badly drawn boy

Entertaining and prolific British tunesmith and collaborator of James Lavelle (UNKLE), and UK pop groups Doves, Dakota Oak and Alfie.

Prior to the release of his debut album, Damon was responsible for five EPs of gloriously scratchy, groovy, tuneful songs that veer between half-formed nursery rhymes to straight-ahead garage rock to the danceable breezy pop of "Once Around The Block". Oh, and if you really want to own the first EP, be prepared to mortgage your house.

The debut album, "The Hour Of Bewilderbeast" was released in August 2000 to a warm critical and commercial response. The album also won Britain's "prestigious" Mercury Music Prize, beating the Coldplay album, among others.

Damon also co-runs the exceptional Twisted Nerve record label with frequent collaborator and fine musician-in-his-own-right Andy Votel.

Unlike fellow head-adornment fan Mr. Jay "flash motors and a flashing missus" Kay, Gough has had his headgear swiped by a cheeky thief directly from whence it rested - i.e. atop his noggin, while innocently passing the time in a café.

"The guy who grabbed it must have been really drunk" explained Gough, but the Mancunian culprit soon sobered up, as the hat was returned in time for the charity auction in aid of Kosovo in which it was due to star on 2nd February.

Gough is philosophical about the attack on the famous hat (which is rather sweetly on permanent loan from his girlfriend's aunt) saying of the theft "people warned me it would happen one day".

He was less relaxed about outbidding the likes of ex-Smithsers Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke to gain joyful re-possession of the hat for the princely sum of £1500.

The innocent days of carefree bonnet-wearing are, however, over; there has been talk of having the hat insured , to henceforth be brought out on "Special Occasions" only.