OCEAN COLOUR SCENE: "The Real Reason I Quit" - Bassist Damon Minchella Interview

[@damonminchella3307]

Nice one James. Was a pleasure to chat mate.

[@micklee180]

Nice to hear the real story mate... rather than it was all your fault being a troublemaker etc... knew that wasn't the case as you were with Weller for years afterwards.

[@damonminchella3307]

@@micklee180 Thanks Michael

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

My pleasure man, great to talk 👍👍👍

[@leeforsythgriffiths]

Damon it’s refreshing to see your honestly brother ….good interview

[@leeforsythgriffiths]

I think you know a good friend of mine who plays guitar with Ashcroft called Adam Phillips, i play with Tom Robinson as does Adam…. So refreshing see a genuine honesty …nice one brother

[@simonstamenkovic7982]

I love the fact he refers to them as.... the drummer and the singer. After 15 years. Says a lot.

[@cesarpelegrin1527]

Wow, as an all time OCS fan this interview was a revelation, he did not hold anything back. He felt really at ease. Job well done James👌

[@robertcooper5604]

me too

[@motionpicture9682]

Always wondered why Damon left OCS, they were never the same without him. Top interview and insights 👍🏼

[@TornelliGuitars]

I was lucky enough to meet Damon and spend some time with him last year. He’s a hero and mine and as a huge fan I was pretty awkward but he was such a nice guy. He has all the rock star accolades and none of the ego, I’m so glad to have met him because his music was the soundtrack to my youth. Legend 👍

[@newforestpixie5297]

Good for him for finding the time to speak to someone whom is undoubtedly a true fan of this periods’ music along with his viewers. How many others from these era bands are prepared or bothered to interact on such a personal level ? 🏴❤️

[@Tomtoms-tomtoms]

Brilliant interview and I never realised how cool Damon was as a bloke.. obviously cool as a bass player, but, actually amazing to hear how down to Earth he is.

[@unclemonty9506]

Simon Fowler was my best friend at Ulverley Junior School. He showed me how to play guitar and I taught him chess. He was also a keen bird watcher and we both liked drawing. Not a lot of people know that 😉

[@neilaspin008]

It is the most shattering experience of a Simon Fowler's life when one morning he awakes and quite reasonably says to himself, "I will never play the Dane.".

[@lewisclark1122]

Well as we all know, Simon is more excited by the sight of a woodcock than a great tit.

[@damotheman4196]

Is that a fast show reference? 😂

[@globalparadise6979]

Its a line from the film Withnail and i

[@damotheman4196]

@@globalparadise6979 Ah. Brilliant. "not a lot of people know that" and the wink, the Fast Show definitely used that in the 90s I wonder is that where it started. Thanks man.

[@simonpenum]

It’s weird, I googled Damon a few months ago just out of curiosity. I always wondered what he went on to- these stories are amazing! I love how he didn’t hold back neither. He was one of the coolest figures of the Brit pop era Thanks 🙏 Really hope we hear more from him

[@paulh6213]

Wow! I'm a massive OCS fan from almost 25 years. Been wondering for a long time why Damon left. I was also at the Glasgow SECC 1999 show. Travelled up from Preston. Amazing gig. Bloody hell.

[@markduffy3787]

What an absolute gem of a guy! I’ve always said OCS were never the same since the day Damon left, he was a proper star on the bass. And the best dressed in the band! 😁great interview James.

[@TheHostels]

got a lot of respect for damon, gave us some great feedback and constructive criticism at a really pivotal point in the band really great guy ❤️🙌

[@GidRover]

Brilliant interview James, really enjoyed that. I reckon his autobiography would be really interesting if he wrote one.

[@dazmoshmazmo8204]

Absolutely love Damon’s playing - gutted when he left OCS but after hearing the reason why u can’t blame the dude

[@robwood8331]

It's only a punch not the end of the world . Some people hold grudges though don't they

[@matthewcox1585]

@@robwood8331 only a punch? Haha nob ed

[@TheMusicalElitist]

@@robwood8331 Oh do shut up.

[@Gavaldo]

@@robwood8331only a punch!!! Are you actually kidding right. He knocked his band mates Teeth out & an dam sure I’d not be back touring & spending your life with a guy who you can’t trust anymore or is violent when you spend so much time with each other you have to trust each other at least. Don’t have to be best friends but you have to enjoy it & feel safe. I’d have done the same. Remember he’s already been there for 15 years by that point. ✌️👍✌️

[@robwood8331]

@@Gavaldo shut up you tart

[@johnkelly1566]

Really enjoyed that interview 👍 Damon seems like such a top geezer ! Thanks so much x

[@duckandginger5236]

well done James your a real treasure hunter and consistently bring us the gems and gold of the music scene.

