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Minotaur Shock

So, until relatively recently I was never particularly bothered about Super Furry Animals. Don’t get me wrong, I’d always recognised that they were playing a different game from most other bands and that moments of brilliance shone out every now and then (Northern Lights has one of my favourite melodies ever, and they had a big blue tank). But, back when Fuzzy Logic came out, I was at university (in South Wales, as it happens) and my younger brother was still living at home. He was a big SFA fan, and I remember we never used to get along. Whilst I was trying to be introspective and clever (buying everything Warp released; amassing a useless, but nicely packaged Mo’Wax collection etc) he used to annoy the shit out of me on those weekends I came home, blasting out God Show Me Magic loud enough to distract me from being the pretentious loner student I was.

Through him, and not always willingly, I became familiar with most of their back catalogue. I’m no expert, but I reckon I could name a good few SFA songs. I wasn’t impressed when they toyed with my beloved Steely Dan, but that’s another story.

I was dragged to my first SFA live show in Bristol on the night of the England v Germany semi-final (I think it was Euro 96) and although I’m not particularly a football kind of guy, I was impressed that they allowed the punters to watch some of the game through the doors to the back of their van, and then went on late (accompanied by the first track from Scott 3). Can’t remember their set though.

I didn’t see them again until that brown album with Juxtaposed Wit U came out, when they were doing their surround sound thing. I enjoyed that much more, by then their visuals were almost as good as Pete Fowler’s cover art.

Anyhow, as time passed on, the relationship I had with my brother mellowed out, and we firstly became tolerant of each other and now we get along fine, and work together in a band of our own. Our musical rivalries morphed into a mutual learning experience, I plundered his collection and he mine. I got the raw deal with some of his indie club classics, mind. But I have to admit, he was right about SFA.

Things came to a happy point last year, with the release of Phantom Power. I wasn’t too keen on the title, but thought I’d give the album a go. To my surprise, I was hooked from the first notes that girl sings. I listened to the whole album from start to finish, amazed at how it connected with me. I enjoyed the lyrics, song arrangements, the production, the whole kit and caboodle. I still listen to it every now and then, and always hear something new.

So, after they made my second-favourite album of last year, how could I refuse the opportunity to remix one of the songs?

I was given Cityscape Sky Baby, and used the drums and backing vocals. I had a lot of fun. I hope people like it; I heard a rumour that the band thought it sounded like Genesis. But they did have a big blue tank, so that’s ok.

Thanks to all involved, and I’m definitely gonna tape the next Super Furries album off my brother as soon as it comes out.

www.minotaurshock.com | www.melodic.co.uk

Minotaur Shock

So, until relatively recently I was never particularly bothered about Super Furry Animals. Don’t get me wrong, I’d always recognised that they were playing a different game from most other bands and that moments of brilliance shone out every now and then (Northern Lights has one of my favourite melodies ever, and they had a big blue tank). But, back when Fuzzy Logic came out, I was at university (in South Wales, as it happens) and my younger brother was still living at home. He was a big SFA fan, and I remember we never used to get along. Whilst I was trying to be introspective and clever (buying everything Warp released; amassing a useless, but nicely packaged Mo’Wax collection etc) he used to annoy the shit out of me on those weekends I came home, blasting out God Show Me Magic loud enough to distract me from being the pretentious loner student I was.

Through him, and not always willingly, I became familiar with most of their back catalogue. I’m no expert, but I reckon I could name a good few SFA songs. I wasn’t impressed when they toyed with my beloved Steely Dan, but that’s another story.

I was dragged to my first SFA live show in Bristol on the night of the England v Germany semi-final (I think it was Euro 96) and although I’m not particularly a football kind of guy, I was impressed that they allowed the punters to watch some of the game through the doors to the back of their van, and then went on late (accompanied by the first track from Scott 3). Can’t remember their set though.

I didn’t see them again until that brown album with Juxtaposed Wit U came out, when they were doing their surround sound thing. I enjoyed that much more, by then their visuals were almost as good as Pete Fowler’s cover art.

Anyhow, as time passed on, the relationship I had with my brother mellowed out, and we firstly became tolerant of each other and now we get along fine, and work together in a band of our own. Our musical rivalries morphed into a mutual learning experience, I plundered his collection and he mine. I got the raw deal with some of his indie club classics, mind. But I have to admit, he was right about SFA.

Things came to a happy point last year, with the release of Phantom Power. I wasn’t too keen on the title, but thought I’d give the album a go. To my surprise, I was hooked from the first notes that girl sings. I listened to the whole album from start to finish, amazed at how it connected with me. I enjoyed the lyrics, song arrangements, the production, the whole kit and caboodle. I still listen to it every now and then, and always hear something new.

So, after they made my second-favourite album of last year, how could I refuse the opportunity to remix one of the songs?

I was given Cityscape Sky Baby, and used the drums and backing vocals. I had a lot of fun. I hope people like it; I heard a rumour that the band thought it sounded like Genesis. But they did have a big blue tank, so that’s ok.

Thanks to all involved, and I’m definitely gonna tape the next Super Furries album off my brother as soon as it comes out.