Ocean Colour Scene frontman Simon Fowler credits broadcaster Chris Evans for the band’s success.
The Britpop rockers burst into the charts in 1996 with hits such as ‘The Riverboat Song’ and the 59-year-old artist thinks that Evans’ championing of the track on both his TV programme ‘TFI Friday’ and the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show was a crucial factor behind the group’s rise.
Simon told ‘The XS Noize Podcast’: “It (‘The Riverboat Song’) went in at 15. Chris Evans played it for two weeks on his morning radio show, it was the record of the week. Then the album came out and went in at number two. We never, ever expected that in a million years.
“That’s one of our signatures now. And it’s one of the signatures for the 90s because of Chris’ show.
“It is true without Chris none of this would’ve happened – Saint Chris of Ocean Colour Scene. Lovely bloke. Every time I see him it’s like we’re still best buddies.”
Ocean Colour Scene were supported by the likes of Paul Weller and Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher in the early stages of their career but Simon believes that Chris’ backing made all the difference as it brought the band into the public consciousness.
Fowler said: “Noel, Liam and Paul had been really supportive and great, and fun to be with, but without Chris it wouldn’t have happened.”
Ocean Colour Scene are currently touring the UK and Ireland and Simon is grateful to the Oasis reunion for sparking a Britpop renaissance – as the crowd at their gigs are full of teenagers.
Simon – who is joined in the band by guitarist Steve Cradock, drummer Oscar Harrison and bassist Raymond Meade – explained: “We now get kids at the front who are 15, 16, and behind them are their parents, who were 15 and 16 when they used to come and see us. Then at the back you’ve got the old hippies, sort of near the exits in case they get palpitations or something and can make a quick exit.
“It’s from cradle to grave our demographic. It’s quite great. I think the kids grew up on their parents’ record collections.
“I think you’re seeing the same thing with the Oasis ticket sales. All the middle-aged people are going, ‘What are all these kids buying the tickets up first? How dare they!’ Well they’ve grown up listening to their parents’ record collection.
“I suppose the Oasis news has galvanised an interest in that era. You’ve got Cast, they’re still great, Richard Ashcroft is still going strong, still playing big places.”
Ocean Colour Scene – UK and Ireland Tour dates (*indicated Kula Shaker as very special guests):
04 Apr London O2 Academy Brixton *
05 Apr Swansea Swansea Arena *
07 Apr Truro Hall For Cornwall *
08 Apr Plymouth Pavilion *
09 Apr Bristol Beacon *
11 Apr Cambridge Corn Exchange *
12 Apr Manchester Apollo O2 Apollo *
13 Apr Nottingham Rock City *
15 Apr Glasgow O2 Academy *
16 Apr Glasgow O2 Academy *
18 Apr Aberdeen Music Hall *
19 Apr Dunfermline Alhambra *
20 Apr Liverpool Mountford Hall *
22 Apr Limerick Milk Market
24 Apr Dublin 3Olympia Theatre
26 Apr Belfast Ulster Hall