The Battle of Britpop between Blur and Oasis remains the era's greatest feud, but the chart-fighting and name-calling wasn't the only drama to come out of the '90s UK music scene. Elastica's Justine Frischmann and Blur's Damon Albarn famously dated from 1991 to 1998, and now the former has offered some insight into the relationship in a new interview — and she's not looking back at Cool Britannia as fondly as some people.
In an interview from the latest issue of Uncut, Frischmann says she was grateful for her experiences with the band, but ultimately believed that the whole thing got blown up far too big, too fast.
"For a while it was so exciting," she said [as pointed out by NME]. "Honestly, I don't think many people get to experience that kind of trajectory and I'm so grateful to have experienced that feeling. But the cons were that we did way too much too soon and it got bigger than any of us were ready for, or wanted. One minute we were touring in a van, lying on top of the amps and it was us against the world. The next, we had buses and trucks and catering and so many crew we didn't even know who half of them were."
She also discussed the professional rivalry between herself and Albarn, and the detrimental affect that Elastica's success in America had on their relationship.
"I think it was hard for Damon when Elastica started getting some success in America," Frischmann said. "It's funny because we both thought we were too evolved for classic gender roles, but looking back he thought his band more important because he was the guy. And on some level I did, too."
Frischmann currently resides in California, where she's working as a painter and says she has no plans to reform the group. The rest of Elastica, meanwhile, spurred rumours of a band reunion earlier this year when they shared photos working in the studio together.
Turns out, that was likely related to an upcoming reissue; the band's 1995 self-titled debut album will be getting reissued. Again. Elastica's latest reissue is due in conjunction with Record Store Day on April 22 via Rough Trade.
In an interview from the latest issue of Uncut, Frischmann says she was grateful for her experiences with the band, but ultimately believed that the whole thing got blown up far too big, too fast.
"For a while it was so exciting," she said [as pointed out by NME]. "Honestly, I don't think many people get to experience that kind of trajectory and I'm so grateful to have experienced that feeling. But the cons were that we did way too much too soon and it got bigger than any of us were ready for, or wanted. One minute we were touring in a van, lying on top of the amps and it was us against the world. The next, we had buses and trucks and catering and so many crew we didn't even know who half of them were."
She also discussed the professional rivalry between herself and Albarn, and the detrimental affect that Elastica's success in America had on their relationship.
"I think it was hard for Damon when Elastica started getting some success in America," Frischmann said. "It's funny because we both thought we were too evolved for classic gender roles, but looking back he thought his band more important because he was the guy. And on some level I did, too."
Frischmann currently resides in California, where she's working as a painter and says she has no plans to reform the group. The rest of Elastica, meanwhile, spurred rumours of a band reunion earlier this year when they shared photos working in the studio together.
Turns out, that was likely related to an upcoming reissue; the band's 1995 self-titled debut album will be getting reissued. Again. Elastica's latest reissue is due in conjunction with Record Store Day on April 22 via Rough Trade.
We are excited to announce that we will be reissuing Elastica's debut album 'Elastica' on vinyl for UK+Ireland @recordstoreday on 22 April! pic.twitter.com/eFTyMFVdaq
— Rough Trade Records (@RoughTradeRecs) March 16, 2017
