Supergrass split (From Oxford Mail)

Supergrass split

4:27pm Monday 12th April 2010 in Oxford By Tim Hughes

ONE of Oxford’s best-loved and most successful bands is calling it a day after 17 years together.

Supergrass last night announced they were breaking up after a career spanning six hit albums, a string of chart singles and live shows across the world.

The Wheatley band, consisting of frontman Gaz Coombes, his brother Rob, and friends Danny Goffey and Mick Quinn, attributed the split to “the 17-year itch”.

The group will play four farewell shows in June, with gigs in Glasgow, Manchester, London’s Brixton Academy and, finally, Paris on June 11.

In a joint statement, the group said: “Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years. We still love each other but, cliché notwithstanding, musical differences have led to us moving on. Of course we all wish each other well in the future.”

The band’s management company Courtyard, based in Sutton Courtenay, near Abingdon, added: “After many years of spreading global bonhomie, Supergrass announce that they have split due to the 17 year itch.”

The group, which grew out of Gaz and Danny’s previous band The Jennifers, formed in 1993.

Their first single, Caught By The Fuzz was released in 1994 and propelled them to fame as one of the leading bands of the mid-90s Britpop scene.

Since then they have picked up NME, Q, Brit and Ivor Novello awards, and a Mercury Music Prize nomination.

Last year the band headlined Oxfordshire’s Truck Festival, in Steventon, and played an acclaimed Christmas show at The Regal, in Cowley Road.

Last year the band headlined Oxfordshire’s Truck Festival, in Steventon, and played an acclaimed Christmas show at the Regal, in Cowley Road.

Gaz and Danny also toured as a duo as part of their side project The Hotrats which saw them performing popular rock and pop covers.

The dates followed the release of a Hotrats album, produced by Readiohead producer Nigel Godrich called Turn Ons.

Gaz has not said whether Hotrats will continue.