MY SIX BEST ALBUMS
GAZ COOMBES, 39, was singer and guitarist with the band Supergrass whose hits in the 1990s included Alright and Pumping On Your Stereo. A 20th anniversary edition of their debut album I Should Coco will be reissued on September 4. A single, Matador ( Da Capo), from his second solo album Matador will be released on September 18. gazcoombes. com SERGE GAINSBOURG: HISTOIRE DE MELODY NELSON ( Mercury) I listened to Gainsbourg a lot with Supergrass and was given this on vinyl. Vinyl is how I listen to my music when I’m at home.
This album is great for sitting around with a few drinks.
As a producer and musician I’m quite anal about little sonic touches and this is very inspiring. HOOKWORMS: THE HUM ( Weird World) I bought this in a Manchester record shop recently after hearing a track on the radio.
It’s pretty bonkers, like a cross between punk rock and krautrock. There’s a fair bit of screaming but it’s mixed in with poise. GOAT: WORLD MUSIC ( Rocket) I discovered this band a couple of years ago when I heard the track Run To Your Mama.
It has an almost psychedelic 1960s feel mixed with elements of world music which is tricky to do. It’s good to pump out in the car. TELEVISION: MARQUEE MOON ( Atlantic) I played this every day when Supergrass were recording Diamond Hoo Ha Man. I love those moments when you uncover something new.
I was into Tom Verlaine’s vocal delivery and the guitar work. There are probably moments where you hear that inspiration on our record. TALKING HEADS: REMAIN IN LIGHT ( Sire) I go back a long way with this album and it’s still fresh. Crosseyed And Painless is a mainstay of DJ sets and pre- gig dressing room tapes.
It’s one of the early albums Supergrass got into as a band. I remember watching their film Stop Making Sense on the tour bus and thinking, “Why are we bothering?” GAME IMPALA: LONERISM ( Modular) I was listening to this when I wrote Matador. I was in my Oxford basement and Kevin Parker, who made this, was in Australia coming up with mad psychedelic sounds. I felt a kinship through the grooves.
CAROLINE REES