[@TheInternetIsDeadToMe]

Great interview. Glad to hear he’s well, happy and looks back on everything that happened with a smile.

[@jimmima121]

I'm with Damon's manager. Marchin' Already > Moseley Shoals. For me, an all round album of stronger songs and a more 'rounded' sound. As a lifelong massive OCS fan, this was a great interview James. Glad to see Damon's keeping well ✊

[@xfoolsgoldx]

Some of my favourite songs of the nineties came from this band. The Day we Caught the Train bring back one of the best time of my life and it makes me emotional hearing it till this day ❤️ peace.

[@ChorltonandtheWheelies]

That was FASCINATING really truly I was gripped by that interview. What a DUDE!!! I interviewed Simon Fowler backstage at The Ritz. He seemed like a nice bloke. I saw Oasis 8 times and those gigs were all in the early years bar 1 (which was in 2005) so I saw OCS supporting Oasis a few times and once in their own right (where I got the IV) but to my everlasting regret I didn't stay for the gig after the interview that he'd graciously invited me to. I had my reasons but I really regret that now. They were an amazing band - really good live. As for you James - you knew when to let him talk, your questions were ok (and they sparked some incredible anecdotes so job done!) and lastly *you knew what you were talking about*. Excellent stuff - you are going from strength to strength James - well done 👏✌

[@dang2443]

What does it mean when a British person says "what a dude"? "cool guy"?

[@robwood8331]

@@dang2443 yes

[@aliwalkeraudio]

Bass players are always the coolest people in a band, Damon is no exception. Great to hear from him!

[@ddoherty5956]

Drummers always the one with a screw loose 🤣

[@hopforward1759]

Loved this video James. I ran the (what become official) Ocean Colour Scene fanzine - Ocean Colour Zine - between 1998 and 2001 and had the privilege of interviewing the bands 3 times. I always liked Damon the best - he was an absolutely smashing bloke, very friendly and welcoming to me and my mate Ryan, who I ran the fanzine with.

[@shaunw9270]

This was a really great interview thank you James and Damon ! OCS's first two LP's are still favourites of mine and as a big Weller fan was stoked when Damon and Steve Cradock were in his band . Also OCS were the best dressed band of the era without a doubt! 👍

[@robwood8331]

Yeah they dressed more stylishly mod than other bands. Such a shame the original band don't properly speak now 😕 😔 I know many any people would live to see them play some live gigs

[@robwood8331]

OCS were huge in the nineties though weren't they.

[@shaunw9270]

@@robwood8331 A one band Mod Revival! I would love to see the original band regroup, definitely 👌

[@robwood8331]

@@shaunw9270 oh yeah they were a brilliant band. They could sure play and were very stylish. Simon Fowler had a great voice too. 👌

[@shaunw9270]

@@DaveTaste The first one is one of my favourite albums of the era. What you smoking? Lol

[@swallergr1msby]

Isn’t it great just to hear a propper honest interview 👍🏽

[@edwardmulholland7912]

Great interview! My friends and I saw OCS in Ayr in Scotland in a tiny venue just before the 2nd album came out and we all knew they were going to be huge. A great gig. Thank you for this.

[@RubenSoler]

Since he left the band I was wondering why. Now I know because of you. Thank you so much for interviewing a great musician and a member of one of my favorite bands. Regards from Spain.

[@colourlessbluethings]

Good interview and Damon seems like a nice bloke. Odd hearing him refer to Simon and Oscar as "the singer" and "the drummer" though. I wonder if he dislikes even saying their names. I had largely moved past them by 2003 but I saw OCS live 3 times in 1bout 13 months in the late 90's and still really like the second 2 albums and B Sides, Seasides...

[@tcaudiobooks737]

Damon was there in the hit years, sure he's got no regrets about not being there for the shit years.

[@tcarter1927]

Brilliant interview. Gutted to hear how Damon left the band, shocking treatment. Fast becoming my favourite channel @james, keep it up mate!

[@Kidderman3]

How to explain a number of mysteries in one go: As a long-time fan of Damon's playing, I always wondered about the how and why. Now I get it. A very down to earth guy who's been round the block a few times but hasn't let it get to him. Great interview, James.

