Mod rockers Ocean Colour Scene are mid-way through recording their sixth album in Paul Weller’s private studio, but have taken a break to allow lead guitarist Steve Cradock and bassist Damon Minchella to rejoin Weller’s world wide tour as part of his backing band.

As a result the poetic frontman Simon Fowler and the permanently sunglassed drummer Oscar Harrison have been left high and dry. But not content to sit on their laurels they’ve decided to use their time constructively and are going back on the road for a solo acoustic tour.

“I’ve nothing else to do at the minute,” explains Fowler. “Steve and Damon are off playing the UK and Europe so myself and Oscar are going to do this.”

With Simon on rhythm guitar and Oscar on percussion, the OCS duo will return to the small capacity venues they used to play during their early years. The first of their eight Irish dates will kick off in Dublin’s Spirit venue on the October 16 and finish up in Belfast’s Limelight on October 24. From there it’s off to Scotland and the UK. However, Simon is uncertain that Ireland is the ideal location to begin a tour.

“I don’t know what to expect, I don’t think it will be nerve wracking but if we started off in London it would be. I suppose it’s a bit of a stupid idea to start in Ireland because everything always seems to go downhill after that.”

Those who make it to the ‘uphill gigs’ will be treated to intimate dark roomed performances of a load of new OCS material that may end up on the forthcoming album due next April.