Simon Cousins (born Simon Frederick Cousins, 17 January 1965,
Bath
Bath may refer to:
* Bathing, immersion in a fluid
** Bathtub, a large open container for water, in which a person may wash their body
** Public bathing, a public place where people bathe
* Thermae, ancient Roman public bathing facilities
Plac ...
, Somerset, England) is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who was a member of Liverpool indie country rock band
The Onset
The Onset were formed in 1987 by Mike Badger after he left his former band The La's. Badger teamed up with locals Danny Dean on guitar, Hamish Cameron on piano and Colin Becket on drums. The first demo "Let's Go Home" can be found on the 20 ...
and folk rockers
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus () is a large constellation straddling the celestial equator. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek (), meaning "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping a snake. The serpent is represented by the constella ...
. He studied music at the
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the 10th largest English district by population and its metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a popul ...
Music College and has a degree in philosophy from
Liverpool University
, mottoeng = These days of peace foster learning
, established = 1881 – University College Liverpool1884 – affiliated to the federal Victoria Universityhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/2004/4 University of Manchester Act 200 ...
. His solo work is in an acoustic, folk / country genre, described by Tim Peacock of Whisperin and Hollerin' online magazine as "showcasing a fluid finger-picking style and a gentle, unobtrusive voice which nonetheless carries a determined presence."
[Peacock, Tim]
''Review: Si Cousins, Love's Counterfeit / Broken Dreams''
Whisperin and Hollerin Online Magazine, April 2010 Seph Ong of Glasswerk National stated that Cousins' songs were "derived from real life experience" and that as a performer he "presents a series of tales that gradually unravel to build a story of the mystery of life." Cousins performed at the
Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival (formally Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts and known colloquially as Glasto) is a five-day festival of contemporary performing arts that takes place in Pilton, Somerset, England. In addition to contemp ...
, Pilton, England, in 2010, 2011 and 2016.
[Henderson, Dave (editor). ''The 2010 Official Glastonbury Programme''. 2010. page 82. ]Q magazine
''Q'' was a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1986 by broadcast journalists Mark Ellen and David Hepworth, who were presenters of the BBC television music series ''The Old Grey Whistle Test''. '' ...
[Henderson, Dave (editor). ''The Glastonbury Programme 2011''. 2011. page 87. ]Q magazine
''Q'' was a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1986 by broadcast journalists Mark Ellen and David Hepworth, who were presenters of the BBC television music series ''The Old Grey Whistle Test''. '' ...
[Kilmurray, Andrew. ''Simon set for Glasto gig''. page 33, St. Helens Star, 16 June 2016.]
Career
Ophiuchus
In 1986, Si Cousins was a founder member of the Progressive Folk Rock outfit Ophiuchus. Simon Jones writing in Folk Roots commented that "Ophiuchus weave their own dreamy, rustic idyll." The Venue Magazine billed them as "The best thing out of Wiltshire that isn't made by Wadsworth." Although he left Ophiuchus in 1987, Cousins has a cameo appearance as a Guest Snare Drum Player on their Debut LP; ''Pronounced Offee-ick 'Cus'', released on Probe Plus Records in 1989.
The Onset
In January 1987, Cousins moved to Liverpool to join Mike Badger, the founder of Liverpool's Britpop band
The La's
The La's were an English rock band from Liverpool, originally active from 1983 until 1992. Fronted by singer, songwriter and guitarist Lee Mavers, the group are best known for their hit single " There She Goes". The band was formed by Mike Badge ...
, who was working with guitarist Dan Dean to develop an indie/country/roots sound as
The Onset
The Onset were formed in 1987 by Mike Badger after he left his former band The La's. Badger teamed up with locals Danny Dean on guitar, Hamish Cameron on piano and Colin Becket on drums. The first demo "Let's Go Home" can be found on the 20 ...
. The band was described by
Pete Frame
Peter Frame (born 10 November 1942 in Luton, Bedfordshire, England) is an English music journalist and historian of rock music.
He has produced outlines of the history of rock bands for various magazines, such as ''Sounds'', ''NME'', '' Melody ...
, author of
Rock Family Trees
Peter Frame (born 10 November 1942 in Luton, Bedfordshire, England) is an English music journalist and historian of rock music.
He has produced outlines of the history of rock bands for various magazines, such as ''Sounds'', '' NME'', ''Melody M ...
, as "The most arresting group in captivity – younger than yesterday, fresher than tomorrow". Mike Badger called their sound as "a sort of Punk Cajun". This appealed to Geoff Davies the legendary Record Producer of Liverpool's
Probe Plus
Probe Plus was a record label based in Liverpool, England. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink".De Burgh, Simon (1991) 'Probe Plus Records', ' ...