[@nabooster]

What a lovely bloke. Nice one Damon & James. Wonderful to hear one of my fave bands getting a shout out too - Shack. If you don't know them, listen to them. If you do know them, listen to them. My Cup Of Tea.

[@kapturelab]

Ocean Colour Scene is a great name. It's very visual and impressive to me.

[@graemeadamson7272]

Isn't it refreshing when people are just honest and there's no bullshit to sift through . Totally great bloke and not at all big-headed. Love it 👊

[@davebaker4911]

Liam Gallagher, Damon Minchella and John Squire... Can't wait

[@robjamessolo]

I remember Damon circa late 80’s walking down Buryfield Road in Solihull with his guitar case. We sort of knew each other as I was in a band at the time and we played the same venues - this was the time of the Fanatics - he won’t remember me but our band was called The Spellbinders - what a great interview - if you get chance to speak to him again ask him if recalls our band - our bass player Craig had a brother called Pete Shaw - he and a kid called SPOT did a video of Fanatics at the Irish Centre Birmingham

[@stevesj80]

Great chat. We’ll done getting Damon on and Damon thank you for chatting and giving us an insight.

[@alanhowson2270]

Fantastic interview. Lovely to hear that Damon and Steve are still pals. I'd love to hear updates on what projects Damon is now working on.

[@jacklawrence2212]

Cracking interview, James. And Damon seems like a top bloke. Great stuff.

[@mbgames73]

Weller should never have got rid of Steve White & Damon Minchella .. both formidable and essential players. Brought so much to the table. Interesting interview. Cheers sir

[@robwood8331]

Warchild Smokin Mojo Filters was a great get together. I remember them all jamming and playing come together. The 90s what an amazing time for guitar based music. I hope the kids bring guitar music back fully again. We were blessed in the 90s to have such amazing bands

[@The_Walrus_Was_Paul_1984]

Great interview and a bit of a shame as to why he left OCS, good to finally know. Fantastic bass player.

[@jonnyboy5000]

That was really well conducted ... You let him speak without interrupting, and got some great stories from him ☺☺

[@WalterSobchak1000]

Great to hear from Damon, loved his bass playing with OCS & Weller. Thanks gents for the great interview

[@damienburns1160]

He did another interview where he mentioned OCS plateauing to soon and his dislike of the folky stuff. Would be interesting to know where he wanted to take OCS after that mid/late 90s stuff

[@c0ldcity]

"The singer" and "the drummer" compared with "Steve" :D Great interview mate

[@leeoasis1982]

Great stuff James really enjoyed it, Damon was so honest and interesting

[@davecook9770]

Ocs on the radio in 90s working in a water bottling factory on a production line got me through and still love them thanks James lucky for me things have changed iv even scratched 40 past midnight on my old Korean strat that hangs in my shed cheers mate

[@Mish1206]

Really enjoyed this interview. OCS were the soundtrack to my youth ....can't count how many times I've seen them live. Always felt Damon got a raw deal. They were never quite the same after he left...seems like a really nice guy.

[@Themanchesteranthems]

Met Damon when he was on stage with the realies in 97 singing I’ve got a feeling. Top bloke and nice he mentioned the realies.

[@petergallagher7573]

A superb interview.Such a shame to leave a sublime band like that under those circumstanes as violence is never the answer in my opinion.Anyway given half the chance i would go back to those times in the 90's in a heartbeat. Thank you Ocean Colour Scene.

[@dalehanson7398]

I met Damon twice back in Scenes heyday, first time in a club called Snobs in Brum which was the place to be if you liked decent music, but that was in the toilets so not the best place to conduct a conversation. The second time was a bit later and he was dj-ing at the Sanctuary, again in Brum and that time I spoke to him at the bar, he kindly bought me a pint and was a real gent.

[@bootitup6927]

Briliant interview, Minchella seems like a lovely person.

[@theForgottenMelodiesRecords]

Wow. I was a huge fan of OCS back in the 90's, even though I was living in Arkansas at the time. I was the assistant manager of a CD shop, and I was very into the English music scene. I just recently started looking back at all the albums of that era that I loved so much, and recently did a deep dive on OCS again. It's still so shocking how intense and alive that first record sounds, even today. To hear this interview was really interesting, and I had wondered what happened to Damon. Fucking music business, man. The assault is one thing, the lawsuit is a whole other. Tragic.

[@JimmyWin501]

Great questions James - brilliant interview...

[@balke7935]

Damon brought the vibes on that first album. Beautiful understated playing that set the rest of it up - exactly what a great bassist should do. Acted like a gent too, I couldn’t have kept my cool like that.

