1) For one gig only you can replace Simon and Steve with anyone dead or alive, who would you choose and why? (from Scott Ryder)

My friend Chaz would be Steve, and I'd pick Paul Weller for Si.

2) Can you give me some golf tips as I'm just starting up? (from Mathew Doughty)

Learn to keep your head still!

3) Whats your favourite OCS song? (from Mathew Doughty)

Fleeting Mind or Drive Away.

4) Do you feel that your style of drumming resembles anyone elses? (from Gareth Probert)

Animal from The Muppets!

5) How is your back holding up after the trouble you've had with it, and has it affected your playing in any way? (from Richard Stevenson)

No, the only thing I've done is start using a stool with a back-rest.

6) How do you feel about having a track with you on lead vocals included on the new album, and have you sang lead on others in the past that haven't seen the light of day? (from Richard Stevenson)

No this is my first song, and I'm absolutely terrified of singing it live!

7) Am I right in saying you wrote 'Don't Play' (bside to 'Giving It All Away') and did you play all the instruments on it? (from Richard Stevenson)

Yeah I did, and I programmed the instruments on a Korg.

8) Are there any plans to have the guest artists on the new record join you for some of the dates on the tour? (from Richard Stevenson)

I don't think so.

9) Are there any songs that haven't been released througout your career that you'd like to see on an album or perform live? (from Richard Stevenson)

Loads of them! Loads are ballads and I can't think of any titles, mostly early stuff from The Fanatics through to early OCS songs.

10) Are there any plans for any acoustic tours? (from Richard Stevenson)

I think there will be, you'll have to wait and see.

11) Will you be singing 'My Time' on the tour? (from Paul Hancock)

Definitely not and I hope the fans don't ask for it, either!

12) Now that you've done 'My Time', are you going to sing solo on more songs? (from Rowena Evans)

Don't know, all I can say is when we recorded the new album we had a lot of fun and as for future songs, who knows!

13) What's the moeller technique for drumming and do you use it? (from Gavin Campbell)

Don't know so I guess I don't use it!

14) What was your first drum kit and which kit is your favourite? (from Martin Gooderham)

My first was a Pearl Export kit that was green, my fave is a Ludwig.

15) When you were growing up, which drummers did you look upon as your idols? (from Martin Gooderham)

Without a shadow of a doubt - Keith Moon.

16) Which instrument did you learn to play first? (from Stewart Lyle)

The piano. I had a few lessons but I didn't like them as you had to play and learn "by the book".

17) What microphone do you use to record your kit? (from Stewart Lyle)

Shure ones.

18) Have you got any tips on playing drums and what's the easiest way to become better at fills? (from Graeme)

The way I learnt was by watching everyone else to be honest, and practice makes perfect.

19) Mampy or flatbelly? (from yer old pal Barbados)

Flatbelly most definitely, respect!!!

20) Which gig sticks out in your mind as the one where the atmosphere was electric and the crowd blew you away? (from Graham McNevin)

Knebworth, when we supported Oasis back in 1995. I remember before we went on stage I said to Simon, "Why did you have to put 'oh la la' into a song? No-ones gonna go for that", and when we played 'Train' all you could hear was 250,000 people singing along to it. Si turned around during the chorus and just gave me the look! Also, gigs at the Glasgow Barrowlands and the Royal Albert Hall.

21) Do you really dislike playing 'Policemen and Pirates' that much live? (from Steven Hassall)

I'm sure Steve mentioned playing it again, so we might play it on this tour.

22) Who is your music idol? (from Steven Hassall)

I grew up listening to Burning Spear, and I read somewhere that my name means "divine spear" so I guess it kind of fits!

23) If you could jump forward 20 years, which album do you think would best showcase the "sound" of OCS? (from Steven Hassall)

'Moseley Shoals', but on the other hand, 'Hyperactive' is more like us.

24) If you had the chance to sing any OCS song, which would it be and why? (from Steven Hassall)

'Fleeting mind', 'Mariners Way' or 'Perfect Stranger', I love those songs.

25) What are your thoughts about the inclusion of three cover songs on the new album - did this decision come at an early stage in the album production or in the latter stages? (from Steven Hassall)

I think it's good. We never intentionally did them, the songs are just ones we've always wanted to do, and 'Start Of The Day' is kind of a tribute to The Real People. Obviously Si chose to do 'Wah Wah'. and 'My Time' is a song I used to listen to when I went out on a weekend.

26) Where would you say you like best to play in the UK? (from Graham Lamont)

Glasgow Barrowlands without a doubt.

27) Who do you think are the best band that have supported OCS? (from Jamie Cameron)

The Real People.

28) In terms of your drumming, what do you think is the best OCS album? (from Jamie Cameron)

'Moseley Shoals'

29) Why do you always watch the support act at your gigs? (from Ian Williams)

I just think it's good to go out into the crowd and see what the atmosphere is like before you go on. Also the crowd don't expect you to do it, and it makes me feel more at ease.

30) Are Birmingham gigs still special to the band? (from Ian Williams)

Yeah of course, and they are also the hardest to play as you're on home turf and everyone is expecting you to do well; they're like the jewel in the crown.

31) If OCS ever make it huge, will you use your millions to buy the Villa? (from Ian Williams)

Only if Doug Ellis stepped down!

32) How's your son Leon's band doing? (from Grant McFarlane)

He was in The Mode but they split up, he isn't doing anything else at the moment but I think he will in the future.

33) What did you want to be when you grew up? (from Darren Chapman)

I always wanted to be a rock star; when I was growing up I was only allowed to listen to what my mom wanted to listen to. The only time I saw Top Of The Pops was when she went to work, and as soon as I saw the bands on there that was it!

34) Are you planning to tour the USA? (from Peter Anderson)

I'm sure we will, we've also had plans to go to Australia as well.

35) What is your favourite album of all time and favourite song of all time (from Adrian 'God' Dalziel)

Favourite album would have to be 'Hail H.I.M' by Burning Spear, favourite song, 'Withered And Died' by Richard Thompson.

36) Which has been your favourite promotional video to make and why? (from Duncan Holness)

There's 2 - '100 Mile High' because we all had our own podiums, and the video for 'Train' because we went to Port Lligat and it was amazing there.

37) Where do you see OCS 10 years from now? (from Peter George)

Using bus passes!

38) What made you want to play and perform music originally? (from John Ashton)

Seeing all the bands play on Top Of The Pops, like 10CC.

39) Of all the musicians OCS have worked with over the years, who have you enjoyed working with the most? (from Helena Payne)

Two people - the late great Jimmy Miller, and Paul Weller.

40) Do you ever get nervous, even after this long on stage? (from Stacylea Morris)

Yes at every gig. My philosophy is, if you don't get nervous on stage you won't have a good gig.




Reproduced with permission from Chris Cradock                                      © www.oceancolourscene.com

Fans of the band were recently asked to send in questions for Oscar Harrison,  being the quietest band member who seldom gives interviews, he was asked the best 40 questions from the many that were sent in by the fans.

Simon Fowler is due to appear in ‘The Sun’ next week in a similar Question & Answer Session, see the news page for more details.

Read Oscar’s answers in Red below.      (Content reproduced with Permission of Chris Cradock)

 

Oscars Q & A Session