Sad news from Wales today with the announcement of a suspension, perhaps permanent, in the activities of the world’s finest psychedelic techno rock band, the Super Furry Animals.

About a year ago I did one of those Facebook things where you have to list all the bands you’ve ever seen. In doing so, I came to the surprising discovery that it was the Super Furry Animals rather than Bonnie Tyler who I had seen live the most. Quite apart from the tanks, the Bill Hicks samples, the expletive-packed hit singles and the costumes, this was a truly great band and one that I’ll miss.

Initially lumped in with all the other sixties revivalistas as part of that dull scene they called Britpop, the Furries transcended the provincial staleness of the time with records that suggested nothing less than the KLF trying to recreate the Monkees at their best.

At times perhaps, they were guilty of trying to commit every idea they’d ever had into the same song, but ambition is central to all great art (take note, Stereophonics fans) and we should be thankful that Simon Cowell has yet to realise just what fantastic melodies lay at the heart of these songs, lest some brainwashed idiot from Nuneaton ends up bringing a RnB-lite version of “Juztaposed with U” into the charts.

So, farewell then, Furries. Thanks for the memories.

In tribute, I’ve made an A-Z of the Furries playlist on Spotify, enjoy.