[@Mysterywhiteboy78]

It's not the first album. There is an album before ( Moseley Shoals )

[@balke7935]

@@Mysterywhiteboy78 ah yeah I forgot about that one. Mosey Shoals was the first album really though.

[@Mysterywhiteboy78]

@@balke7935 Um officially it was the second. But i get what you mean....

[@TheMusicalElitist]

@@balke7935 No, it really wasn't. It was the 1990 self titled.

[@balke7935]

@@TheMusicalElitist to me and most others Moseley was the first album. Spare me the drawn out and tiring internet argument, if you don't understand what I'm saying, that's fine.

[@stuarthannay3370]

Really weird, I was talking to my bandmate about why Damon left OCS last night and then this pops up in my feed. He seems such a decent guy. Many thanks.

[@MarkHaldor_offl]

What an utterly nice guy! Thoroughly enjoyed that!

[@garytidbury9576]

Great interview my favourite bassist great musician

[@jamiegreen6177]

Loved that, listened to a few of Damon's interviews on youtube and this was definitely up there, always a good listen, brilliant 👍

[@uptightkid]

That was so cool. Great stories and Damon is a very sound lad. Takes me back to the 90's.

[@richardtaylor-draper8377]

This was excellent. Really good interview. More please 🙏

[@torinoscaletunes]

Fantastic bassist. Always remember him sitting on the riser at Knebworth, having a pint of stella during the intro of Get Away. It was a long intro.

[@52BLUE]

Loved this interview and I’ve never listened to this band. Jumping in now. Great interview.

[@alanrobinson1208]

Great interview once met Damon after a fanatics gig in the hare and hounds kings heath brum proper nice bloke !!

[@craigsmith9843]

that was pure gold.what an insight into the back stage goings on of the britpop world.glad hes done well he seems a nice and talented chap.enjoyed that,,please do more.

[@cs0rpc]

Some interesting insights into the personalities... would be amazing to have an interview with Alan White about what really happened to him.

[@Beechgoose1]

Lookin' good! We all loved ya's! Travellers Tune prob my favourite.

[@TheLastRealist]

@damonminchella3307 Thanks to you and James H for such an interesting, fascinating insight into the world of 90's music. I also want to thank you for the touching eulogy you gave for our mutual friend Mark D (your friend long before he became mine) at Southwark Cathedral. Filled me with a completely new respect for you and (for some reason) your contribution to OCS. I suppose it gave a slightly more personal insight into a bloke that you'd only seen on telly and at Knebworth from a long way away. By the way - for me OCS blew Oasis off the stage that night.... Best of luck for the future.

[@NachoDimari]

Great interview! Congrats. @DamonMichella one of the best bassist ever 🙌🏻

[@silverlining7298]

Would be sad but interesting to see a doc on Ritchie from manics, ie his dissaperance etc. Xx

[@michaeldallaway1988]

Trash theory did a good one

[@silverlining7298]

@@michaeldallaway1988 thanks I'll give it a watch

[@mrshifter5007]

This is the reason I watch this channel, great stuff James 😉👍

[@dansealey3138]

Very interesting ! I’l share my experiences with ocs one day

[@noodles9]

Great interview, always wondered what happened to Damon. UTFT!

[@angelomicciche3044]

Saw OCS in Truro. Great night, and you could see the band being in part both taken aback and gratified by the crowd participation for the chorus of The Day We Caught The Train. Even as a non smoker, I found Damon keeping his lit cigarette jammed on the tuning end of his base rather jazzy and cool. That dates the performance! Mosely Shoals is a great album.

[@campbellgraham1979]

I think North Atlantic Drift was OCS’s last good album and also the last one Damon played on. Notable by absence?

[@TheStrongBoyz19]

I am gonna dive into these guys as I didn't know they're a band in the music scene in the West Midlands, yet I love various bands in the Birmingham scene lol. This interview is interesting stuff and it's great to see the variety and interviewing different people on your channel.

[@davidtoddstar8116]

Listen to Mosley Shoals, marching already ,one From the modern, and sea sides b sides and free rides albums, great stuff

[@Pazuzu82]

Yesterday Today is probably my favourite OCS song, loved Hundred High City and Riverboat Song aswel, OCS has some brilliant tunes.

[@BarnsleyMatchdayDrinkers]

Can you interview the original CAST bassist

[@mattwilliams5386]

Great interview James..👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@julesb7783]

Great interview. I've always wondered what happened to Damon. Nice to hear from you again! 👍🏻

[@Luke-ph9xf]

Another fantastic interview and info James!

