Grumpy Young Men

It probably seemed like a good idea at the time. In an effort to avoid the standard interview procedure, a few ideas had been mooted as to how time with Ocean Colour Scene could be spent in novel fashion. Which is how hotpress ends up at Shelbourne Park greyhound track on a balmy Saturday night at one of the main events in the dog racing calendar, the Easter Cup. Spirits are high, not least in the box which houses the band and their entourage. OK, to be honest, everyone – band, road crew, whoever – is completely locked and having a fine old time that doesn’t necessarily include getting involved with any press chores. Mind you, you can’t really blame them. While many would love to write them off, Ocean Colour Scene are back on the road playing to packed houses and toting a vibey, upbeat and surprisingly varied album in the shape of A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad.

Nevertheless, it’s not easy. The track side photo shoot raises more than a few eyebrows and when we return to the box, concentration, peace and quiet are at a premium. With drummer Oscar Harrison engrossed in the racing, it’s left to Steve Craddock and Simon Fowler to handle the engagement. By this point, both are all over the shop – Fowler charmingly so but Craddock seems less keen to participate, staring glumly across the table, making sarcastic comments and walking off. The first question regarding their upcoming four night stand in Dublin is referred to a passing crew member before Fowler heads off on a flight of fantasy.
“We’ve already done five nights at the Olympia so the next time we come back we’ll have to be suspended in a box over the Liffey. It has to become more and more ludicrous."
Er, right. What about the album then? Recorded for the most part in a remote Scottish hunting lodge, it has a remarkable feel of free-flowing exploration.
“You’re the first person to say that it has a sense of freedom to it and in a way it has,” says Simon. “It was just the three of us, the producer and the road crew. It was a perfect situation for us."
Hyperactive also boasts a number of guest performers, including Paul Weller and Jools Holland.
“Most of the extra people who play on the record did it in London after we’d finished mixing it. I would rather not have done the extra stuff to be honest. It was a bit a case of the usual suspects."
Does Simon think that people might see those names and dismiss the album out of hand?
“I think we’ve thought too seriously about the press recently and it’s not productive. I don’t mind having a chit chat but it’s nothing about us."
The fact that I didn’t actually mention the press doesn’t stop him.
“It never helped us in the first place. The reviews for Moseley Shoals were mixed but at the end of the day it was at number two for six months so it didn’t matter. We never should have been pop stars, it was a complete fluke. We’d been doing that music for years and suddenly Oasis came along and suddenly we became cool."
Steve, meanwhile, who has wandered in and out of the conversation suddenly bursts into life.
“It’s like trying to work out how God would judge you, how record companies judge you and all that bullshit. It doesn’t matter, all you are is just mockers in a band trying to play music and it doesn’t come any bigger or better or wiser than that. Once you’ve had success you can only go downhill."
His comment kind of sets the tone for the conversation. It may be the alcohol but the duo seem to answer the questions that they think they’re being asked rather than the actual ones. Craddock especially seems prepared for a rough ride that is never really on the agenda. Crap title aside, A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad is a fine record. It’s also one that sees OCS thrust further into the world of digital downloads and mobile ring tones, a plug for which appears incongruously on the back sleeve of the album. This time it's Simon’s turn to lose his cool.
“Do you know what”, he rages, “I hated that so much. I didn’t realise it was on the album until I was looking at it. It’s a disgrace, you can put that in your fucking article. Someone told me the other day that ring tones sell more than singles, well fuck it, I don’t give a fuck about ring tones. I don’t understand it, it doesn’t enter my lexicon of thought."
Over to Steve. “You two are just talking about the fucking industry. We played in Glasgow last night and I saw the true fire of the thing that I love and adore. You just want to talk about the industry or journalism. If you’re in a band you shouldn’t give a fuck whether record companies exist or not."
His passion may be admirable but his assertion that everyone is the enemy is starting to pall. Fortunately, Fowler takes him to task (“well we do because we sign up to them”), they start discussing it amongst themselves and the food arrives, enabling us to bring the whole affair to a close. We came here to praise Ocean Colour Scene, not to bury them, and a couple of uncomfortable hours isn’t going to change that too much. I just wouldn’t want to do it again.

A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad is out now on Sanctuary.