Super Furry Animals
Pressing Play
Hello you. Make a cup of tea, put a record on. Welcome to The A to Z of Britpop, your introduction to the bands, music, and characters that defined the most exciting genre of the 1990s. In this article, we introduce Super Furry Animals, the eclectic and boundary-pushing Welsh band that became one of the most innovative forces of Britpop and an iconic part of the Cool Cymru cultural movement.
Britpop was built on personalities, fierce rivalries, soundbites, and, of course, the music that defined a decade. It captured the restless energy of the country and signalled a wave of optimism across the UK that had been missing for years.
Each entry in this series is a fact file, giving you the key details: who they were, where they came from, and what they made. It’s the perfect starting point for revisiting the era if you were there or figuring out why your mum or dad keeps going on about it.
Overview
Originated in: Cardiff, Wales
Active years: 1993–2010, 2015–2016
Associated genres: Britpop, alternative rock, indie rock, power pop, neo-psychedelia, electronica
Record labels: Epic, Creation, XL, Beggars Banquet, Rough Trade, Placid Casual
Members: Gruff Rhys – vocals, guitar / Huw Bunford – lead guitar, vocals / Guto Pryce – bass / Cian Ciaran – keyboards, synthesisers, electronics, vocals / Dafydd Ieuan – drums, vocals
Former members: Rhys Ifans – lead vocals
Formation and Early Years
Formed in Cardiff in 1993 by members of Welsh bands Ffa Coffi Pawb and U Thant.
Initially led by Rhys Ifans on vocals, who left to pursue an acting career, paving the way for Gruff Rhys to take over.
Took their name from T-shirts Rhys’s sister made for the Acid Casuals collective.
Early influences included Blur, Elvis Costello, and experimental techno styles.
Signed to Welsh indie label Ankst in 1995, releasing their first EPs in Welsh, including the record-breaking Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyndrobwllantysiliogogogochynygofod (In Space).
Rise to Prominence
A key part of Cool Cymru, alongside contemporaries like the Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics, and Catatonia, who brought Welsh culture to the forefront of UK music.
Attracted Creation Records’ Alan McGee after a London gig in 1995 and signed to the label.
Released their debut album, Fuzzy Logic (1996), which earned critical acclaim despite modest sales, with hits like "Hometown Unicorn" and "God! Show Me Magic."
Gained cult status with "The Man Don’t Give a Fuck" (1996), a profanity-laden single that became their live show anthem.
Second album Radiator (1997) achieved greater commercial success, blending lush arrangements with experimental sounds.
Commercial Success and Albums
Guerrilla (1999) embraced a more electronic and experimental style, with hits like "Northern Lites," charting at No. 11.
Released Mwng (2000), a Welsh-language album, on their own Placid Casual label, which reached No. 11 on the UK charts and was praised for preserving Welsh culture.
Rings Around the World (2001) became their highest-charting album, reaching No. 3, and was the first album to be simultaneously released on DVD.
Phantom Power (2003) returned to a stripped-back sound, while Love Kraft (2005) showcased a more collaborative and laid-back style.
Later Activities and Legacy
Released Dark Days/Light Years (2009) before going on hiatus in 2010, focusing on side projects such as Gruff Rhys’s solo albums and Dafydd Ieuan’s band The Peth.
Reunited in 2015 for the 15th anniversary of Mwng, playing sold-out gigs and releasing Zoom! The Best of 1995–2016.
Entered a second hiatus after their 2016 tour, with some members forming the electronic project Das Koolies in 2019.
Notable Facts
Super Furry Animals are the band with the most UK Top 40 hits without ever reaching the Top 10.
They turned down a $1.8 million Coca-Cola ad deal over ethical concerns after visiting a Coca-Cola plantation in Colombia.
Paul McCartney contributed to their song "Receptacle for the Respectable" by playing a "carrot and celery rhythm track."
Mwng was commended in Parliament for its contribution to preserving the Welsh language.
Defining Lyric
"Under clouds of my dilemma" - The Man Don’t Give a Fuck (1996)
Discography
Fuzzy Logic (1996)
Radiator (1997)
Guerrilla (1999)
Mwng (2000)
Rings Around the World (2001)
Phantom Power (2003)
Love Kraft (2005)
Hey Venus! (2007)
Dark Days/Light Years (2009)
Essential Listening
"God! Show Me Magic" (1996): A punchy introduction to their quirky, experimental sound.
"Northern Lites" (1999): A calypso-inspired gem showcasing their fearless creativity.
"The Man Don’t Give a Fuck" (1996): Their live anthem, infamous for its repeated expletives and rebellious energy.
Why You Should Be Listening to Super Furry Animals Now
Super Furry Animals remain one of the most imaginative bands of their era, blending humour, experimentation, and boundary-pushing artistry. As icons of Cool Cymru, their music is a kaleidoscopic journey through Welsh culture, Britpop, and beyond.
See you on down the road.
