By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
January 25, 2002
Supergrass is one English band that’s not afraid to admit it would like to conquer America.
“We love coming to America and know that it’s not an easy country to win over,” says bassist-vocalist Mick Quinn, 33. “We’ve always done OK, though, so we’re not going to stop coming back until you tell us we can’t.”
Touring to support its delicious guitar-pop album “Life on Other Planets,” Supergrass also includes guitarist-vocalist Gaz Coombes, drummer Danny Goffey and keyboardist Rob Coombes.
Favorite Chicago hangout: Chicago’s a brilliant place. I saw Richard Ashcroft play there. I like the Metro and the [Smart Bar].
If you weren’t a musician: I could’ve gone into architecture ’cause it’s mathematical and artistic at the same time. Those are the same elements of music that interest me.
Theory about art: There’s a small version of the Museum of Modern Art [in Oxford]. Yoko Ono had a display there that I found really good. She had a maze you walk through and then in the middle is a toilet. It made me laugh and think, and that’s art to me.
Your application of art: I did some painting today. The walls of my house, I mean. I was thinking about what the band was going to do next and it was very relaxing.
Last good movie you saw: “Amadeus.” “Donnie Darko” was also interesting. “Mulholland Drive” blew me away. Nothing was obvious. I like having to work at it and finding things out.
CDs you’re listening to: You mean this week? I tend to move around a lot. I like Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, who’re inspired by dadaism. Very interesting. I also like Kraftwerk.
Favorite group: I’m really excited about The Coral, a new band from England that’s touring with us.
Britney Spears–yes or no: I’ve got a 12-year-old stepdaughter who probably listens to her, but [that kind of music] doesn’t even register on my radar.
Your stepdaughter thinks you are: Not sure. I think she doesn’t know how cool I am. She does think what I do for a living is more interesting than what her friends’ parents do.
Best thing about being you: Bloody hell, that’s a good one. Just that I get to be in a band that’s such a strong entity.
Gifts you promised to bring back from America: Everyone wants clothes, in general. The exchange rate is good for that. I’m a very efficient shopper.
Your wish: It would be great to break America on this tour and become incredibly successful.
Winter sports: I went skiing once when I was about 14. It was fun, but I just can’t afford to do it all the time!
How the band keeps from getting bored during rehearsals: Sometimes we’ll swap instruments.
Secret to keeping the band together for a decade: We still respect each other. It’s like a marriage–we work though any problems we have.
Making movies: None of us are actors but we enjoy having our music included on the soundtrack, although it can get weird. They used “Moving” in “East Is East” and it was very flattering, but the song also seemed a bit incongruous for the scene they used it for.
Sightseeing: When we toured with Pearl Jam, we saw quite a few things, like Billy the Kid’s grave and some nice museums. We’re probably going to have a bit less time on this tour.
