Rather than a list of ‘could have beens’, the story of Super Furry Animals reads like a series of ‘should have beens’. In the post Grunge/’Cool Britannia’ of the 1990s they chiefly stood out for being paradoxically full of ideas and either unwilling or unable to play the well-worn, era defining, ‘Lads ‘n’ Lager’ role. Yes, they should have been huge! They should, in fact, be touring the planet earning eye-watering amounts capable of paying off multiple lawyers and ex-wives. As it is, despite existing in some form for 33 years, they have yet to log a top ten hit single or album.
Aside from reissues of most of their work for Creation records, they’ve released no new recording in over a decade*. So, by what logic should the first night of a short tour of the UK and Ireland be so anticipated by a sold-out 3Olympia on a Wednesday in May? Having been warmed up by Rap n Dance duo Get Down Services whose future in livening up a crowd is assured. Certainly, by the end of their set, the audience were well up for it. New single ‘The Radiator’ showcases the more sensitive end of their repertoire. The energy of their performance is… difficult to ignore.
Then, bang on 9pm SFA time, the background hum rose to a crescendo and on stepped the band. Gruff, plastic mobile in hand, kicked off with ‘Wherever I lay my Phone (that’s my home), straight into ‘Rings Around The World’, and with the exception of ‘Herman Loves Pauline’; almost every Single up to and including those from ‘Phantom Power’ (but curiously nothing more recent!).
Anyone familiar with the Furry’s should have noted the absence of many album tracks (we did get ‘Run Christian Run’, ‘Picillo Snare’, ‘Receptacle For The Respectable’, ‘Mountain People’ and a smattering of Welsh tracks). Ah but that’s just nit-picking. Any gig with ‘Northern Lights’ is a triumph in my book! Yes, they were a little “ring rusty” early on. But with the 22 track (almost two hour) gig culminating in ‘Slow Life’, ‘Night Vision’ and ‘The Man Don’t Give A Fuck’, what began as an Audio-Visual whisper, ended in a Psychedelic scream. Set to return in August, they are what these furry animals have always been. Super! Really, the only question is, why aren’t these guys huge!
Just sayin’, G.
*This weeks’ release of ‘Precreation Percolation’, being as the title suggests, very early recordings.
Super Furry Animals photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Wherever I Lay My Phone (That’s My Home)
(Drawing) Rings Around the World
Do or Die
Golden Retriever
Something 4 the Weekend
Focus Pocus / Debiel
If You Don’t Want Me to Destroy You
Ice Hockey Hair
Hello Sunshine
Northern Lites
Ymaelodi â’r Ymylon
Run! Christian, Run!
Juxtapozed With U
The Piccolo Snare
Fire in My Heart
Play It Cool
Receptacle for the Respectable
God! Show Me Magic
Mountain People
Slow Life
Night Vision
The Man Don’t Give a Fuck
Photos & Words – David McEneaney @experimentzero
Words – Gerry McCrave