Ocean Colour Scene (often abbreviated to OCS) are an English Britpop band from Birmingham.
They were formed after two other local bands called The Boys and Fanatics disbanded. Fanatics released an E.P. titled Suburban Love Songs. Their first 7" single was called "Sway" and was released in the early 1990s UK indie era. However, when their record label was swallowed up by larger company Phonogram their eponymous debut was mixed, against the band's wishes, to fit in with the Madchester musical trend of the time. With the album largely deemed a failure, and with the band in dispute with their record company, they spent several years in the wilderness. With the explosion of the Britpop scene, OCS's music became nationally and internationally known. Their second album Moseley Shoals was received to critical acclaim, containing four hit singles and reaching the heights of #2 in the UK Albums Chart and the follow up, Marchin' Already displacing Oasis at the top of the charts. Their song "The Riverboat Song" was featured on Chris Evans' TFI Friday as the backing music when guests were introduced, and "Hundred Mile High City" and "July" were used in the film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and the associated television series. More recently, their first hit single "The Riverboat Song" has been featured in the Vinnie Jones film Strength and Honour.
Band members
The original line-up 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, piano, harmonica and acoustic guitar
* Oscar Harrison (b. 15 April 1965) drums, piano and backing vocals.
* Damon Minchella (b. 1 June 1969) bass guitar
Damon Minchella was fired by the band in 2003, temporarily replaced by Gary "Mani" Mounfield for a support slot with Stereophonics and then was permanently replaced by Dan Sealey on bass. Another guitarist, Andy Bennett, was also added, making them a five-piece.
Discography
Studio albums
* 1992 - Ocean Colour Scene
* 1996 - Moseley Shoals
* 1997 - Marchin' Already
* 1999 - One from the Modern
* 2001 - Mechanical Wonder
* 2003 - North Atlantic Drift
* 2005 - A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad
* 2007 - On the Leyline
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