They've just played a sold out gig at the Garage in front of 600 people, and previously sold out places like the Barfly and Water Rats, done an Unplugged session for Kerrang a couple of weeks ago, they have toured the UK and Europe and are soon going on tour in Russia...

With its explosive opening riff, massive chorus and the infectious closing vocal chants, Ocasan’s debut single ‘When You’re Around’ showcases the band at their most powerful.

There's a parable somewhere about how leaving three guitarists in the same room can only end up in endless bickering and seething jealousy. Three egos of that size in one place never works and is likely to descend into misery for everyone involved. It's funny then that Ocasan began with this scenario and have done the impossible by being both creative, ambitious and very much enjoying each other's company.

From the beginning these Northampton-based twenty-somethings - guitarist and lead vocalist Nick Burns, drummer Luke McDonnell and bassist Rich Webb - shoved songcraft in front of instrument pride and played early shows between bouts of instrument swapping.
“After a while it grew tiresome hurdling over drum kits and chicaning around XLR cables mid-set, so we all picked an instrument that we felt well versed in. I love playing guitar and singing but there's nothing quite like kicking the crap out of a kit,” explains Luke.

Meeting in that renowned bohemian hotspot Bath sometime in 2009, the three musicians built solid foundations for their musical ventures through a life-long bond of chemistry and camaraderie spawned from those memorable early skirmishes. Since those virgin forays, Ocasan have managed to demo and record their self-titled debut album, produced by Romesh Dodanga (Funeral For A Friend, Kids in Glass Houses, Manic Street Preachers), sign with a major label distributor and reach number one in the Bulgarian charts with their first single 'When You're Around', released in the UK on April 18th.

A spacious, commercial stomp with an itchy and chiming central riff, Nick's refined vocal stretches from idle croon to an impassioned chant against the pounding backdrop that rocks the Ocasan boat. Yet, this early high point is but one side of the band. Their forthcoming debut album also highlights the crowd pleaser “Josephine” - anthemic, indelibly catchy and barely a distorted guitar in earshot. The lyrics address the unrealistic nature of courting fame, a subject that these ambitious men aren't exactly enamoured with.

Singer Nick says: “I just want to be honest. I feel so disheartened when browsing through a newsagents only to find rows of music magazines that are beginning to look like "teen fashion" I don't care about the new jeans anyone is wearing or who has some new Toni & Guy hair cut. I just want a chance to get on stage and explore the world. I want to re-vive the touring life that many bands who inspired me experienced. I was born to do this!”.

 

June 19, 2011