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Biography
Prior to the formation of Super Furry Animals all members had developed their talents and interests in other Welsh bands with no identifiable genre connection. Notably, lead vocalist and guitarist Gruff Rhys had played in a jangle pop band named Emily and a noise rock band entitled Ffa Coffi Pawb and alongside lead guitarist Huw Buford, bassist Guto Pryce, keyboard and synth player Cian Ciárán, and drummer Dafydd Leuan, founded Super Furry Animals. A techno group from the offset, the band soon adopted neo-psychedelic, progressive and experimental sensibilities, and began steadily writing and touring. After signing with Ankst, the Cardiff-based indie label, the band released their debut EP “Lianfairpwllgywgyllgoger Chwymdrobwlltysiliogoygoyocynygofod (In Space” in June 1995. Sung entirely in Welsh, the EP has been named as the longest-ever title for an EP and led to the subsequent extended play “Moog Droog” in October 1995.
Following a promotional tour across the UK, Super Furry Animals caught the attention of Creation Records' boss Alan McGee, who signed the band towards the tail end of 1995. To expand the band’s fan base Super Furry Animals began singing in English and Welsh, however came under criticism in their native Wales for doing so.
In February 1996 the group released their debut single on Creation Records, “Hometown Unicorn”, which peaked at No. 47 in the UK Singles Chart, and was name NME’s Single of the Week. A second single “God! Show Me Magic” followed in April ahead of their debut album “Fuzzy Logic” released in May 1996. The album earned signfical critical acclaim despite slow sales, peaking at No. 23 in the UK Albums Chart. After performing on the NME Brats Tour, Super Furry Animals released the singles “Hermann ♥’s Pauline” and “The International Language of Screaming” in July 1997. A month later arrived the album “Radiator”, which exceeded the success of its predecessor by reaching No. 8 on the Album Chart and earning even stronger reviews.
Super Furry Animals subsequently released the EP “Ice Hockey Hair” in 1998, which has been referred to by some critics as their finest record. Featuring the finely-tuned lyrical aesthetic of Rhys alongside progressive-beats and apt samples, the EP reached No. 12 in the charts and became a favourite amongst fans. The collection of B-sides “Out Spaced” arrived in November 1998, and marked the beginning of the band’s more experimental and ambitious phase.
Led by the single “Northern Lites”, “Guerrilla” was issued by Creation in 1999, encompassing the genres of glam and garage rock, novelty techno and indeitronica all on a single record. After an extensive promotional tour, Super Furry Animals released the acoustic album “Mwng” featuring songs entirely sung in Welsh and was commended in Parliament for keeping the Welsh language alive. The band signed with Epic Records after Creation's demise and released the albums “Rings Around the World” and “Phantom Power”, both of which charted with the UK Top 15. A remix album of “Phantom Power” entitled “Phantom Phorce” followed a year later in 2004 as well as the best-of compilation album “Songbook: The Singles, Vol. 1”.
“Love Kraft”, recorded in Spain, hit the shelves in August 2005, noted for its laid-back ambience and strong string section. Super Furry Animals subsequently moved to Rough Trade Records and released “Hey Venus!” in 2007 and “Dark/Days/Light Years” in 2009.
Live reviews
Tanks, gigs in 5.1 surround sound, Welsh language albums, remixing, getting Sir Paul McCartney to chew celery on one of your songs....the word “experimental” was partially created to try and describe the various things Super Furry Animals have attempted in their varied career. Ever since the 1995 EP Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (In Space) SFA have been producing incredible psychedelic pop music that reached its peak with the perfect Radiator album in 1997. Since then the band has had hit-and-miss success with records like Rings Around the World (excellent) and Phantom Power (not so good) but they are always a fascinating listen thanks to singer and principal song writer Gruff Rhys’ unique take on the world around him. While the band might be on a bit of a hiatus since 2010, Gruff’s solo career is going strength to strength thanks to the same questing spirit which peppered his band’s output. Having seen the band a few times over the years, the hits just keep coming one after the other: from the epic soloing of ‘Hometown Unicorn’ through the noise and mess (under which is one of the century’s great pop songs) of ‘Hermann Loves Pauline’ to the epic show closer of the Steely Dan sampling ‘The Man Don’t Give a Fuck’ which eventually turns into a full-scale techno assault (when you hear that in 5.1 surround sound, your brain and ears can take quite some time to recover), it’s one of the giddiest gig nights you’ll ever have. And if your throat isn’t raw from hollering along to ‘The International Language of Screaming’ then you’re not doing it right.
AndyHannah
The Super Furry Animals have and still are one of my favourite bands but I shall remain impartial as to my review of their live performances. Emerging from the brit pop era, while Blur and Oasis were battling it out for chart positions, the Super furries independently honed their craft as innovative prog rock psychedelic pop masters. On stage they showcase their talents with aplomb but never taking themselves too seriously, often adorned in Furry costumes, power ranger suits or some other luminous or outlandish get up; but don't let this fool you, they are super tight as a five piece and know how to get the best out of their instruments. Crowd favourites like Ice Hockey Hair, If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You and the anarchic The Man Don't Give a F***, never fail to please. With a significant back catalogue under their belts, set list's are full of guitar fueled, electronic, harmonious wonders that will keep your feet tapping long after the show is done. Don't miss the chance to see this extraordinary band.
RickyJackson++++
I've seen SFA loads of times but this gig was special, as they played fuzzy logic and Radiator in full and in Track order, they played tracks I've never seen live and the show felt fresh even though the album's are almost 20yrs old.
About the venue; I've never been to Bristol academy before, it seemed a decent enough gig venue, the sound was good and the atmosphere was friendly - Beer was overpriced.
Iamdavidking
Saw SFA at Brixton in May 2015. Fantastic show, they played a set of 26 songs back-to-back for well over 2 hours. Great selection covering gems from the likes Fuzzy Logic, Rings Around the World, Mwng ...
Incredible evening. Go Wales.
karim-dia-toubajie
Played the entirety of both Fuzzy Logic and Radiator. I prefer their first album so enjoyed the first half of the show more than the second. Worth it just to see them dressed as yetis!
Recommended.
SamStanfield
Great band, great set list, great venue.
Would like to see them every day. hope they will do more shows and record an album or two.
Came all the way from Israel to see them too!
pantos27
