One of the most accurate musical idioms I’ve ever heard describes jazz as the constant search for the right note.
Talking to Danny Goffey, one of Britain’s most influential and flamboyant drummers, I am surprised to find he agrees.
“I detest jazz. Full stop. There are no redeeming features,” he says. “I agree about the drummers, though. I’m into jazz drummers. I suppose it’s good trippin’ music, really fast stuff, sort of Woody Allen-type jazz. It’s good off-your-head-bonkers music.
“My favourite drummer when I started was Mitch Mitchell from the Jimi Hendrix Experience. All those blokes from that era, Keith Moon, John Densmore from The Doors, they were amazing. That’s who I wanted to be.
“Matt Helders from the Artic Monkeys is a great contemporary drummer and my mate, Darren Berry, he’s great. Darren’s like a funny little waiter on the drums. He tickles the drum kit, brushes it, and bobs up and down.”
Danny is nothing if not imaginative, yet he’s surprisingly reticent in response to my questions, guarded even. Perhaps it’s a default reaction after being hounded by hacks in 2005 when stories spread about his alleged wife-swapping antics with Jude Law and Sadie Frost dominated tabloid front pages?
“Not really, but all that made Road To Rouen a difficult album to make. There were lots of different things going on during that album. There was a lot of abuse and stuff, people splitting up relationships.”
Supergrass are now a five-piece with the addition of singer and guitarist Gaz Coombes’ brothers Rob and Charley who “beef it up and free Gaz to put the guitar down”.
“It’s probably about time we started slowing down, but right now it’s the best we’ve played for years.” says Danny. “These new songs are ferocious. There’s a lot of energy. You look at bands like Foo Fighters who are a lot older than us, and they’re still mental, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Supergrass entered the pop charts in 1995 with single Mansize Rooster before debut album I Should Coco charted at number one.
Alright was the ubiquitous singalong hit from the record, which boasted of the band’s extreme youth and inspired director Steven Spielberg to approach them with plans for a Monkees-style TV show (which they turned down).
The band are still only in their mid-30s but are putting the finishing touches to their seventh album. It might be the first on an independent label without a major’s budget, but that brings its benefits.
“It sounds a lot freer,” Danny says. “We’re not really doing the three-minute pop songs on this one. It’s more psychedelic, a bit more rambling. Mick and Gaz play some drums on it, I play some guitar and we’re all sort of messing around really. I’m not biggin’ it up well, but it’s definitely freaky.”
Danny and Gaz have also found time to make a covers record under the moniker Hot Rats.
An album of “deranged, twisted covers” which includes David Bowie, Roxy Music, Pet Shop Boys and Beastie Boys, Hot Rats play a Reading warm-up show at Digital in Brighton on Wednesday.
Just before we bid goodbye Danny is ordered away by a distant voice. After 14 years and six albums they’ve certainly grown up. Goffey has to go to collect his two children from school and he cannot be late.
* Supergrass play Arundel Castle tonight with the Lighting Seeds and Idlewild.
Tickets £30, doors 5.30pm. For all Castle events call 01603 660444.
Visit the website at www.arundeltownfestival.com
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