices and strange ending. But with the more mature sounds of the second album."
Will you be rushing out on May 24 to buy it?
"Of course, and I'm sure it will be a moment to savour. HMV had better have a mop and bucket ready."
Are you looking forward to hearing the new album and what are your expectations?
"The new album should be a natural progression from the first two albums. The first was fun, the second album was serious to prove that they were, this new one hopefully will be crafted from their experience (and tastes) and provide us with a colourful classic. My hopes may be high, but they've not disappointed me yet."
Neil (29), from London
What do you think of "Pumping On Your Stereo" and how does it compare with their previous offerings?
"Damn fine. Sounds a bit Stones-y, but there's nothing wrong with that. It's not as instantly catchy and likeable as their earlier stuff, but after a couple of listens, it has begun to grow on me."
Will you be rushing out on May 24 to buy it?
"Damn right."
Are you looking forward to hearing the new album and what are your expectations?
"Can't wait for it. I Sincerely hope that it supercedes the previous two."
David (23), from Knottingley, West Yorkshire
What do you think of "Pumping On Your Stereo" and how does it compare with their previous offerings?
"Like 'In It For The Money' was a different sound to 'I Should Coco', this is different to both of the previous albums. My initial impression was, in the words of that guy from the Dr Pepper ad, 'I think I like it', but after listening to it a few times, it's definitely a grower, and I think it's really good.
"It's certainly a change to stuff they've done before but it's good - probably not up with the likes of 'Richard III' and 'Caught By The Fuzz', but it's pretty decent nonetheless."
Will you be rushing out on May 24 to buy it?
"I'll definitely be buying it. It's been over 18 months with no new 'Grass tunes and I'm a big fan of theirs, so I'd probably buy a Billie cover if they did one!"
Are you looking forward to hearing the new album and what are your expectations?
"They've kept us waiting long enough so, personally, I can't wait. Hopefully they'll be playing loads off the new album at the gigs next month, so I can't wait for that either."
Ruiari (22), from Glasgow
What do you think of "Pumping On Your Stereo" and how does it compare with their previous offerings?
"I like it after hearing it for the first time, and it probably will be a big grower on me after repeated listens. The chorus is still banging round my head like some crazy mantra, so what happens when it becomes prime-time playlist material, my brain shudders to think.
"It's similar in many ways to some of the songs off '...Coco'. Again, seemingly inspired after listening to one Bowie/Rolling Stones album too many, but nonetheless an excellent feel-good single that should keep the band on the airwaves for a long time before the album release."
Will you be rushing out on May 24 to buy it?
"Assuming I'm not skint by then, I can see myself running down, not only for 'Pumping...', but also for their rendition of 'Come And Have A Go If You Think You're Hard Enough' ['You'll Never Walk Again']."
Are you looking forward to hearing the new album and what are your expectations?
"After hearing this, I'm looking forward to hearing the new album. Apparently, most of it was recorded pretty quickly and so should have a loose and live feel to it, but hopefully going more in the direction of 'In It For The Money'."
Melody Maker - 01 May 1999