Diamond Hoo Ha Man
Encyclopedia
"Diamond Hoo Ha Man" is a song by British
rock band Supergrass
. The single was first played live at Guilfest
2007 in Guildford
, England
, and this live version was then released as a free download via the band's website (as was its B-side "345"). It is the first official single from the band's sixth album, Diamond Hoo Ha
, and was released January 14, 2008 as a vinyl-only single, limited to 1,500 copies, thus limiting its chances of charting, which it failed to do. An instrumental version of the song was recorded by Biff Hyman (Mick Quinn
) for the Duke Diamond and Friends: Glange Fever Motion Picture Soundtrack.
Danny Goffey
described the character of the "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" mentioned in the song; "Maybe he's like a really dodgy Fear and Loathing
[in Las Vegas]-type travelling salesmen – he does his work but always has another plan in his head, something a bit seedy. But with the album, Diamond Hoo Ha
also means a really good time. A "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" is someone who's a bit excessive."
The title of the song was in fact praised by Nick Cave
, with Gaz Coombes
saying; "It's a great image, not as good as one of David Bowie
's weird characters, but it reminds me of one of those. We were batting it around, then Nick [Launay] said he'd spoken to Nick Cave and mentioned it as a possible title and he went, 'Yeah, man, I love it.' He has good album titles and if he likes it..."
This song has recently been used as background music in advertisements for Gatorade
and ESPN
's World Series of Poker
.
The video opens with the following statement:
"Supergrass
were not available for the making of this video.
But upon hearing the song on Radio Free Europe
, Berlin
's Diamond Hoo Ha Men decided to create their own cinematic salute to Supergrass
.
Thank you & enjoy"
This is because the other members of the band (Mick Quinn
and Rob Coombes
) are not present, instead Danny Goffey
and Gaz Coombes
take on the role of the Diamond Hoo Ha Men under their alter-egos of Randy Hoo Ha and Duke Diamond. Mick's absence was probably due to his accident in August 2007.
The first scene shows Danny Goffey
opening the door of a house in response to the doorbell being rung. There, additional guitarist Charly Coombes
stands at the doorway, dressed as a 1970sesque badminton
player under the alter-ego of Chas Harrison (ex-Middlesex
County Champion Badminton
Pro, now 'manager' of the band.)
Charly then shouts "Randy, come on! Where's Duke? The car's here!", to which Danny calls out "Duke!" to encourage Gaz Coombes
to hurry up. Gaz joins them as they progress to the Cadillac
waiting outside, with pink furry dice hanging from its rear view mirror, where a chauffeur opens the car door for them all. As they drive off the song itself begins. Then footage of the Diamond Hoo Ha Men live onstage is shown, with captions of 'Duke Diamond' and 'Randy Hoo Ha' to coincide with their appearance in the video and Charly joining them onstage to hit shuttlecock
s at the audience with his badminton
racket (This is because Gaz Coombes
is apparently afraid of feathers).
The video then changes between film of scenes such as the band live (sometimes in black outfits, sometimes in the same outfits but white), in the Cadillac
, Gaz and Danny as seen through a fisheye lens
camera, people with obscure clown-like
masks playing table tennis
and dancing and images of the two during a sunset
. As the handclaps in the song begin, the camera focuses on the Diamond Hoo Ha Men's clapping hands and duplicates the image of this several times across the screen. Finally the video ends with the Cadillac
driving into the sunset
.
Gaz Coombes
plays a black Fender Telecaster
Deluxe guitar throughout the video.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
rock band Supergrass
Supergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
. The single was first played live at Guilfest
GuilFest
GuilFest, formerly the Guildford Festival of Folk and Blues is a music festival held in Stoke Park, Guildford, England each July. The festival, like the larger Glastonbury Festival, features a range of genres including rock, folk, blues, and in recent years pop...
