Ocean Colour Scene

Biography

This Birmingham, England-based band survived several lean years in the early 90s to triumph in the Britpop era with a string of hugely popular retro-rock hit singles. Formed from the ashes of several local bands, Simon Fowler (25 May 1965; vocals, ex-Fanatics), Steve Cradock (b. 22 August 1969; guitar, ex-the Boys), Damon Minchella (b. 1 June 1969; bass, ex-Fanatics) and Oscar Harrison (b. 15 April 1965; drums, ex-Echo Base) peddled a rather indistinctive and generic indie guitar sound from 1989 onwards, heavily inspired by the breakthrough of the Stone Roses. Managed by Cradock’s former policeman father Chris, the band recorded their debut single, ‘Sway’, for the Birmingham independent label Phfftt in September 1990. Phonogram Records subsequently recruited Ocean Colour Scene for its Fontana Records roster as a total cost of over £1 million. Rolling Stones producer Jimmy Miller agreed to work on their debut album, sessions for which began in...

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