September 22, 2008 12:33

Graham Coxon responds to Damon Albarn's claim that 'Blur is over'

'It's very complicated,' guitarist admits

Photo Gallery: Blur
Photo: Pa Photos

Graham Coxon has posted a lengthy update on his feelings about the possibility of a Blur reunion on the band's messageboard.

The guitarist was responding to recent comments made by Damon Albarn in an interview with Argentinean newspaper Clarin, where Albarn had said "Blur is over".

Coxon departed in 2002 and the remaining members went on to make 2003's 'Think Tank' album, their last release.

Writing under his username "tweedo" on the forum, Coxon appeared to have been taken by surprise by Albarn's statement.

"Damon didn't consult anybody else before he took it into his own hands to make this comment," he wrote. "Therefore I think it is nonsense. It isn't for him to decide."

A further post, written in a stream-of-consciousness style, went into more detail:

It read: "A good few years ago I said I couldn't ever see myself going back to Blur. People around me said with winks and nudges 'never say never, Gra' and I resented them saying it, but it was a difficult time and we were all hurt.

"I was one, they [Albarn, Alex James and Dave Rowntree] were three and I felt ganged up on a bit. I don't think they meant it to be that way. They were angry, I was angry.

"The anger was all centred around long, deep friendships that were tested and tested by business, mega-fatigue, too much time with each other, problems with the roles we played in the band, a lack of trust and communication.

"It's VERY complicated. I know it seems simple to solve all this...a phone call, an arrangement to meet up, a chat, hugs tears and a date pencilled in at the studio. I foolishly thought it could be that simple too, but I was wrong. Of course I was wrong and so was Alex.

"All four of us are kinda sick you must understand. We had around 12 years of really freakish behaviour, serious personal relationship problems, alcohol addictions and drug problems. You don't come through that without damage, without deep scars. It's the scars that have to be healed and they can't be unless we are willing to heal them ourselves.

"I feel I have done so much work on my own problems, stupidity, malfunctions, defects...as has Alex and Dave. I cant help thinking that Damon is still within a bit of a mad world that Blur were in in 1997 or 1998. Careering headlong into chaos, never resting, never pausing for thought. Because when you pause for thought the thoughts don't always like you. The thoughts tell you stuff you don't want to know or contemplate.

"I think Damon needs to rest and evaluate. I love Damon. I want him safe.

"The facts are like this really: there's no Blur at the moment. Damon probably ain't interested in a Blur that's not the full head count so I think it comes down to me trying again to contact him and talk to him. I tried before, as I said, and left messages.

"I want to do this anyway for the sake of all the years we were so close. But it takes guts. I psyched myself for days to call him last time and got the answering machine. It's a drag to get that after the psyching, the pondering over the mobile phone and the number and the pressing of the call button.

"I may have to psyche all over again. Be patient. No one knows the future, not even Damon."

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