Supergrass have grown up. We don't mean they've grown beards and beer bellies. We mean they've really grown up.

Gone are the songs of a misspent youth, long summer days and police chases. In come tales of fatherhood, personal trauma and exorcising the past.

So, Supergrass' new and fifth album, The Road To Rouen (out August 15) is to be launched not so much in a blaze of pumped-up, guitar-driven glory but in a more subtle, mature manner through a series of acoustic gigs in smaller venues.

"It's going to be interesting using these little theatres and clubs to show people another musical side of the band," says frontman and Kemp Town resident Gaz Coombes.

"We're looking forward to not having to wear earplugs and enjoying the intimacy of the evening - and hopefully having some fun with the audience."

As well as being lucky enough to hear new tracks live, fans will be treated to some old tunes which have had an acoustic makeover.

"We'll have an old friend playing percussion alongside Danny and his home-made drum kit, new songs and a few old ones and a little stage set to give a real close, mellow theatrical vibe," Gaz says.

Much has happened over the past two years to make the band re-assess their lives. They've all become fathers, Gaz and his brother Rob lost their mother and drummer Danny Goffey got embroiled in THAT alleged wife-swapping scandal involving Jude Law and Sadie Frost.

"It's been the weirdest two years of the band's career - extreme highs and lows," says Gaz. "It just makes life challenging.

"During the making of the record there were problems within the band. Danny had to step away for a couple of months. But it was important to complete the album otherwise all those songs and frustrations would have been left hanging around.

"Those things gave the songs more weight and a kind of emotional strength.

"There's a lot on the previous albums that is quite serious and at times dark. I think people gloss over these aspects because it's easier to think of us as cheeky chappies.

"We have of course grown older and this album reflects our mood and where we are at philosophically. But it's definitely been a progression over all our albums. We do still like to enjoy ourselves though."

The band recorded the album in Normandy "to get away, enjoy the countryside and the cheeses".

"It's great to have your own little studio without the pressure of time and studio hire costs mounting up," Gaz says. "It helps with the creative process."

It doesn't seem like 11 years since Supergrass burst into our lives with songs such as Caught By The Fuzz and Alright. But the great uncles of indie-pop, who say they've managed to stay together because of "Pritt Stick and sticky-back plastic," are still capable of surprises and can teach younger bands a thing or two.

"You have to change up a gear which gets harder the older you get," Gaz notes.

"But hey, Neil Young can still rock it."

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