Episode 124: Simon Fowler – Ocean Colour Scene

It was a real honour to be joined by Ocean Colour Scene lead-singer and songwriter – Simon Fowler for this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast…
Since the group formed in 1989, OCS have released eleven studio albums including the million-selling Moseley Shoals and the number one Marchin’ Already. Their run of twenty successive Top 20 singles includes the era-defining ‘The Riverboat Song’, ‘The Circle’ ‘The Day We Caught The Train’ and ‘Hundred Mile High City’ (as featured in the film Lock Stock & Two Shooting Barrels). 

My first Weller Gig with OCS in support…

My first Paul Weller gig was Monday 12th October 1992 at Poole Arts Centre in Dorset.
Around six weeks after the release of that first solo album, Paul Weller, and just 70 days after the release of song Uh Huh, Oh Yeh, which had been my first introduction to Paul’s music…
It was a very special evening, me and my best mate Tom, seeing Weller live for the first time. Although how I wish we weren’t up in the seated area and were instead down in the mosh pit! Schoolboy error (literally!).
That gig was also my first introduction to another very special band who’s songs I went on to absolutely love during the 90s and beyond… Ocean Colour Scene.

Connections to Paul Weller…

The band and Paul have had so many connections over the years – playing on each other’s records, hanging out, music videos and TV promo appearances, playing live together and on supporting slots – not least with Steve Cradock and Damon Minchella joining Paul’s band for such long periods too (Steve has been with Paul for around 30 years now!). Check out my chat with Simon here and the links to order his new book – The life & lyrics of Simon Fowler & Ocean Colour Scene – below….

Click your preferred podcast platform to listen…

Simon Fowler, Daniel Rachel, Steve Rowland – One for the Road – Book

Order the book here – One for the Road – The life & lyrics of Simon Fowler & Ocean Colour Scene is published on Thursday 8th December 2022.
In this limited edition, fully illustrated as a hardback coffee table book, Simon has collaborated with his lifelong friend, award-winning author, Daniel Rachel (Podcast Episode 43).
One For The Road is presented as an extended conversation featuring 69 personally hand-selected songs by Simon, including never seen before original handwritten lyrics, 13 unreleased songs, and over 350 hand chosen photographs and rarely seen items of memorabilia. With introductions by both Oscar Harrison and Steve Cradock this new stunning book offers a unique and illuminating visual record of one of the great songwriters.

Ocean Colour Scene & Paul Weller – Later with Jools Holland – 1996

Paul Weller – The Weaver

Simon features on Guitar and Backing vocals on this single – taken from the Wild Wood LP.

Paul Weller – Hung Up

Simon is listed with backing vocals on the Modern Classics album for this song and has a ‘little cameo’ in the promo video saying “I think I was flying, to be quite honest. But weren’t we all!”

Smokin’ Mojo Filters – Come Together

Whilst Simon isn’t credited as performing on the single – he is in the video – with a whole heap of stars!.

Paul Weller – The Circle – Cover – Gary Crowley GLR

Paul covered The Circle on Gary Crowley’s GLR show in 1996.

Ocean Colour Scene – Moseley Shoals

Paul Weller plays organ on The Riverboat Song, guitar on The Circle and piano with backing vocals on One for the Road.

Simon Fowler – A playlist from Desperately Seeking Paul

A music playlist with some of the songs that we talked about on the podcast plus my personal favourites…