Supergrass once slithered in the lower fields of Britpop, belting out munchkin punk tunes about being young and getting busted for drugs, but the Oxford three-piece have since grown into a hardy perennial, standing tall alongside the big boys of Blur, Radiohead et al.
Their second album, In It For The Money, is a taut progression into tougher territory, and it proves that Gaz, Danny and Mickey are more than just cut-out popsters with cartoon sideboards. Last night's concert at the Olympia theatre was originally scheduled for last November, but the gig was cancelled when drummer Danny injured his hand. The band's rescheduled tour came to a close in Dublin, but the late arrival of the group's equipment caused a further delay.
Leeds band Spacehog warmed up nicely with songs from their album, Resident Alien, playing a wacky, American style of buzz-pop, and showcasing the twin talents of Royston and Anthony Langdon.
Before Supergrass came onstage, the audience were `treated' to a series of vintage safety awareness films featuring Alvin Stardust, Kevin Keegan, and an unfortunate animated cat named Charlie. Our patience was then sorely tried by a Bugs Bunny cartoon, but when Supergrass finally came onstage at ten to ten, all the waiting seemed worth it.
I'd Like To Know made the first tentative steps, but the Pinball Wizard-style frenzy of In It For The Money leapt right up and hit the jackpot. Cheapskate was also right on the money, and Time was a timely reminder that Supergrass were always dab hands at the catchy chord progression. Richard III was simply epic, Paranoid Android compressed into a royal rumpus, while Late In The Day was speckled with shades of Pink Floyd.
The Hawaiian-tinged whimsy of Alright might seem rather dull and dated in comparison with the serious glare of Sun Hits The Sky, but it's still worth singing along to the innocently ageist lyrics. Going Out is bereft of brass and so loses a little of its sheen, but Caught By The Fuzz is still smokin' after all these years. Supergrass are lean, keen, and no longer run green. Watch 'em grow.
