| Steve Cradock | |
|---|---|
Steve performing live with OCS |
|
| Background information | |
| Born | 22 August 1969 |
| Genres | Britpop, rock, mod revival |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, Piano, Vocals Bass guitar[1] |
| Labels | Kundalini Music |
| Associated acts | Ocean Colour Scene Paul Weller |
| Notable instruments | |
| Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Gibson ES335 |
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Steve Cradock (born Stephen Cradock, 22 August 1969 in Solihull) is an English guitarist, most notable for playing in the rock group Ocean Colour Scene. Cradock is also the second guitarist in Paul Weller's band, having appeared on all of Weller's solo records following Weller's self titled debut album.[2]
He is a distinctive guitarist, who has a retro, 1960s sound.[3] Cradock's influences include The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Widely regarded (even by Ocean Colour Scene's critics) as one of the most talented British guitarists,[4] Cradock also plays keyboards, bass guitar and drums.
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Cradock was born in Solihull, West Midlands to Chris Cradock, a police officer (who would later become his manager). He was educated at Lode Heath School in Solihull. Cradock is married to Sally Edwards and has a daughter, Sunny Elizabeth, and a son Casius Earl (born 27 July 2004). He admitted on an appearance on Soccer AM that he is an Aston Villa F.C. fan, although did not attend many games.
Cradock formed his first band called The Boys around March 1988 with school friends from Solihull. The band played at various Mod events around the Midlands with a set consisting mainly of cover songs - including The Clash's "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" and The Jam's "Strange Town". Whilst gaining popularity on the Birmingham gig circuit, the band extended links to well-received audiences in London and Bournemouth amongst others. An August Bank Holiday festival in Gorleston coincided with the band releasing their first three-track vinyl EP, Happy Days, on their own label.
In the late 1980s, Cradock met his idol and future mentor, Paul Weller. Cradock would spend time at Weller's recording studio in Marble Arch, London, trying to pass on The Boys' music. While he was always evicted from the premises by technician Kenny Wheeler, Cradock made a lasting impression on Weller. When, in 1991 Cradock returned to the same studio with Ocean Colour Scene, the couple befriended and Ocean Colour Scene were soon invited to tour with Weller.[5]
The band's plans for a six track mini-album soon after never materialised. However, the band contributed "Going Out" to a compilation album by the London based label, Unicorn. This was followed by the peak of the band's career - a support slot for Steve Marriott at the Irish Centre in Digbeth. Despite catching the attention of Polydor and CBS, the band dissolved in the late 1980s and Cradock proceeded to form Ocean Colour Scene with Simon Fowler, Damon Minchella and Oscar Harrison.
Cradock formed Ocean Colour Scene with Fowler, Minchella and Harrison after the dissolution of both The Boys and The Fanatics. Within two years the band had released their debut LP, Ocean Colour Scene, on Fontana Records. Whilst gaining mild popularity, the band felt their potential had not been reached. Following Cradock's first full tour with Paul Weller, he self-funded the production of the band's second LP, Moseley Shoals. Signing to MCA in 1995, Moseley Shoals sold over 3,000,000 world wide. Ocean Colour Scene's then Radio plugger Sally Edwards became Steve's wife in 1996. The couple now have two children, Sunny born 27 March 2003 and Cassius born 27 July 2004.
Cradock joined Weller's band in 1992, having supported him with Ocean Colour Scene. Cradock has appeared on all studio albums by Weller, including playing drums on 22 Dreams. In 1999, Cradock was presented with a Rickenbacker guitar by Weller for his 30th birthday. This guitar can be heard on Ocean Colour Scene's "Free My Name" single from A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad.[6]
Aside from Cradock's career with Ocean Colour Scene and Weller, he has also worked over the years with other artists on several projects such as - PP Arnold, Liam Gallagher ( Oasis ) when they both released The Jam classic "Carnation" - Steve's friendship and Musical Relationship is Strong with both Liam & Noel Gallagher of (Oasis) Liam Garland ( Little Liam ) .
