Simon Fowler

Template:Other people Template:BLP sources Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox musical artist Simon Geoffrey Fowler (born 25 May 1965) is an English musician, best known as the frontman of Ocean Colour Scene.

The Fanatics

Simon Fowler commenced his music career as the lead singer and songwriter for Birmingham band The Fanatics, which consisted of Simon Fowler (vocals & guitar), Damon Minchella (bass), Paul Wilkes (guitar) and Carolyn Bullock (drums).<ref name="ugly.co.uk">Template:Cite web</ref> Future Ocean Colour Scene drummer and former Echo Base band member Oscar Harrison replaced Bullock on drums.<ref name="ugly.co.uk"/>

The Fanatics released one record in 1989 before splitting, the four-track Suburban Love Songs 12" vinyl EP on Chapter 22 Records (12 CHAP 38), containing the songs "1,2,3,4", "My Brother Sarah" (later re-recorded by Ocean Colour Scene), "Suburban Love Songs", and "Tight Rope".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following the demise of The Fanatics in late 1989, Fowler, Minchella and Harrison teamed up with guitar player Steve Cradock to form Ocean Colour Scene.

Other works

Fowler has also appeared as a backing singer for Paul Weller, Alison Moyet, Fine Young Cannibals, and with Kate Rusby.Template:Citation needed

Merrymouth

In 2012 Fowler formed the band Merrymouth with Ocean Colour Scene band member Dan Sealey, and Mike McNamara. Their debut album, Simon Fowler's Merrymouth, was released in March 2012, and their second album, Wenlock Hill, featuring Adam Barry, John McCusker and Chas Hodges, was released in 2014.

Personal life

Fowler was outed as gay by The Sun newspaper in 1998, at which point his parents were still unaware of his sexuality.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Fowler is a supporter of Birmingham City Football Club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>