SUPERGRASS + THE SIXX – CHALK, BRIGHTON 5.5.25
Tonight Supergrass fans get the chance to see the Mercury nominated ‘I Should Coco’ album performed in full, before an encore of the band’s greatest hits. Speaking further on the then forthcoming shows, Mick Quinn said: “15th May 2025 marks 30 years since ‘I Should Coco’. Supergrass are thrilled to announce their return to perform the début album live, in its entirety, for the first time”.
I met Maxine Talulah and Martin Love (Parrot) last year as they both have alternative presences in other bands as well as The Sixx who opened for Supergrass. Over their long careers, The Sixx members have played in seminal bands such as Johnny Moped, The Members, The Fits, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, and Small Town Glory, or performed in Las Vegas. Hence I was very interested in hearing their new project which to quote them “Blends Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty with a Unique Americana Rock Vibe”.
Before anyone points it out, you know you’re itching to, there are only 5 members of The Sixx!
The band have just been together for six months but they play together in perfect unison and energy. This is summed up by their first track ‘Time To Shine’ – liberating and reflecting the combined experience of these musicians. Maxine Talulah has a both a great voice and slick, passionate stage performance. The set is good and solid and their tribe, in attendance, loved it and as Talulah hoped, also won over some new fans. Stand out tracks for me were ‘You Don’t Know’ and ‘Roots’ – “never forget where you come from” Maxine announces – and the closing banger ‘What Were You Thinking’.
The band and the audience enjoyed themselves which is confirmation that The Sixx are on the right trajectory.
The Sixx:
Maxine Talulah – lead vocals & tambourine
Marty Love – drums
Ricky Mcguire – bass
David Blackman – keyboards
Calle Engelmark – guitar & vocals
The Sixx setlist:
‘Time To Shine’
‘Save Your Tears’
‘You Don’t Know’
‘Have Faith In Me’
‘Where Did You Go’
‘This Is Who We Are’
‘Roots’
‘What Were You Thinking’
Tonight Chalk is rammed with Supergrass fans and there’s an overall feeling of love and excitement. My companions haven’t seen them since 1996 so there was great anticipation from them as well!
Sadly, being a short ass didn’t help as I was surrounded by very tall blokes. I swear the guy in front of me was the same one as I got stuck behind at another gig recently! When the mosh pit really kicked off, I moved back to get a better view.
The band entered The Sweet’s ‘Blockbuster’ with Gaz in his signature black hat. It’s a full-on production from the start. These guys weren’t taking any prisoners. Gaz tells the audience that it was the first run through of this set and they were very excited and I guess a little trepidatious!
The old swagger and energy is still there, with bells on. I can’t single out a particular track from the album performance as the standard was superb, however the track that they announced they had never performed live before this night, ‘Sofa (Of My Lethargy)’, really stood out for me.
Of course, everyone loved the encore section of the show where the band delivered some of the old hits. The crowd sang along, danced and hollered their appreciation. The song that hit the spot during the encore was ‘Sun Hits The Sky’ encapsulating, for me, the heart and soul of this remarkable reformed outfit. ‘I Should Coco’ has, overall, stood the passage of time with its punk rock blend and the feeling of in your face liberation is still welcome and pertinent.
Supergrass:
Gaz Coombes – lead vocals, electric & acoustic guitars
Mick Quinn – bass, guitar, backing and lead vocals
Danny Goffey – drums, percussion, bass guitar
Rob Coombes – keyboards, piano
Supergrass setlist:
(Intro tape) ‘Blockbuster’ by Sweet
‘I’d Like To Know’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘Caught By The Fuzz’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘Mansize Rooster’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘Alright’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘Lose It’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘Lenny’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘Strange Ones’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘Sitting Up Straight’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘She’s So Loose’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘We’re Not Supposed To’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘Time’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘Sofa (Of My Lethargy)’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
‘Time To Go’ (from 1995 ‘I Should Coco’ album)
(encore)
‘Moving’ (from 1999 ‘Supergrass’ album)
‘Richard III’ (from 1997 ‘In It For The Money’ album)
‘Late In The Day’ (from 1997 ‘In It For The Money’ album)
‘Sun Hits The Sky’ (from 1997 ‘In It For The Money’ album)
‘Pumping On Your Stereo’ (from 1999 ‘Supergrass’ album)
