ARTIST
A-Z
Super Furry Animals
Fronted by the mumblingly eccentric Gruff Rhys, SFA have produced a series of gloriously sprawling, sub-psychedelic pop records, occasionally rendered in 5.1 SurroundSound and wearing the odd yeti suit. The band signed to Ankst in 1993 for two Welsh language EPs, before joining Creation in '95. The album 'Fuzzy Logic' was an instant classic, spawning the hits 'God! Show Me Magic' and 'Hometown Unicorn', while the band used the work of artist Pete Fowler as the springboard for some impressive live shows. After two more albums in the same vein, 2000's 'Mwng' saw them return to their Welsh roots and 2001's 'Rings Around The World' boasted guest appearances from Paul McCartney and John Cale. Their last two albums - 'Phantom Power' (2003) and 'Love Kraft' (2005) - have seen the band become ever more eclectic, while they still hold the record for the most swearwords on one single (1996's 'The Man Don't Give A F**k')."I was in Studio 5, working with Leo Sayer, and SFA were next door in Studio 4. I remember these clouds of funny-smelling smoke coming out of the doors of their studio, and when they saw Leo they basically dragged him in to join them. I'll never forget the look on Leo Sayer's face after he came back in to Studio 5 after being accosted by a bunch of mad Welsh blokes. I can't imagine what they spoke about."
- Simon Askew
SESSIONS
- 24/03/1998 (Maida Vale 4)
- 11/01/2000 (Maida Vale 4)
- 24/04/2000 (Scala)
- 12/07/2001 (Peel Acres)
- 28/06/2003 (Glastonbury Festival, Other Stage)
FESTIVE 50 TRACKS
- Fire In My Heart (Number 17 in 1999)
- God Show Me Magic (Number 49 in 1996)
- Ice Hockey Hair (Number 29 in 1998)
- Northern Lites (Number 24 in 1999)
- Rings Around The World (Number 21 in 2001)
- Slow Life (Number 46 in 2003)
- Turning Tide (Number 27 in 1999)