2007 in Guildford
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and this live version was then released as a free download via the band's website (as was its B-side "345"). It is the first official single from the band's sixth album, Diamond Hoo Ha
Diamond Hoo Ha
Diamond Hoo Ha is the sixth and final studio album by British rock band Supergrass, released in the UK on 24 March 2008, and offers a return to punchier Supergrass songs, in comparison to the more mellow Road To Rouen, their previous album released in 2005. Several songs appearing on the album were...
, and was released January 14, 2008 as a vinyl-only single, limited to 1,500 copies, thus limiting its chances of charting, which it failed to do. An instrumental version of the song was recorded by Biff Hyman (Mick Quinn
Mick Quinn
Mick Quinn is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known as founding member of English rock band Supergrass. He formed the DB Band with bassist Paul Wilson, formerly of Shake Appeal in 2010 and released début EP "Stranger In The Alps" on the 17th September 2011...
) for the Duke Diamond and Friends: Glange Fever Motion Picture Soundtrack.
Danny Goffey
Danny Goffey
Daniel Robert Goffey Daniel Robert Goffey Daniel Robert Goffey (born 7 February 1974 in Slough, Buckinghamshire (now Berkshire) is an English musician and singer-songwriter best known as the drummer and backing vocalist for the English Britpop band, Supergrass...
described the character of the "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" mentioned in the song; "Maybe he's like a really dodgy Fear and Loathing
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (novel)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream is an autobiographical novel by Hunter S. Thompson, illustrated by Ralph Steadman. The book is a roman à clef, rooted in autobiographical incidents. The story follows its protagonist, Raoul Duke, and his attorney, Dr...
[in Las Vegas]-type travelling salesmen – he does his work but always has another plan in his head, something a bit seedy. But with the album, Diamond Hoo Ha
Diamond Hoo Ha
Diamond Hoo Ha is the sixth and final studio album by British rock band Supergrass, released in the UK on 24 March 2008, and offers a return to punchier Supergrass songs, in comparison to the more mellow Road To Rouen, their previous album released in 2005. Several songs appearing on the album were...
also means a really good time. A "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" is someone who's a bit excessive."
The title of the song was in fact praised by Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nicholas Edward "Nick" Cave is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, and occasional film actor.He is best known for his work as a frontman of the critically acclaimed rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, established in 1984, a group known for its eclectic influences and...
, with Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the English alternative rock band, Supergrass. He first entered the music scene aged sixteen as the lead singer of the band The Jennifers which featured Supergrass band mate Danny Goffey...
saying; "It's a great image, not as good as one of David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's weird characters, but it reminds me of one of those. We were batting it around, then Nick [Launay] said he'd spoken to Nick Cave and mentioned it as a possible title and he went, 'Yeah, man, I love it.' He has good album titles and if he likes it..."
This song has recently been used as background music in advertisements for Gatorade
Gatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
and ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's World Series of Poker
World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker is a world-renowned series of poker tournaments held annually in Las Vegas and, since 2005, sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment...
.
Tracklisting
Limited edition chocolate 7" R6753- "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" (3:26)
- "345" (3:39)
Music video
- DirectorMusic video directorA music video director is driven by a given music track. These are called music videos and are then used as promotional tools for popular music singles...
: Charly CoombesCharly CoombesCharly Coombes is an English multi-instrumentalist and vocalist....
(A.K.A Chas Harrison)
The video opens with the following statement:
"Supergrass
Supergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
were not available for the making of this video.
But upon hearing the song on Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a broadcaster funded by the U.S. Congress that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East "where the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed"...
, Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
's Diamond Hoo Ha Men decided to create their own cinematic salute to Supergrass
Supergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
.
Thank you & enjoy"
This is because the other members of the band (Mick Quinn
Mick Quinn
Mick Quinn is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known as founding member of English rock band Supergrass. He formed the DB Band with bassist Paul Wilson, formerly of Shake Appeal in 2010 and released début EP "Stranger In The Alps" on the 17th September 2011...
and Rob Coombes
Rob Coombes
Rob Coombes was the keyboard player for Supergrass.He is the older brother of Gaz Coombes and was the newest member of Supergrass, officially joining in 2002...
