Lawnmower men

>> Supergrass aren't just your garden-variety Britpop band

by LORRAINE CARPENTER

While the bulk of Britpop's class of '95 have busted or burned out, Oxford trio Supergrass rule the school with three platinum albums and continuing critical acclaim in the U.K. Though the 'grass is definitely greener on the other side of the pond, renewed "breaking America" buzz has sprung from the mini-hit single and pop anthem "Pumping on your Stereo." The irrepressibly cute, heavily-rotated video features the band members sporting muppet bodies courtesy of London's Jim Henson Creature Shop--fitting imagery for a trio formerly known for their facial hair and absurd hijinx.

Speaking to Supergrass drummer Danny Goffey, whose stage presence coincidentally resembles The Muppet Show's Animal, it appears that fame has always courted the band but serious commitments have yet to be made.

"We haven't made it to household names. We've always been a bit too weird for that," said a sleepy Goffey on the line from France. Coming off their frenetic debut album I Should Coco (1995), the band was offered everything from Calvin Klein modelling jobs to starring roles in a Monkees-style sitcom dreamed up by admirer Steven Spielberg.

"Nobody knew who we were in America then. We didn't want to be Steven Spielberg's little English band," said Goffey, who admitted they might reconsider if the offer is still open. How-ever, hardcore, "driver, lose that cab"-fame isn't something Goffey aspires to. "Tabloids are so intrusive and horrible, it would do my head in."

And he would know, counting among his friends the likes of Liam Gallagher, Kate Moss and Jude Law. Despite having a pair of toddler sons, Goffey and his wife Pearl Lowe are quite the London socialites, far removed from the homey lifestyles of Supergrass singer Gaz Coombes and bassist Mickey Quinn.

"They're just really boring! We're always joking at each other about it," said Goffey. "But it got funny for a while. They thought I was being a bit of a celebrity."

Goffey's involvement in Lodger, a side project that recently fell apart when "the singer went a bit mental," was another sore point for Coombes and Quinn around the time of album #2 In It for the Money (1997). However, renewed harmony within Supergrass is reflected on their latest, eponymous disc, a satisfying package of rock 'n' roll energy with a touch of class and depth that reveals the band's (dare I say it) maturity.

But don't think that Supergrass are the sober elder statesmen of Britpop; from the silly prog pastiche on "Jesus Came from Outer Space" to their ridiculous self-made Web site Children of the Monkey Basket, to their videos (the latest of which pays tribute to '70s slasher flicks), it's clear that some healthy absurdity is still in the house. To top it off, Supergrass will support Pearl Jam on some North American dates next fall, more famous fans who've been hounding them to tour for years. Are the former Britpop posterboys fans of the former grunge flagship band?

"Um, no, not really," said Goffey with a cough. Thought so. :

With the Datsons at the Spectrum on Sunday, May 7, 8pm, $17.50+taxes