I'm interviewing the Super Furry Animals tomorrow...

I do have a serious question, actually -- the concerts I've seen, which certainly make up a very very tiny percentage of their many shows, have always struck me as pretty studied. They're capable of really peppy and joyful music but I've never seen that translated into their actual performances -- hearing something like "(Drawing) Rings Around the World" delivered so formally was a disappointment, and Donut Bitch and I pretty much agreed after the last go rounds in America before this year that they would be much better off as a studio band in the end, a la Steely Dan [for a long while] or XTC. I guess I'm trying to ask how they view themselves as perfomers on stage -- are they ever interested in really putting a show as such or do they prefer to just deliver the songs and be done with it, and let their films and backdrops carry the concerts?

Don't know which gigs you've seen them in, but when I've seen them play in NYC (twice, so far) they were pretty sober. If they were bored, it was well hidden.

(And must say, p#0, how lucky I think you are, as well. Had to be said.)

Ask how they plan to top the vid for Golden Retriever. Hell, can you even?

Also, how do their keep their drive and exhuberance going throughout each record?

Was the relationship with the the producer of Phantom Power a happy one? The DVD commentary suggested that it was not. Would they choose to work with him again?

How many times have they been asked why on earth they are opening for Grandaddy and not the other way around?

Another Welsh language album planned in the near future?

Only about an hour left now before I go for any other questions...

Also, Nichole, I'll be the first to admit just how lucky I am! It was strange as I read something somewhere stating that it's always when you least expect it that something happens, and I thought "nothing interesting has happened to me for ages". About ten minutes later I get the phone call....

you will find yourself asking this whether you like it or not.

ask them why they keep hiding behind technology instead of getting on with the frequently splendid songwriting they're so good at.

Er yeah, that was what I meant....

"You could try asking Gruff how he got home after the Flaming Lips gig at Bristol in January."

Ooh funny - I saw him at the end of that and he was asking me as to the whereabouts of some people he was supposed to be getting a lift home with. History doesn't recall whether he found them though