Supergrass burst onto the British rock scene with their debut album, "I Should Coco," which immediately caught the attention of music critics and fans alike. The album is a delightful and playful blend of punk, pop, and rock, showcasing the band's infectious energy, catchy melodies, and witty lyrics.
Supergrass was formed in 1993 in Oxford, England, by lead vocalist and guitarist Gaz Coombes, his school friend and bassist Mick Quinn, and drummer Danny Goffey. They guys were 16 years old at the time!
They had previously played together in a band called "The Jennifers", which had limited success which had lead the three friends to start a new band and began writing and performing their own music. They had been playing gigs around Oxford when they were spotted by producer Sam Williams, who said he wanted to work with them. Between the months of May and August, the band recorded a six-track demo at Sawmills Studio and, having signed a deal with Backbeat Records.
A limited number of copies of "Caught by the Fuzz" and "Mansize Rooster" were released.
They soon caught the attention of the local music scene with their debut single "Caught by the Fuzz" and were signed to Parlophone Records in 1994. While signing they set the band name to "Supergrass", which was inspired by the 1970s British slang term "super grass," which referred to an informant who helped the police catch criminals.
(Photo: Mick Hutson)
Their debut album "I Should Coco" was released the following year and became a huge commercial success, propelling the band to international fame.
The album opens with the upbeat and punchy "I'd Like to Know," which sets the tone for what's to come. The album's lead single, "Caught by the Fuzz," is a frenzied blast of punk energy, with its driving drums and distorted guitars. It's a song about getting caught with drugs, and it perfectly captures the reckless spirit of youth.
Other standout tracks on the album include "Strange Ones," a playful and infectious pop tune, and "She's So Loose," a gritty and energetic rock song with a catchy chorus. "Alright," the album's biggest hit, is a feel-good anthem with a sing-along chorus and a catchy guitar riff that's impossible to resist.
The band shows their versatility with tracks like "Time to Go," a dreamy and melancholic ballad that showcases frontman Gaz Coombes' emotive vocals, and "Mansize Rooster," a funky and playful tune with a killer bassline.
Overall, "I Should Coco" is a fantastic debut album from a band that would go on to have a successful career in the years to come. It's a fun, energetic, and catchy collection of songs that perfectly captures the carefree spirit of youth.
The album was a critical and commercial success, debuting at number one on the UK albums chart and eventually selling over a million copies worldwide.
Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music