Tuned In

The grass really is greener for the British foursome Supergrass. They've already had massive success in the UK. Now their incredibly catchy tunes are growing on music lovers on this side of the shore. Not that they were total strangers before -- loyal fans still recall the band's hit songs "Strange Ones" and "Alright" from their debut album, I Should Coco, released in 1995. "Alright" was also featured on the Clueless soundtrack (remember the video with the bed on wheels?).

Five years and three albums later, brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes, Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey have struck musical gold with their latest self-titled album. MTV has anointed the cartoonish triumph of a-video "Pumping On Your Stereo" with its sought after "buzzworthy" label, and the single is featured on the Road Trip soundtrack. Despite all the attention it's garnering, to singer/guitarist Gaz the song's appeal is much more simple: "It's quite good fun to play it on the stage," he says.

Speaking of road trips, the band themselves have been touring in the states this spring and summer and recently gave an especially energetic performance at The Viper Room in Los Angeles. "It was so loud and so hectic, I think it was really good actually," says Gaz. If you miss them this time around, don't despair. In early fall you can catch the charismatic quartet lightening things up as Pearl Jam's opening act. And don't expect any Pearl Jam pathos, either. "Youthful exuberance of pop pleasure" is how Danny sums the band's music up. If that's what you're yearning for in your musical garden, check Supergrass out.

Ellen Rocamora, Teen People Online - May 2000