Simon Fowler

For other people with the same name, see Simon Fowler (disambiguation).

Simon Fowler
Simon Fowler in 2025
Background information
Also known as	Foxy [1] [2]
Born	Simon Geoffrey Fowler (1965-05-25) 25 May 1965 (age 60) Meriden, Warwickshire, England
Genres	Rock, mod revival, folk
Occupation	Musician
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar, harmonica
Labels	Moseley Shoals Records

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). ^[3] Future Ocean Colour Scene drummer and former Echo Base band member Oscar Harrison replaced Bullock on drums. ^[3]

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". ^[4] 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.

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. ^[5]

Fowler is a supporter of Birmingham City Football Club. ^[6]

References

1. "Stay on the scene – Independent, The (London) – Find Articles at BNET". Findarticles.com. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
2. ":: oceancolourtheme :: simon fowler profile :: ocean colour scene ::". Blue-whaleproductions.com. 25 May 1965. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
3. "The Fanatics - Live at the Irish Center, Birmingham, 1988". Ugly.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 November 2003. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
4. "The Men from Ugly Ś MP3 Download Area". Ugly.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 February 2001. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
5. "Ocean Colour Scene's Simon Fowler opens up about being outed as gay by tabloids in the '90s".
6. "Ocean Colour Scene star Fowler admits being Birmingham mad". 23 October 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010.