Ocean Color Scene frontman Simon Fowler credit broadcaster Chris Evans for the band’s success.
Ocean Color Scene singer Simon Fowler is perpetually grateful for Chris Evans’ help for the band
The Britpop rockers burst into the charts in 1996 with hits resembling ‘The Riverboat Tune’ and the 59-year-old artist thinks that Evans’ championing of the observe on each his TV programme ‘TFI Friday’ and the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Present was an important issue behind the group’s rise.
Simon instructed ‘The XS Noize Podcast’: “It (‘The Riverboat Tune’) went in at 15. Chris Evans performed it for 2 weeks on his morning radio present, it was the document of the week. Then the album got here out and went in at quantity two. We by no means, ever anticipated that in 1,000,000 years.
“That is one among our signatures now. And it is one of many signatures for the 90s due to Chris’ present.
“It’s true with out Chris none of this is able to’ve occurred – Saint Chris of Ocean Color Scene. Beautiful bloke. Each time I see him it is like we’re nonetheless greatest buddies.”
Ocean Color Scene had been supported by the likes of Paul Weller and Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher within the early levels of their profession however Simon believes that Chris’ backing made all of the distinction because it introduced the band into the general public consciousness.
Fowler stated: “Noel, Liam and Paul had been actually supportive and nice, and enjoyable to be with, however with out Chris it would not have occurred.”
Ocean Color Scene are at present touring the UK and Eire and Simon is grateful to the Oasis reunion for sparking a Britpop renaissance – as the gang at their gigs are filled with youngsters.
Simon – who’s joined within the band by guitarist Steve Cradock, drummer Oscar Harrison and bassist Raymond Meade – defined: “We now get youngsters on the entrance who’re 15, 16, and behind them are their mother and father, who had been 15 and 16 after they used to come back and see us. Then on the again you have bought the previous hippies, form of close to the exits in case they get palpitations or one thing and might make a fast exit.
“It is from cradle to grave our demographic. It is fairly nice. I believe the children grew up on their mother and father’ document collections.
“I believe you are seeing the identical factor with the Oasis ticket gross sales. All of the middle-aged persons are going, ‘What are all these youngsters shopping for the tickets up first? How dare they!’ Effectively they’ve grown up listening to their mother and father’ document assortment.
“I suppose the Oasis information has galvanised an curiosity in that period. You have bought Forged, they’re nonetheless nice, Richard Ashcroft continues to be going robust, nonetheless enjoying large locations.”
Ocean Color Scene – UK and Eire Tour dates (*indicated Kula Shaker as very particular friends):
04 Apr London O2 Academy Brixton *
05 Apr Swansea Swansea Enviornment *
07 Apr Truro Corridor For Cornwall *
08 Apr Plymouth Pavilion *
09 Apr Bristol Beacon *
11 Apr Cambridge Corn Change *
12 Apr Manchester Apollo O2 Apollo *
13 Apr Nottingham Rock Metropolis *
15 Apr Glasgow O2 Academy *
16 Apr Glasgow O2 Academy *
18 Apr Aberdeen Music Corridor *
19 Apr Dunfermline Alhambra *
20 Apr Liverpool Mountford Corridor *
22 Apr Limerick Milk Market
24 Apr Dublin 3Olympia Theatre
26 Apr Belfast Ulster Corridor
