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Super Furry Animals call it a day?

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James McLaren James McLaren | 11:31 UK time, Friday, 27 August 2010

, Super Furry Animals are calling a halt to their band activities to concentrate on other projects.

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Update: , Gruff Rhys has posted: "Slow news day. SFA have not split up. Love SFA."

Guardian Cardiff editor Hannah Waldram quoted an unnamed source: "It's been revealed to a close circle of friends.

"There were some revelations about the band's finances and they've decided not to get back together after the break.

"People understand why it's been decided to kick it on the head, but they are a group of such magnitude, it would be a poor end to a massive successful career."

Following on from Gruff Rhys' recent venture with Brazilian musician Tony Da Gatorra, his film Separado!, and the band's most-recent release last year, their ninth studio album Dark Days/Light Years, this possibly temporary split comes as little of a surprise.

Commercial returns for the Cardiff-based band have always been limited and, although they've always been critically acclaimed, their sales have never matched their public profile, especially in recent years.

I first encountered the band at the Phoenix Festival near Stratford-Upon-Avon 14 years ago this month, when they were rolling round the country in their techno-pumping bright blue tank. They were inventive and fascinating and their songs were late-90s indie disco favourites, but later tracks never replicated the appeal of Do Or Die, Hermann Loves Pauline or Something 4 The Weekend.

It has also been reported that there have been discussions within the band about the commercial use of their songs. Coca-Cola wanted to use the song Hello Sunshine in an advert, and were willing to pay handsomely for it.

On , Gruff Rhys said: "Last year the Super Furry Animals turned down a seven-figure offer by an advertising agency for the use of our song 'Hello Sunshine' in a Coca Cola commercial. We thought long and hard.

"We have never been a big selling band, but when it came to the crunch, we felt we couldn't justify endorsing a product that may have had a part in violently suppressing some of its workers. For a moment, sitting in the office, I thought that we could have done the advert and donated the money for their campaign for justice.

"Yet the thought of having to hear our song used to sell anything that exploits anyone for the worse turns my stomach."

It's difficult to be an inventive, principled band committed to safeguarding your artistic integrity and make decent money. Even if that is but a small part of the reason, I've spoken to enough bands to know that virtually none are without financial pressures.

Regarding the length of this split, and whether Gruff Rhys will ever return to the fold, Rhys' manager Alun Llwyd told Waldram: "No one is saying that's it. I'm afraid there's always going to be gossip and suspicion but it's not decided firmly.

"Dafydd and Gruff are working on other things but no future plans are being decided. I know Gruff has made no firm decision on what he wants to do."

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Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    If it's true,this will be a shame.I don't think it'll be the end of things though...I'm sure there'll be more stuff worth listening to and watching from various members of SFA.

  • Comment number 2.

    This band, a wonderful, wonderful band - one that has continued to innovate well beyond their early records to create beautifully melodic, interesting, adventurous psych rock. The world needs this band. I be crushed if they break up. A US fan, I came on later to the band - in '06. I lament my lost years not being a fan early on.

    SFA OK. Know you're rabidly loved guys - please don't stop what you do.

  • Comment number 3.

    Sad, sad news. SFA are indeed ok. Thet are up there with the best for their lives shows. Every time I've seen them, I always go away with a smile on my face. TMDGAF is , and in my mind, will always be the finest ending to a set that you could wish for. The euphoria generated is immense, and will always be my abiding memory. That doesn't mean that they are predictable or routine, each tour is different and even better than the previous, full of imaginatition and, more importantly, quality tunes. Tales of chewing gum and whimsical sea creature anthems will live in the memory for a long time time to come.
    The 'Coke' stance just shows the integrity that they have, and it's by the bucket full.
    I hope they return.

  • Comment number 4.

    When the Guardian write about music then it usually happened about 3 years ago.

  • Comment number 5.

    super furry animal? somebody should have put this lame dog down years ago while it still had a few teeth left. but like every other welsh band they seem to be limping on into impotence. SFA have now been together making records for longer than the beatles, but at least the fab 4 had the decency to call it a day when they had run out of ideas. yes guardian - 'they are a group of such magnitude' that nobody wants to give them a record deal anymore. the record industry giveth and the record industry taketh away. they must be gutted at turning down the coke deal, seeing as they really needed the money? but such is their artistic integrity that they would rather people suffer injustice through lack of funds than feel a little nauseous. but come on SFA, it's not like advertising tobacco is it? and taking money from Sony is no different to taking money from Coke?

  • Comment number 6.

    I have seen this band live over 30 times. SFA make music that is innovative and constantly evolving. They are all massively talented musicians with integrity and a great sense of humour. Their songs have always put a smile on my face and they are incredible live.
    I think it is inevitable that people with such creative ability will take time out to explore their own musical paths and that is to be commended. But please SFA, don't ever split up, there will never be anything to replace you.
    (Also, I've waited years for my two sons to reach the age where I can take them to a SFA gig.....so don't let me down now?)

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