Ahead of The Pad Presents… Ocean Colour Scene gig at the Corn Exchange on 26th November, (tickets available here) Clanger muso Richard Smith caught up with lead singer Simon Fowler:
Ocean Colour Scene and Bedford go way back. According to singer, Simon Fowler they first played Esquires in 1990. Now, this is where it gets a little weird because I definitely saw them at the Corn Exchange the same year. I asked promoter Kev Bailey: the Esquires gig definitely happened. Kev remembers it well; it was the first gig he promoted. A follow-up show at Esquires in December had to be moved to the Corn Exchange because the band were snow-bound in Brum. So I hadn’t dreamt it.
In the years following they played Esquires (at least twice, possibly thrice); legendary pub The Angel (Elstow Road) and Bedford Festival, Lazy Sunday (Bring back Lazy Sunday !) The acquaintance is renewed at the Corn Exchange on 26th November, courtesy of Pad Presents, when OCS will run through ‘Marchin’ Already’ in its entirety. I asked Simon Fowler a few questions, in a sort of ‘Hello, you must be Simon Fowler. How do you do ?’ kind of way. Here’s what the swimming singer said….
(To be fair, he’s not alone in that. We all like a good swim and sing, right ? Apart from those of us who can’t swim. And the tone-deaf.)
Clanger : How’s it going ? What have you been up to today ?
Simon : All good here, and been swimming.
C: What inspired you to join/form a band ?
S: The Beatles.
C: How did you come up with the name ‘Ocean Colour Scene’ ?
S: Putting 3 words we liked together.
C: Growing up, what were the best clubs you went to in Brum ?
S: Sweat Club at Birmingham Institute.
C: When you formed OCS, was there a masterplan ?
S: Just to stay together as a band through thick and thin.
C: What would you say is your greatest achievement as a band ?
S: Staying together for 25 years.
C: Bedford first date on the tour. Do you remember the last time you played Bedford ?
S: Bedford “Esquires Club”, was the beginning of our success in the early 90’s. We literally brought the roof down.
C: Who’s playing the bass ?
S: Andy .
C: Any musical ambitions unfulfilled ?
S: The forthcoming release of a second “Merrymouth” album.
C: What do you do with your spare time ? Got any hobbies not related to music ?
S: Reading, drinking and swimming, and not necessarily in that order.
C: Any websites you check daily ?
S: No.
C: What’s on the OCS stereo at the moment ?
S: Linda Thompson’s new album “Won’t Be Long Now”.
C: Can you describe the OCS sound ?
S: No, that’s your job.
C: What’s your favourite piece of rock memorabilia ?
S: The Jam guitar Paul gave to Steve for his birthday.
C: Any ridiculous OCS merchandise which you have had to veto ?
S: OCS dolls.
So, there you have it. Tidy. Like the band themselves. Thanks to Kevin Bailey for his help.
