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Super Furry Animals

Teflon Monkey

vbird by Vic Bird [Edit this content] ▾ 0 comments 16:27 July 8th, 2001
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Date: 08/07/2001

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It’s 1.25 and we’re still outside, support act Teflon Monkey is *meant* to be on at 1.30…. we’re starting to get worried. The promoter keeps popping his head out of the ever illusive entrance door, he shakes it, then announcing to the crowd that we ‘probably won’t get in’ and that the venue is ‘packed’ It’s 1.30 and a handful of lucky fans have been squeezed in, we’re still outside, I’m biting my nails, they’re waiting for the people on the guestlist if they don’t turn up we might get it. With every announcement of ‘Come to the front if you have a wrist band or guest list place’ a few more lucky people surge in front of us...It’s 5 mins till guestlist cut off point, we might get in… 2 mins… we should get in 1 min… we will get in, 1.40 we’re IN!!!

Saying The Social is intimate is like stating the pope’s quite religious… a bit of an understatement, in fact intimate doesn’t even start to sum up the cramped and crowded position we found ourselves in. With a space the size of an average living room the capacity in normal circumstances has to be 150 max… number of SFA fans packed in that day? Well it has to be in excess of 200-250. But if anything this squashed atmosphere just added to the joviality and ambience, not to mention the momentous sense of occasion that this day entailed.

The afternoon’s entertainment was kicked off by one of my favourite solo artists of the year, Teflon Monkey** (better known as Rhodri to most). Having recently released the ‘Farming In Space’ E.P on the Super Furries Placid Casual label, Rhodri was the perfect option for support. Playing half a set both before and after the Super Furries performance, Rhodri gently woo-ed the audience with his short but very sweet opening numbers composed of light acoustic tittering mixed with angelic vocals not to mention mild and caressing lyrics.

Fighting their way to the stage armed with a bingo machine, CD’s and a few bits and pieces to boot, the Super Furry Animals** had entered the building. From the onset it was clear to everyone that not a serious moment would pass, the Super Furries, like the crowd, were there to enjoy themselves. It was soon made apparent what the point of this bingo machine was to be. With their extensive back catalogue written and stapled to one of the walls, each number represented a different song, and what better way to randomly select than to let the balls decide! A good plan in theory with only one slight hiccup…. Not being able to play a song acoustically!!! Still the Super Furries weren’t discouraged by this wee problem… their solution: to mine!!!

As the afternoon progressed with the scenery being raffled off, balls being released and the appropriate songs being sung all in a cohesion of pure joviality, it was apparent for all to see that we were witnessing something special. Not only were we entertained by the bingo balls; there was also a change for some audience participation (chanting the alphabet without the K during N.O.K.) not to mention the fantastic story behind ‘Foxy Music’.

Each vocal moment was not exactly_ perfect, but in truth this didn’t matter. The majority of the crowd weren’t there to hear the Super Furries churn out countless songs all pitch perfect, we were there for the atmosphere the ambience the occasion, and besides there was always the evening’s gig if you wanted perfection. Though this isn’t to say we weren’t given an inkling of superiority at various intervals namely ‘Y Teimlad’ and the aforementioned ‘Foxy Music’** all fantastically articulated in their acoustic forms. Certainly enough to keep even the most passionate of fans happy.

Resisting the temptation to list each and every song, I do however feel the urge to regurgitate my personal high light. For me this had to be the fantastic acoustic/ country/folk-pop version of ‘The Man Don’t Give A Fuck’ Pure genius doesn’t even begin to sum it up! And as for the spoof cover of ‘Without you’- fucking fantastic, enough said.

After the Super Furries had literally battled their way through the hoards of fans squashed around the stage area, it was time for the second Teflon Monkey** performance. Not only will your heart melt at the sight of this smallish timid looking boy armed only with a handful of songs and an acoustic guitar, but your soul will be set on fire by the angelic and at times powerful vocals echoing from the makeshift stage area.

A perfect appetite wetter for the evening’s entertainment.

  • Super Furry Animals 8 / 10
  • Teflon Monkey 8 / 10
Super Furry Animals Teflon Monkey
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