Steve Cradocks closest friends are both Mani (Stone Roses) and Noel Gallagher (Oasis/High flying birds) It is also believed that Steve was Noel's Best man when he married Meg Matthews in the Mid 90's. It was Oasis and Paul Weller (The Jam) who gave Steve's "Mod Revival" band "Ocean Colour Scene" their big break in 1996 when they gave them a support slot in front of an audience of 250,000 when Oasis played "Live at Knebworth" It was then that Ocean Colour Scene's 2 albums thereafter received great acclaim in the Irish and Uk Album Charts with "Moseley Shoals"(1996) and "Marchin' Already" (1997) reaching Number 1 with both albums and knocking Oasis off the top spot at a point. The Gallagher Brothers jokingly sent a trophy to Steve's Ocean Colour Scene camp after both OCS's albums success - The trophy was sarcastically etched with the Following "Congratulations guys on becoming the 2nd Best band ever in the World" Simon Fowler & Steve Cradock from Ocean Colour Scene wittingly recreated the trophy to read "Thanks Oasis, Considering The Beatles are the greatest band ever in the World, We'll gladly play second violin" The Oasis/OCS friendship is Very Strong. Steve is also a good friend of Mani from The Stone Roses. NME in 2009 stated that Mani was pleasured to have been asked by Steve to Record & Tour with Steve Cradock on his Solo Works "Kundalini Target" Mani praised Steve's Solo abilities continuously. Paul Weller discovered something unique about Steve having seen OCS at a gig in 1992 (When he then offered OCS a support slot and Steve the chance to play in Pauls band as a session Guitarist, He then decided to help them as best he could as he saw the huge amounts of potential within the 4 piece and branded them as Quirky, New & A Somewhat Mod Revival... Just what England Needs. Paul joined OCS on Numerous occasions and played with them on "Later with Jools Holland" in 1996 where he played piano to Festival Anthem "The Day we caught the Train" and "You've got it bad" Steve Cradock and Paul Wellar remain very close friends and Associates to the present day with Steve still playing Lead Guitar with Paul since 1992.
In 1995, Cradock played on a version of The Beatles' song "Come Together" for the Warchild release The Help Album. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, the track featured Paul McCartney, Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher, Steve White, Carleen Anderson and Damon Minchella
While working and touring with Ocean Colour Scene in 1997, P. P. Arnold made her first solo album in 25 years. This release was produced by Cradock. Additionally, a single was released - written by Mike Nesmith, "Different Drum". As well as producing the track, Cradock also played the drums. Despite television and radio promotion, the single failed to chart and the proposed solo album did not materialise.
In 1999, Cradock recorded a version of "Carnation" with Liam Gallagher for The Jam tribute album, Fire and Skill.[7] Cradock also played guitar on the albums hidden track, "No One In The World".
Cradock recorded some guitar parts for Macdonald's single "Run". Macdonald reciprocated by supporting Cradock on his European acoustic tour with Weller. Steve and Wife Sally Toured with Amy Mcdonald in Germany as her support Act in 2009.
Cradock contributed guitar to The Players' 2003 album Clear The Decks; a band formed by Minchella, Steve White and Mick Talbot.
In 2006, Cradock contributed rhythm guitar to recording of the song "Left, Right and Centre" by the acid jazz act, Lord Lorge, which featured Dean Parrish on lead vocals.
The following year, Cradock recorded drums and backing vocals for the Andy Lewis and Weller collaboration, "Are You Trying To Be Lonely", which peaked at number 35 in the UK Singles Chart. Cradock also produced a number of songs for the Newcastle-based band, Hungover Stuntmen.[8]
Cradock announced he had begun work on his own solo album in early 2008 via the diary section on the official website of Ocean Colour Scene, the recording of which took place at the Black Barn Studios owned by Weller in Surrey. During a phone interview on BBC Radio Tees in April 2008, Cradock discussed his solo album and disclosed that he plays all the instruments on the album. Occasionally, Cradock performed his own songs during his tour with Weller during their acoustic gigs of 2007 and 2008. The Album features Paul Weller and wife Sally Cradock.
Steve and Sally Cradock have since formed Kundalini Music, from which Steve's second solo Album will be released in 2011. The Kundalini Target is now available on this label. The Kundalini Vynal is signed to Halden Pop in Germany.
The album title was confirmed as The Kundalini Target, and reached 114 in the album charts. 34 in play.com/30 in iTunes chart.[9][10]
Cradock's second solo album Peace City West was released on Kundalini Music on 4 April 2011 and features James Buckley from the cult TV show The Inbetweeners and collaborations with Paul Weller, Sally Cradock, Andy Crofts and PP Arnold.
In 2011, Cradock and his band supported Beady Eye on their UK tour before going on a short tour of his own.[11]
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