Steve Cradock

All Music Guide:

At the forefront of the mid-'90s mod revival, Ocean Colour Scene guitarist and regular Paul Weller cohort Steve Cradock took center stage for the first time in 20 years after launching a belated solo career. Born in Solihull, West Midlands in 1969, Cradock grew up listening to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and after learning how to play the guitar, formed his first band, the Boys, at age 19. A regular fixture on the Birmingham gig circuit, the band released a three-track vinyl EP, Happy Days, but following their split, Cradock teamed up with Simon Fowler, Damon Minchella, and Oscar Harrison to form Ocean Colour Scene. Their self-titled debut album failed to make any impact, but following a support slot on Paul Weller's 1993 U.K. tour, Cradock was invited to become the Modfather's regular guitarist, a role that allowed him to self-finance his own band's breakthrough second album, the three-million-selling Moseley Shoals. Cradock continued to combine the two gigs, appearing on every Weller studio release, as well as co-writing and performing on each of OCS' seven subsequent albums. In 2008 he embarked on his own solo career with his debut album, The Kundalini Target, written and recorded at Weller's Black Barn Studios in just six days, while his follow-up, Peace City West, appeared in the spring of 2011 via his own Kundalini Music label. Cradock has also appeared on Smokin' Mojo Filters' Top Ten cover version of the Beatles' "Come Together" and Liam Gallagher's Jam tribute album contribution "Carnation," and has produced an unreleased comeback album for P.P. Arnold.

Wikipedia:

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.

He is a distinctive guitarist, who has a retro, 1960s sound. 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, Cradock also plays keyboards, bass guitar and drums.

Personal life

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.

Musical career

The Boys

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.

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.

Ocean Colour Scene

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.

Paul Weller

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 Many Instruments and spent the duration of the making of 22 Dreams in Black Barn Cradock co wrote "Night lights" " One One One " and "Song for Alice" In 1999 on that Album, 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..Weller/Cradock continue this musical partnership 20 years later, joining forses whenever Paul takes to the road. 2012 release of Sonik Kicks, again sees a strong Cradock Collaboration for this number one Album, taking to the stage again in March 2012 with 5 nights at Londons Roundhouse. A co wright by Cradock again on the album called "Drifters" and for the Japanise Album Version a co wright on 'Weary Burden" which a differant version was also released on Steve's own 2011 Peace City West Album.

Side projects

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 ) .

Friendships

Steve Cradock's 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-1990s. 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". Thereafter, Ocean Colour Scene's 2 albums received great acclaim in the Irish and Uk Album Charts, with "Moseley Shoals"(1996) and "Marchin' Already" (1997) both reaching Number 1 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 album's successes - 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 wittily 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. "N.M.E." in 2009 stated that Mani was pleased 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 in Steve, having seen OCS at a gig in 1992 (When he then offered OCS a support slot and Steve the chance to play in Paul's band as a session guitarist) He 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 Weller remain very close friends and associates to the present day, with Steve still playing lead guitar with Paul since 1992.

The Smokin' Mojo Filters

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

PP Arnold

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.

Fire and Skill: The Songs of The Jam

In 1999, Cradock recorded a version of "Carnation" with Liam Gallagher for The Jam tribute album, Fire and Skill. Cradock also played guitar on the albums hidden track, "No One In The World".

Amy MacDonald

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.

Other collaborations and activities

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 on the 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.

Solo career

The Kundalini Target

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.

Peace City West

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 of The Moons 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.