Label, who signed up the band stating they were "Irresistible salad of rootsy pop... Lovely stuff, warm, human, spiritual, compassionate.".
Solo performer
Since the Onset folded in 1995, Simon Cousins has continued to write songs, developing as an acoustic guitarist with an intimate vocal style and poignant lyrics. He recorded at Pat D'Arcy's studio during the 90s and with Jon Cousins on the Liberty Blake sessions in 2008. His recordings with The Onset continue to be released through
Probe Plus
Probe Plus was a record label based in Liverpool, England. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink".De Burgh, Simon (1991) 'Probe Plus Records', ' ...
,
The Viper Label and
Mike Badger
Michael Clifford Badger is an English singer-songwriter, artist and sculptor from Liverpool, England. Co-founder of The La's he went on to form alternative country/roots rockabilly band The Onset in 1988 and Mike Badger and The Shady Trio in ...
's Generator Label.
In 2009, Cousins began performing live after a 13-year hiatus. He has played concerts throughout the UK including the famous
Cavern Club
The Cavern Club is a nightclub on Mathew Street, Liverpool, England.
The Cavern Club opened in 1957 as a jazz club, later becoming a centre of the rock and roll scene in Liverpool in the late 50s and early 1960s. The club became closely assoc ...
Liverpool (May 2010) and the Members Room,
St Helens Town Hall (June 2010). Tim Peacock from Whisperin' and Hollerin' Online Magazine reviewing Cousins' music stated "There's a mission to both soothe your soul and quietly sweep you off your feet going ahead here, so you'd be foolish not to succumb."
In April 2010, Si Cousins joined his brother Jon to reform
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus () is a large constellation straddling the celestial equator. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek (), meaning "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping a snake. The serpent is represented by the constella ...
with fellow members, Pat D'Arcy (Saxophone), Glenn Wardle (Hammer Dulcimer), Pete Causer (Melodeon), Richard Hughes (Piano Accordion), Xavier Tutien (Bass), Myke Vince (Drums), Jack "WestWayy" Cousins (Percussion), Mike Slater (Cruel Driver) and Dick (Mumming Memento Mori). The Group had not played together for 23 years. In an interview with journalist Nick Cook, Cousins commented that "planning rehearsals with band members in Chippenham, Swindon, Bristol, Glastonbury, Liverpool and Paris was a logistical nightmare.". The reformed band played on the Bandstand Stage at the
Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts on Sunday, 27 June 2010.
On 1 June 2011, the Liverpool Echo announced that Cousins was to return Glastonbury as a solo artist to play four shows at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival. Cousins' shows were in the Green Futures Field where he played the Tadpole Stage on Wednesday 22 June and the Mandala Stage on Thursday 23rd, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26 June.
Cousins' first solo single, Love's Counterfeit, was released on 11 November 2011. The song received its first radio play on Radio Merseyside's 'Tony Snell in the Morning' show on 20 June 2011. Cousins is reported to have decided to release the song because of its popularity at Glastonbury Festival. Love's Counterfeit was released as a digital download format through iTunes.
In the summer of 2012 Cousins collaborated with his brother Jon to record and produce their Father, Allan Cousins performing his song "A Lonely Dream" at the age of 78. Cousins played piano on the track and his brother played guitar, also featured was Simon Cousins' daughter Olivia, who played bass guitar and harmonium.
[Ashford, Victoria. ''A True Golden Oldie'', Page 10, Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, 30 August 2012] "A Lonely Dream" was released as a download single on 31 August 2012. In an interview with the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald about the release, Cousins stated "To me it is very special to have a record of us all playing together for the future."
Cousins released his first solo LP "Given Songs" on 1 May 2014. It contained 9 self penned songs and was the first album to be issued on his Misericordia Label.
[Wright, Jade. ''Jade Wright recommends ...'', Page 2, The Guide, Liverpool Echo, 4 July 2014] Its sister album "Forgiven Songs" was released on 15 June 2016. Ian D. Hall, in his review for Sound and Vision online magazine, called Forgiven Songs "a natural and beautiful successor to the 2014 Given Songs", stating that Cousins "brings home everything that you could possibly desire from the acoustic world and plants
nabundant musical garden with dedication and security."
Cousins returned to Glastonbury Festival in 2016 to mark the 30th anniversary of the formation of Ophiuchus. He performed with members of
Random Gender and Ophiuchus on the Bandstand Stage on Friday 24 June, and played three gigs in the Green Futures Field on Saturday 25 June. These included a solo performance, and an appearance with
Hawkwind
Hawkwind are an English rock band known as one of the earliest space rock groups. Since their formation in November 1969, Hawkwind have gone through many incarnations and have incorporated many different styles into their music, including hard ...
