Download of the Week: Supergrass – Live from London
In my early festival-going career Supergrass were the one band I could rely on to play a triumphant sunset soundtrack to my often mud-covered weekend.
In my early festival-going career Supergrass were the one band I could rely on to play a triumphant sunset soundtrack to my often mud-covered weekend. Reading Festival 2001 springs to mind as an uncharacteristically sun-drenched and mud-free highlight, but on a cold, wet January night last week I saw them cement their reputation as one of the best Brit Pop survivors going.Performing under the alias Diamond Hoo Ha Men with singer/guitarist Duke Diamond (aka Gaz Coombes) and Randy Hoo Ha (who bore a startling resemblance to Danny Goffey) on drums their blistering set at London’s Apple Store featured a sneak peek at some songs from the new album.Dirty, White Stripes-esque rock ‘n’ roll tunes were drizzled liberally with the trademark Supergrass sense of humour, and we were even treated to a storming cover of Michael Jackson’s Beat It (sans Van Halen guitar solo and also some of the words). They ended on an encore truly worthy of applause: bass player Mick Quinn joined the Hoo Ha Men on-stage for the first time since he broke his back six months ago to bash through nineties classic Caught By the Fuzz and upcoming single Diamond Hoo Ha Men.Think Britpop survivors and the bands that spring to mind tend to be either a depressing shadow of their former selves (Oasis) or laughable has-beens (Ocean Colour Scene). Supergrass, on the other hand, just keep going from strength to strength, even after all this time – and no matter what they choose to call themselves.Six of the songs are available to download exclusively from iTunes right now in lovely DRM-free flavour. Snap ‘em up quick.Thanks to Emma_Designs for use of her photo from the night. For more brilliant snaps check out her Flickr page here.
Dan Grabham
Editor-in-Chief 