[@russellnewton6660]

Loved it , bizarrely driving through edinburgh to work this morning, saw that OCS was playing at the usher hall. Anyway, sounds like Damon’s had some great musical experiences, thanks for sharing.

[@johngoulbourne3115]

Damon, you are one of the reasons I took up bass and even now as a 50 year old bloke I'm still shuffling around the back of the stage playing Riverboat Song which is still a joy to play!..what a fucking baseline! I very much doubt it...but if you ever need a tribute band supporting you then give us a shout... The TFI Friday Tribute Band covering of the fab acts who played the legendary show! .(shameless plug there!).

[@Slothdeman]

Glad to see him working at my University! Definitely need to have a good chat with him at some point!

[@dubtownman9508]

Holy shit..probably the best thing I've seen on KZbin in fuckin years..

[@ianedmonds9191]

My favourite Ocean Colour Scene recording was the one on the charity album. Huckleberry grove?

[@jameatermeany]

Fab Bass player no matter who he was with, always looked like he was having fun and as a drummer, my kind of bass player. Saw OCS live but they started with all acoustic sections I got fed up really quickly.

[@samuraininjarockstar9355]

Superb interview, great guy Damon very cool 👍

[@mathewshaw2772]

Wow..What a great interview..Fantastic bass player and bloke..

[@Mikeyorkmusic]

This is good. Very interesting. I wish you could have asked him about how The Family Silver came about. The album on Spotify has some good songs on it.

[@happymccarthy2754]

Ocean colour scene, Great Band. Saw them twice, once at their iconic Royal Albert Hall gig. Where steve played the organ. And a Margate gig, where they all signed my Albert Hall ticket. Cool music, cool gig. 😀😎😀

[@jontypiper9881]

I remember seeing Damon at a music live event with Chad Smith on drums and funnily enough Al Murray playing a tiny drum kit, what a great bass player!

[@tobyjackman3212]

*Finally* the answers to all of the questions I've been wondering about

[@ogri48]

Blinding interview mate, thank you! And Damon, brilliant groove with your baselines dude. I sympathise with the drummer fallout thing, the best I ever played bass was with a great friend who was on the sticks, bass and drums are so locked in together, you gotta get on or it’s just bloody painful👍

[@bourbon2242]

Moseley Shoals is a fantastic yet underrated Britpop album

[@larrydavid6852]

Underrated?? It was f**king massive.

[@bourbon2242]

@@larrydavid6852 I know but it doesn’t really get as much attention nowadays as the giant records from that era

[@larrydavid6852]

@@bourbon2242 fair comment, mate!. I'm going to listen to it right now!

[@bourbon2242]

@@larrydavid6852 cheers mate

[@BarnsleyMatchdayDrinkers]

Best album of 1996

[@ADJ1.1]

Is that a Yamaha MD8 in the background at 21.37? Lol, I bought one of those in 1999. I really should dig it out and have a listen to the disks, could be a winner on there.

[@minioner5080]

Great interview,really enjoyed it and also a jazz bass fan 🎉🎉🎉

[@markh7784]

Very interesting to hear the story behind why Damon left. I was at the gig just before the Castlebar one, in Dolan's Warehouse in Limerick city. Being really big OCS fans, me and my friend went into the soundcheck before the gig. Dolan's is a small venue and we were literally the only people there sitting at the back watching the band sound-checking and milling around. Picked up on the weird, bad vibes and how the band weren't really talking or interacting much.. Remember Damon sitting on stage on his own playing some Red Hot Chili Peppers slap bass stuff when the rest of the band had finished the sound check and thinking I didn't know he played that type of bass style as well... Then a few days later when we heard Damon quit the band, we were like, oh that explains a lot about the sound check.. Was always glad I got to see the original line ups practically last gig, had seen them many times over the years. Great band in their day, Damon made the right move jumping ship.. the folky direction they were going in wasn't great, OCS could have benefited from a more funky direction like what Damon did with Trio Valore... Either ways 1995-1998 era OSC will always be Classic!!! Thanks for the music lads!

[@tallowmangaa7884]

Fairly sure I was at that Dolans gig

[@Ads-uv5ds]

Damon is a very genuine guy. It would be bliss tae have him in a band.

[@martinohare9179]

was at the glasgow gig he speaks of ❤️

[@mikekelly1469]

Brilliant thanks for doing this !