What with a mammoth box set ‘Yesterday Today: 1992 – 2018‘ of all of Ocean Colour Scene’s recorded material to date being released by Demon Music Group Gigslutz sat down with their sensational guitar player Steve Cradock to talk about his background, his memories and what he’s up to at present:

Can you tell me a bit about your upbringing?

Lovely upbringing in Olton, had a great youth club, weekly disco’s, films, pool and space invaders. No phones / social media. Spent my time on my bike, a grifter!

What was the first music you can remember hearing?

At the age of 10 a friend played me the 7” of Gangsters by the Specials.

What was the first serious music you can remember hearing?

I remember watching The Jam on TOTP doing Beat Surrender, next day I bought the single. LOVED that song.

Who influenced you to start playing the guitar?

Well, a lot of my friends were into heavy rock, which I hated, so that made me look elsewhere. I would try and copy the lead lines and Brian Travers saxophone melodies off Signing Off, the UB40 album. Other than that, Steve Cropper, Steve Marriott and Paul Weller.

Did you find it easy to start playing the guitar?

No.

It’s well documented that seeing The Stone Roses live in Birmingham was a big influence on yourself. What was it specifically about seeing The Stone Roses that influenced you?

They looked so cool, you knew all of the band members names (which was rare), the playing was old but new at the same time, as were The La’s.

Were you in any previous bands before Ocean Colour Scene?

I was playing four nights a week in shitty working-men’s clubs from the age of 15.

How did Ocean Colour Scene form?

I thought Simon Fowler was a star, but wasn’t a fan of his group, so asked him to set up a new thing which was OCS.

 The first substantial public activity of the band saw you appear on Channel 4’s The Word along with being cover stars on the weekly music papers, whilst creating some stand out music of the period. ‘Sway’ still stands up as classic single, what was the influence behind this track?

The Rolling Stones and The Stone Roses. Sway was quite a new Mod tune, I thought.

Following this flurry of activity, the band disappeared until you guested on Paul Weller track ‘The Weaver’ taken from his Wild Wood album. You’d been a big fan of Weller previously so how did this whole event come to fruition?

Paul phoned my dad and asked if I would be his 2nd guitarist. A really mind-blowing time.

They say don’t meet your heroes, what do you say?

Do!

Following this rebirth you played with Weller in a live capacity which then saw OCS come back with some explosive results namely Moseley Shoals, Chris Evans picking up The ‘Riverboat Song’, TOTP/TV appearances and back on the front covers of the weekly/monthly music publications. Following the OCS debut album and the years of inactivity did you ever think this kind of hive of activity would happen as it did?

It was a surprise, but we were getting to be a good group by then, kinda had our sound and Simon was writing great songs around this time.

Marchin Already, One From The Modern and Mechanical Wonder saw further activity with OCS playing Glastonbury the night Radiohead headlined, Knebworth supporting Oasis plus headline tours the world over. From this period do you have any personal in concert highlights that you could share? 

Can’t remember too much, it was a very busy period. We were doing 200 odd gigs a year, including Paul’s tours and recording the albums you’ve mentioned 

A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad saw you record an album with founding member Damon now out of the band. Were you sad to see Damon leave the band?

It was a shame, but I don’t think Damon had wanted to be in the group for quite a while. I love the Hyperactive album; it was recorded in the Glens of Scotland. I had a family, Sunny was a baby and Cass was on his way, happy days for me.

Further albums On the Leyline, Saturday and Painting saw the band release further musical delights, I personally love the tracks I Just Got Over You, Magic Carpet Days and Painting. Do you have any personal favourite tracks from these long players?

I like those songs, but we were starting to repeat ourselves. We Don’t Look In The Mirror / Weekend / The Winning Side / Go To Sea / These Days / Loneliest Girl In The Whole Wide World / Harry Kidnap / Village Life are some of my faves from this period.

With Demon Music Group releasing a mammoth box set covering all the bands material to date has this been a time to re-evaluate the bands back catalogue?

The box set Demon have done is incredible, everything we’ve ever done right there.

Are the band writing and recording new material?

We are.

You appear to always be busy working with different musicians including Yasmin Kiddle, Leah Weller and PP Arnold to name 3. Do you have any projects in the pipeline that you can mention that you’re working on?

Yasmin Kiddle was great, but unfortunately doesn’t play or sing anymore. We had about 22 songs that would of made a great album, but sadly it wasn’t to be. Leah Weller was real fun, I’ve known her all of her life, love her songs on that record. PP Arnold I was a huge fan and think that album is brilliant, the song Baby Blue should have been a hit, whatever that means, but radio stations didn’t.

Finally, what’s on your turn table at present?

Thee Sacred Souls

Yesterday Today: 1992 – 2018 can be ordered here