Ocean Colour Scene
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Ocean Colour Scene (often abbreviated to OCS) are a rock band from Birmingham, England. They were formed after two other local bands called The Boys and Fanatics disbanded. Fanatics released an E.P. titled Suburben Love Songs.
Their first 7" single was called "Sway" and was released in the early '90s UK indie era. The band released several other records and enjoyed a loyal local following, although it wasn't until the Britpop scene that their music became nationally and internationally known, with their songs being featured on Chris Evans' TFI Friday - their hit The Riverboat Song was the backing music when guests were introduced - and the introduction to the film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels was their hit "Hundred Mile High City".
Their sound is deliberately retro, and influenced by sixties rock especially.
Band members
Their traditional line-up has consisted of:
- Steve Cradock; (b. 22 August 1969); guitars, piano, mandolin, E-bow, autoharp, organs and backing vocals
- Simon Fowler, (b. 25 May 1965); vocals, harmonica and acoustic guitar
- Oscar Harrison (b. 15 April 1965); drums, piano and backing vocals.
- Damon Minchella (b. 1 June 1969); bass guitar
Other contributing musicians
- Alison Moyet; backing vocals.
- Tony Hinnegan; cello.
- Paul Weller; electric guitar, organ, piano, backing vocals.
- Jools Holland; piano, hammond organ.
- P.P. Arnold; vocals.
- Rico Rodriguez; trombone.
- Tony Griffiths, Chris Griffiths; backing vocals.
- Brendan Lynch; mellotron.
- Steve White; tabla, timpani, percussion.
- Bryan Travers; saxophone.
- Mick Talbot; keyboards.
- Edgar Summertyme; backing vocals.
- John McCusker; violin, viola.
- Carleen Anderson; backing vocals.
- Mark Feltham; harmonica.
- Kevin Rowe; electric guitar.
- Linda Thompson; vocals.
- Dalbir Singh Rattan; tabla.
- Duncan Mackay; trumpet.
- James Hunt; saxophone.
- Nichol Thompson; trombone.
- Tim Jaques; percussion, drums, timpani.
- Micheal McGoldrick; uilleann pipes, whistle, flute.
- Dave Fowler; Autoharp.
- Helena Payne
Discography
Studio albums
| released | Title | Highest chart position |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Ocean Colour Scene | 54 (upon 1996 re-release) |
| April 1996 | Moseley Shoals | 2 |
| September 1997 | Marchin' Already | 1 |
| September 1999 | One from the Modern | 4 |
| April 2001 | Mechanical Wonder | 7 |
| July 2003 | North Atlantic Drift | 14 | March 2005 | A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad | 30 |
B-sides, Compilations and Lives
| March 1997 | B-sides, Seasides and Freerides | 4 | B-sides compilation of material from the "Moseley Shoals" era. |
| December 2002 | Live on the Riverboat | N/A/ | Live recording of an acoustic concert by Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison and released via their website in limited edition run of 3000 copies. |
| July 2001 | Songs for the Front Row | 16 | Compilation of mainly singles up to 2001 with some other tracks. Also a limited edition was released with bonus live CD. |
| July 2003 | Anthology | 75 | A complete collection of Ocean Colour Scene's material from their debut album up to 2001. Including singles and b-sides. A limited edition CD was released with bonus disc featuring alternative mixes, b-sides and live songs. |
| September 2004 | One for The Road | 99 | A live album taken from their 2004 summer festival tour. |
| April 2005 | Anthology (re-issue) | N/A | Re-issue of 2003's Anthology, including 'Filmed From the Front Row' DVD instead of the origional bonus disc. |
| May 2006 | Live Acoustic at the Jam House | 73 | Live album from a Birmingham acoustic gig in mid-February 2006. |
UK Singles
- 1989 (as The Fanatics) "Suburban Love Songs"
- 1990 "One Of Those Days"
- 1990 "Sway"
- 1991 "Yesterday Today EP" #49
- 1992 "Sway" reissue #88
- 1992 "Giving It All Away" #83
- 1992 "Do Yourself A Favour EP" #94
- Hiatus/Paul Weller's backing band
- 1996 "The Riverboat Song" #15
- 1996 "You've Got It Bad" #7
- 1996 "The Day We Caught the Train" #4
- 1996 "The Circle" #6
- 1997 "Hundred Mile High City" #4
- 1997 "Travellers Tune" #5
- 1997 "Better Day" #9
- 1998 "It's a Beautiful Thing" #12
- 1999 "Profit in Peace" #13
- 1999 "So Low" #34
- 2000 "July / I am the News" #31
- 2000 "The Waves"
- 2001 "Up on the Down Side" #19
- 2001 "Mechanical Wonder" #49
- 2001 "Crazy Lowdown Ways" #64
- 2003 "I Just Need Myself" #13
- 2003 "Make the Deal" #35
- 2004 "Golden Gate Bridge" #40
- 2005 "Free My Name" #23
- 2005 "This Day Should Last Forever" #53
Collaborations
- 1998 England United "(How Does It Feel) To Be On Top Of The World" #9 (Official England World Cup song Featuring Ocean Colour Scene, Echo & the Bunnymen, Space and The Spice Girls)
DVDs & Videos
- 1997 Times of Our Lives [VHS]
- 1998 Travellers Tune [VHS]
- 2003 Filmed From the Front Row [DVD] (re-issued in 2005 as part of the 3 disc Anthology box set)
External links
| Ocean Colour Scene |
| Steve Cradock - Simon Fowler - Oscar Harrison - Damon Minchella |
| Discography |
|---|
| Albums: Ocean Colour Scene - Moseley Shoals - Marchin' Already - One from the Modern - Mechanical Wonder - North Atlantic Drift - A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying quad |
| Notable Songs: ''The Riverboat Song - The Day We Caught the Train |
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