Entertainment
Gaz Coombes reveals toll being in Supergrass was taking on him: ‘I wasn’t enjoying it, I wasn’t happy’-Aisha Nozari-Entertainment – Metro
Coombes’ new solo album drops this week.
Gaz Coombes was one of Supergrass’ founding members (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Gaz Coombes has spoken candidly about Supergrass’ split back in 2010.
The musician was one of the rock band’s founding members and Coombes has since gone on to build a successful career as a solo artist, with his fourth studio album out on Friday.
But speaking this week, the 46-year-old explained that at the end of Supergrass’ run he simply wasn’t happy and had to go his own way.
‘I didn’t leave Supergrass to go solo. I left because I wasn’t enjoying it, and it wasn’t making me happy. So I needed to get myself happy,’ he explained.
At the time, Supergrass – made up of Coombes, his brother Rob, Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey – said creative differences were behind the split.
Speaking to the i, Coombes went on: ‘I realised that just because I wasn’t in the band didn’t mean I was going to stop [making music].’
The 46-year-old explained that at the end of Supergrass’ run he simply wasn’t happy (Picture: handout)
Supergrass, pictured in 2002, split back in 2010 (Picture: Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images)
The star’s first solo record was titled Here Comes the Bombs and released in 2012.
‘It was transitional, there was definitely a hangover from Supergrass,’ Coombes said of the album.
2015 saw the release of the singer-songwriter’s second solo album, Matador, which earned him a Mercury Prize nomination.
Coombes credits Matador with allowing him to properly establish himself as a solo artist, noting: ‘I made it without thinking about what I’d done before, or feeling like I needed to pull in a fan base, or any of those pressures.
‘I just did whatever made me feel good. And when it worked, I thought, this is it.’
Coombes just released his fourth studio album (Picture: handout)
Touching upon his newly released fourth album, Turn the Car Around, Coombes said he started making the record after the pandemic locked down the nation, but later brought in his band.
Billed as a mix of ballads, pop, folk and cinematic sounds, Coombes and his bandmates had movies projected on the walls of rooms they were working in when creating songs.
What’s more, certain movies and shows had a lasting effect on the songs featured.
Dance On, the last track on the album, was inspired by Peter Jackson’s Beatles series Get Back, while Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets and Marlon Brando classic On the Waterfront also made their mark on songs.
‘It was mainly a way of getting a different vibe and stopping us from just staring down at our fretboards,’ Coombes explained.
He even revealed that 1984’s classic comedy horror Gremlins was a huge influence.
More: Trending
‘We had Gremlins on, and the guitarist did this mental guitar solo at the end of Feel Loop (Lizard Dream).
‘I looked up and he’s watching Gremlins. So that did have an effect on his manic guitar.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Entertainment – MetroRead More
