Those crazy monkeys in Supergrass, what thoroughly decent chaps. With a new album, Road To Rouen, they have certainly evolved. Passionately expressing a sublime mix of their much-loved cheeky vibrancy but with a more thoughtful, laidback blues-infused acoustic sway, they've done themselves proud.
I put on my nicest shoes and met up with Danny Goffey for a swift pint and a natter.
What have you been up to since the last album?
After Supergrass' ‘We Are 10’ album and a few tours, we went to France in October last year to start recording and were there till the end of January and since then, um, we've been doing all sorts of bits.
Why France?
Rob and Gaz have got a barn there that they brought years ago and we've made it into a homely space for a studio with rented gear and it's a little kind of band haven. It's nice to be in a relaxed environment without the madness. It was just the band and this French guy called Pom. He cooked dinners for everyone and we had a few drinks.
I read that you'd asked Peter Blake to do the cover for your next album. Where is it? I was looking forward to it.
Oh yeah, shit. It'll have to be the next one.
What would you like him to do?
I don't think I’d push him in any kind of direction. I did like the stuff he was doing with some pictures of Elvis, all a bit mental. So if there's a way of doing something along those lines.
Is that the sort of art you like? Are you a collector?
No, not really. I've got loads of old matt photo's found in mad shops when we're on tour. I like framing them up. We take photo's at every gig and get them up on the website (childrenofthemonkeybasket.com). It's more Micky really but I started a photography A-level.
Would you have been doing that kind of thing if the band had, well, disbanded?
Yeah, it was all I was good at; art. And P.E. My brother does all our videos and when we were younger we used to hire a camcorder for the weekend and make mad films. I really admire The Comic Strip Presents... and all that team of people, just having a laugh with your friends at work.
Weren't you tempted then when Stephen Spielberg wanted to make a film with you guys?
Well, we turned him down. He had some really good ideas but we'd just done one album and we were worried about getting sucked into this huge moneymaking thing. It was before we really knew what the band was. We're quite happy with the way things have turned out.
With the delightful news that Stephen Segal is releasing an album, do you know any actors you'd actually like to hear singing?
I hang around with Rhys Ifans quite a lot and I’d like to see him, he'd be great. He's a Rock 'n' Roller at heart.
Tell me about your change of direction musically.
Well, we've always had this whimsical ideal of writing music we just never really recorded it much. I think we needed to do it so people could see another side to the band. We're getting on a bit! It wasn't a dramatic decision - it still sounds like us but there aren't any kind of glammy pop songs. When Gaz and Rob's mum died, there was a lot of reflection and so lyrically, it changed us. There's just a different kind of energy in the room when we play as it's very quiet and there's a lot of anticipation. It's great for people to really listen to what we're about without this massive wall of sound.
You have chosen to do your latest tour in smaller seated venues. Do you not find it strange playing to people when they're sitting down? They're not dancing around so their reactions to the music must differ?
They dance with their faces more.
Will you still play some old stuff?
Yeah, definitely. We've kind of re-worked them a bit. Mary is totally different.
What's your favourite song?
My favourite song we're playing tonight is a cover version of Gil Scott-Heron's Lady Day and John Coltrane. That's my favourite one to play.
You and your other half are well known amongst the style set. Any fashion mishaps?
(Opens jacket to reveal ageing braces) These are not too good, are they?
They're practical!
Yep, help keep my trousers up, which is helpful sometimes. When we first started the band we had a bit of an insane look. I had a blue velvet all-in-one jumpsuit sort of thing, all nice and tight, which I used to wear constantly. I think it makes conversation a bit more weird when you're dressed up all bizarre in the pub or something. Me, Pearl (Lowe) and Daisy just did 12 pages in Vogue Homme, which was great. All Christian Dior stuff designed for skinny blokes.
Did you get to keep any of the clothes?
No, it was like five grand for a pair of trousers. I tried to steal some but they were really hardcore. My name in the band is Sebastian because I’m like their stylist. When they want their hair done it's 'Seb, Seb, I need you!'
Having been blown away by their more intimate acoustic gig with a kind of theatrical lazy French deep red velvet and granny lamps feel to the set, their overall style is mature, emotive and a real joy to experience.
Road To Rouen is released on the 15th August. Allez, vite!