| Octopus | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shotts, Lanarkshire, Scotland |
| Genres | Alternative rock Britpop |
| Years active | 1995–1997 |
| Labels | Food |
| Past members | |
| Marc Shearer Alan McSeveney Cameron Miller Oliver Grassel |
|
Octopus were a Britpop band from Shotts, Lanarkshire, Scotland formed in 1995. They had three hit singles before splitting up in 1997.
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The band was formed by Marc Shearer (vocals, guitar) and Alan McSeveney (guitar) who recruited Cameron Miller (bass guitar) and Oliver Grassel (drums) and relocated to London.[1] After playing several times in London (the first of which included a visit from Damon Albarn)[2] they were spotted by Levitation drummer David Francolini who passed their demo to Food Records boss Andy Ross, who signed the band, releasing their debut single, "Magazine" in March 1996.[1] Live members at this time included harmonica-player Nick Reynolds, son of Great Train Robber Bruce Reynolds and a horn section.[1][3] They toured with Sleeper and second single "Your Smile" gave them their first hit, peaking at number 42 on the UK Singles Chart.[3][4] This was followed by "Saved", which saw them break into the top 40, and their album From A to B was released in September 1996.[1] A fourth single from the album, "Jealousy", reached number 59, and proved to be their final release, the band splitting up in 1997.[1]
Miller later played with Ben Christophers, Blowpipe, and Adem, while Shearer also played with Adem, and recorded solo material, with "Magma on My Mind" included on the 2009 compilation A Psychedelic Guide To Monsterism Island on Lo Recordings, later recording as Marc Meon.