Ffion Riordan-Jones speaks with Simon Fowler about growing as an artist, and looking back to the past.
The 1990s’ music scene in the UK was largely dominated by Britpop; emblazoned with the Union Flag, this movement was a cross between alternative and pop rock, and saw the likes of Oasis and Blur create legendary albums that heavily influence the current indie climate today.
A band that rose to success during this period was Ocean Colour Scene, a Birmingham outfit with a collection of top 10 albums and 17 top 40 singles. Either known for their vigorous sets or being the opening theme song for TFI Friday, Ocean Colour Scene are a band applauded for their originality and slick records.
Their upcoming set at the much anticipated Caerphilly Castle concert is a celebration of the record that put the band on the map, Moseley Shoals. Ahead of the show, singer Simon Fowler reflected on the band’s career.
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What are you looking forward to about performing at Caerphilly Castle?
Well I don’t think that I have ever been to Caerphilly! It sounds exciting with it being sold out. Steve (Cradock) isn’t doing this concert with us as he’s in America with The Specials. I’m sad he can’t be there, but we have Barry from the Fratellis coming to play bass with us.
What memories do you have of playing in Wales?
I lived in Wales for a while and my family is partly Welsh on my mum’s side. I lived in Cardiff for a year doing my journalist diploma back in the 80s. We recorded an album in Rockfield, but I remember a great gig we played supporting the Stereophonics. That was really good fun.
How would you describe your sets now compared to when you first started?
I just think that when you first start playing you want everything to sound precise and almost sound exactly like the record, whereas now we really know the blueprints and sort of make it up as we go along! I really like that spontaneity we have. We are also a lot better singers and musicians to when we started than when we were kids.
As an album, what does Moseley Shoals mean to you?
It’s the album that we will always be remembered for. It’s the album that gave us the opportunity to become a proper band and go tour the world, play festivals and make a living out of it. Without Moseley Shoals I don’t know what would have happened to us really. That was largely down to Chris Evans. He was enormously helpful to us for playing The Riverboat Song. That’s what made us really, it’s all down to Chris and I’ll forever be grateful to him.
If you had to collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
My hero is Neil Young. I met him once but I was so nervous I could barely talk to him. I don’t think that would make for a good collaboration! It would probably be a bit easier than Bob Dylan though, wouldn’t it?
What bands are you listening to at the moment?
I have no idea what music is like today, I still listen to Radio 4. I get slightly frightened when I read reviews of bands in The Times and I have no idea who they are because I haven’t heard of them. It isn’t really for me.
Do you have any plans for the future that you can tell us about?
We have a big tour at the end of the year. But I need to write, I haven’t written for a while and I really need to. Maybe Oscar and I will go out and do a few acoustic gigs. We have really concentrated putting everything into this year that I feel we may have a quieter year next year.
Ocean Colour Scene, Caerphilly Castle, Sat 17 Sept. Tickets: sold out. Info: your.caerphilly.gov.uk