Caught by the Fuzz

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“Caught By The Fuzz”
“Caught By The Fuzz” cover
Single by Supergrass
from the album I Should Coco
B-side "Strange Ones"
Released 24 October, 1994 (UK)
Format CD, 7", TC
Recorded Sawmills Studio
1994
Genre Britpop, Pop punk
Length 02:17
Label Parlophone
Writer(s) Supergrass
Producer Sam Williams
John Cornfield
Supergrass singles chronology
"Caught By The Fuzz"
(1994)		 "Mansize Rooster"
(1995)

"Caught by the Fuzz" was the first single by Britpop band Supergrass. The single was initially released in August 1994 on Backbeat Records, with a limited number of 1000 copies pressed (it is believed that more copies have been pressed since Supergrass signed to Parlophone), on only a 7" vinyl format[1]. "Caught by the Fuzz" comprised of the A-side, and "Strange Ones" the B-side. They are, however, both slightly different versions to the ones that can be found on later releases (ie. those on the Parlophone label).

The song is written around the true-life incident of leadsinger Gaz Coombes' arrest, for being caught using a controlled substance at the age of fifteen[2]. One of the members of the Seattle rock band Presidents of the United States of America said in regards to "Caught by the Fuzz"; "This song is exactly what being a teenager sounds like[3]."

The single just missed out on the Top 40 by reaching #43 in the UK Singles Chart, but failed to chart in the US[4][5]. The song was also notably included in John Peel's Festive 50 at number five at the time of its release in 1994[6].

"Caught by the Fuzz" was used as the closing theme tune of the 2007 movie, Hot Fuzz, and features on the official soundtrack album[7].

Contents

[edit] Track listing

CD CDR6396

  1. "Caught By The Fuzz" (2:17)
  2. "Strange Ones" (3:39)
  3. "Caught By The Fuzz (Acoustic)" (3:02)

7" R6396 / TC TCR6396

  1. "Caught By The Fuzz" (2:17)
  2. "Strange Ones" (3:39)

[edit] Notable Performances

On one occasion Supergrass played "Caught by the Fuzz" on Top of the Pops via satellite[8]. The film pictured Mick Quinn wearing a T-shirt with Hugh Grant's mug shot printed onto it, (this was around the time Hugh Grant was arrested for lewd conduct with a prostitute[9]) which suggested a connection with the actor and the overall theme of the Supergrass song. This was probably to make up for the fact that the band were not allowed to use this same photo for the cover of "Caught by the Fuzz" (See Single Artwork below for more.)

During one performance at Leicester University Ball, Supergrass convinced a real policeman to introduce the song[10].

On a final night of supporting the Foo Fighters in Europe, Taylor Hawkins of band joined Supergrass to play the drums on "Caught by the Fuzz". In an interview on "A Home Movie: Documentary" from Supergrass Is 10, Danny Goffey recalls Hawkins playing the drums "at about 500 miles per hour". [11]

[edit] Single Artwork

The sleeve cover is a black and white caricature of a policeman pointing his finger accusingly, encapsulating the idea of being 'caught by the fuzz'. A mug shot of Hugh Grant (this was around the time Hugh Grant was arrested for lewd conduct with a prostitute[12]) was originally intended to be the artwork of the US single sleeve, but the idea was later dropped after Grant's lawyers complained[13][14].

[edit] Music Video

The video is a montage of footage of the band, onstage and offstage, filmed on a Super 8 camera[15]. It was also the directors, Dom and Nic's, first ever music video.

The music video for the single appears in the US animation Beavis & Butthead episode "Sprout" (1996)[16].

[edit] Other Music Videos

There is a video for the acoustic version of Caught by the Fuzz as well, which was filmed in the same fashion as the original "Caught by the Fuzz" music video, except using different footage and with the addition of some scenes of Morris dancers.

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Strange Ones Supergrass Site
  2. ^ The Strange Ones Supergrass Site
  3. ^ Caught By The Fuzz by Supergrass Songfacts
  4. ^ The Strange Ones Supergrass Site
  5. ^ Supergrass biography : beginnings, career, success
  6. ^ John Peel's Festive 50's - 1977 - 2003
  7. ^ Amazon.co.uk: Hot Fuzz Soundtrack: Various Artists: Music
  8. ^ YouTube - Supergrass - Caught By The Fuzz (TOTP via satellite)
  9. ^ Hugh Grant Mugshot
  10. ^ The Strange Ones Supergrass Site
  11. ^ YouTube - Supergrass, caught by the fuzz,Foos Taylor Hawkins guests!
  12. ^ Hugh Grant Mugshot
  13. ^ BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Music | Highlights from the Britpop year
  14. ^ http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=haEfq-nKqjgC&pg=RA1-PA3-IA344&lpg=RA1-PA3-IA344&dq=supergrass+hugh+grant&source=web&ots=Ti2G2jbgkN&sig=dPKBvzhnyS7it5v_JE6ucI3F6tw&hl=en
  15. ^ Boards :: Dom & Nic
  16. ^ "Beavis and Butt-Head" Sprout (1996) - Soundtracks
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