) are not present, instead Danny Goffey
Danny Goffey
Daniel Robert Goffey Daniel Robert Goffey Daniel Robert Goffey (born 7 February 1974 in Slough, Buckinghamshire (now Berkshire) is an English musician and singer-songwriter best known as the drummer and backing vocalist for the English Britpop band, Supergrass...
and Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the English alternative rock band, Supergrass. He first entered the music scene aged sixteen as the lead singer of the band The Jennifers which featured Supergrass band mate Danny Goffey...
take on the role of the Diamond Hoo Ha Men under their alter-egos of Randy Hoo Ha and Duke Diamond. Mick's absence was probably due to his accident in August 2007.
The first scene shows Danny Goffey
Danny Goffey
Daniel Robert Goffey Daniel Robert Goffey Daniel Robert Goffey (born 7 February 1974 in Slough, Buckinghamshire (now Berkshire) is an English musician and singer-songwriter best known as the drummer and backing vocalist for the English Britpop band, Supergrass...
opening the door of a house in response to the doorbell being rung. There, additional guitarist Charly Coombes
Charly Coombes
Charly Coombes is an English multi-instrumentalist and vocalist....
stands at the doorway, dressed as a 1970sesque badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
player under the alter-ego of Chas Harrison (ex-Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
County Champion Badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
Pro, now 'manager' of the band.)
Charly then shouts "Randy, come on! Where's Duke? The car's here!", to which Danny calls out "Duke!" to encourage Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the English alternative rock band, Supergrass. He first entered the music scene aged sixteen as the lead singer of the band The Jennifers which featured Supergrass band mate Danny Goffey...
to hurry up. Gaz joins them as they progress to the Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
waiting outside, with pink furry dice hanging from its rear view mirror, where a chauffeur opens the car door for them all. As they drive off the song itself begins. Then footage of the Diamond Hoo Ha Men live onstage is shown, with captions of 'Duke Diamond' and 'Randy Hoo Ha' to coincide with their appearance in the video and Charly joining them onstage to hit shuttlecock
Shuttlecock
A shuttlecock, sometimes called a bird or birdie, is a high-drag projectile used in the sport of badminton. It has an open conical shape: the cone is formed from sixteen or so overlapping feathers, usually goose or duck and from the left wing only, embedded into a rounded cork base...
s at the audience with his badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
racket (This is because Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the English alternative rock band, Supergrass. He first entered the music scene aged sixteen as the lead singer of the band The Jennifers which featured Supergrass band mate Danny Goffey...
is apparently afraid of feathers).
The video then changes between film of scenes such as the band live (sometimes in black outfits, sometimes in the same outfits but white), in the Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
, Gaz and Danny as seen through a fisheye lens
Fisheye lens
In photography, a fisheye lens is a wide-angle lens that takes in a broad, panoramic and hemispherical image. Originally developed for use in meteorology to study cloud formation and called "whole-sky lenses", fisheye lenses quickly became popular in general photography for their unique, distorted...
camera, people with obscure clown-like
Clown
Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
masks playing table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
and dancing and images of the two during a sunset
Sunset
Sunset or sundown is the daily disappearance of the Sun below the horizon in the west as a result of Earth's rotation.The time of sunset is defined in astronomy as the moment the trailing edge of the Sun's disk disappears below the horizon in the west...
. As the handclaps in the song begin, the camera focuses on the Diamond Hoo Ha Men's clapping hands and duplicates the image of this several times across the screen. Finally the video ends with the Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
driving into the sunset
Sunset
Sunset or sundown is the daily disappearance of the Sun below the horizon in the west as a result of Earth's rotation.The time of sunset is defined in astronomy as the moment the trailing edge of the Sun's disk disappears below the horizon in the west...
.
Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes
Gaz Coombes is an English musician and singer-songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the English alternative rock band, Supergrass. He first entered the music scene aged sixteen as the lead singer of the band The Jennifers which featured Supergrass band mate Danny Goffey...
plays a black Fender Telecaster
Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
Deluxe guitar throughout the video.