Ocean Colour Scene

STEVE Cradock is an uncompromising figure.

He hates Franz Ferdinand, is sick of journalists labelling his band retro, and reckons Oasis have still got the goods to make a decent album.

Surprisingly then he's not the bitter character some might take him to be. Just a little narked about the downsides of being a rock 'n' roll star.

"We've always had stick from journalists," he blasts in a distinguishable Midlands twang.

"They can be incredibly predictable. Just get over your hangovers guys.

"It's all hypercritical when you think about," he adds. "I mean if a band's playing post-77 stuff then it's cool, but if it's pre-77 then it's retro. That's just rubbish and a big mistake by journalists," he warns.

Still, Franz Ferdinand aren't that bad, are they?

"I can't stand them. I think they're dismal. It's the most derivative junk I've ever heard."

Point taken.

Steve brightens up a bit when we start chatting about his good mate Paul Weller. The Modfather was one of Steve's biggest inspirations growing up and since becoming friends in the early 90s they have become something of a fixture, playing on each other's albums and touring together too.

"I've been playing with Paul for years now and it's always a good laugh," he smiles.

"It was terrifying at first, but it's just got better and better over the years. I didn't rate myself at first, but I think I'm good now. Paul's just really passionate about music and a really cool nice guy."

Ocean Colour Scene landed their first record deal six years before releasing their 1996 seminal classic Moseley Shoals. It took the band that long to find any commercial credibility after a string of chart flops and being dropped by their label.

The story of how his dad remortgaged the family home to pay for the recording of Moseley Shoals never tires. Steve admits he can still visualise the pressure the band was under.

"There was pressure on us at the time to make something that was commercially successful, but we had tough shells. I think it's a great album and it did mark a feat for us selling one-and-a-half million copies.

"I think my favourite song on the album is 40 Past Midnight. It was just a great time, but I haven't listened to the album for years."

The band became good mates with Oasis at the time - a band Paul reckons could surprise quite a few critics with their new album.

"I think Oasis are still good as a band. Liam has some great songs in him. It's not all calculated around Noel anymore, which is a good thing. That man's still got soul."

Ocean Colour Scene. Southampton Guildhall, April 17, 7.30pm. Tickets £20. Box office: 023 8063 2601. Another treat for fans on Sunday is a personal invitation from the group to witness the 'sound checks' at the venue, a few hours before the gig.

Turn up at 4pm and you will be ushered in through the stage door to get a sneak preview of the upcoming performance.