's
Nik Turner
Nicholas Robert Turner (26 August 1940 – 10 November 2022) was an English musician, best known as a member of space rock pioneers Hawkwind. Turner played saxophone and flute, as well as being a vocalist and composer. While with Hawkwind, T ...
and
Pink Fairies
Pink Fairies are an English rock band initially active in the London (Ladbroke Grove) underground and psychedelic scene of the early 1970s. They promoted free music, drug use, and anarchy, and often performed impromptu gigs and other stunts, s ...
' Jaki Windmill on the Mandala Stage.
Cousins’ third album "The Lark and the Blackbird" was released on 31 August 2018. Described in Folk Roots magazine as "a laid back collection of originals, trad:arr and covers." The album was launched at Chris and Hughie Jones’ Everyman Folk Club in Liverpool on 13 November 2018.
[''Club Diary Dates'', page 18, Folk North West Magazine, Autumn 2018]
Discography
Solo
*''Love's Counterfeit'' – Simon Cousins, Single (2011), Misericordia
*''Given Songs'' – Simon Cousins, CD (2014), Misericordia (SCOU1)
*''Forgiven Songs'' – Simon Cousins, CD (2016), Misericordia (SCOU2)
*''The Lark And The Blackbird'' – Simon Cousins, CD (2018), Misericordia (SCOU3)
The Onset
The Onset were formed in 1987 by Mike Badger after he left his former band The La's. Badger teamed up with locals Danny Dean on guitar, Hamish Cameron on piano and Colin Becket on drums. The first demo "Let's Go Home" can be found on the 20 ...
*''
The Pool of Life'' –
The Onset
The Onset were formed in 1987 by Mike Badger after he left his former band The La's. Badger teamed up with locals Danny Dean on guitar, Hamish Cameron on piano and Colin Becket on drums. The first demo "Let's Go Home" can be found on the 20 ...
, LP (1988),
Probe Plus
Probe Plus was a record label based in Liverpool, England. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink".De Burgh, Simon (1991) 'Probe Plus Records', ' ...
(PROBE19)
*''What Say You'' – The Onset, EP (1990), Furious Fish Records (Onset1)
*''
The Pool of Life Revisited'' – The Onset, CD (1994),
Probe Plus
Probe Plus was a record label based in Liverpool, England. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink".De Burgh, Simon (1991) 'Probe Plus Records', ' ...
(PROBE40)
*''
Liverpool Cult Classics Unearthed - Volume Two'' – Various Artists, CD (2001),
The Viper Label (Viper009)
*''
The Onset
The Onset were formed in 1987 by Mike Badger after he left his former band The La's. Badger teamed up with locals Danny Dean on guitar, Hamish Cameron on piano and Colin Becket on drums. The first demo "Let's Go Home" can be found on the 20 ...
'' – The Onset, CD (2005), The Generator Label (Gen10)
*''Revolutionary Spirit: The Sound Of Liverpool 1976-1988'' – Various Artists, CD (2018),
Cherry Red (CRCDBOX39)
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus () is a large constellation straddling the celestial equator. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek (), meaning "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping a snake. The serpent is represented by the constella ...
*''Pronounced Offee-ick Cuss'' –
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus () is a large constellation straddling the celestial equator. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek (), meaning "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping a snake. The serpent is represented by the constella ...
, LP (1989),
Probe Plus
Probe Plus was a record label based in Liverpool, England. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink".De Burgh, Simon (1991) 'Probe Plus Records', ' ...
(PROBE23)
Mike Badger
Michael Clifford Badger is an English singer-songwriter, artist and sculptor from Liverpool, England. Co-founder of The La's he went on to form alternative country/roots rockabilly band The Onset in 1988 and Mike Badger and The Shady Trio in ...
*''
Lo Fi Acoustic Excursions by Mike Badger & Friends
''Lo Fi Acoustic Excursions'' is the first of two albums released by Mike Badger featuring a compilation of his various musical incarnations including the La's and The Onset, its sister album being ''Lo Fi Electric Excursions by Mike Badger & Fr ...
'' –
Mike Badger
Michael Clifford Badger is an English singer-songwriter, artist and sculptor from Liverpool, England. Co-founder of The La's he went on to form alternative country/roots rockabilly band The Onset in 1988 and Mike Badger and The Shady Trio in ...
CD (2004), The Generator Label (Gen09)
*''
Lo Fi Electric Excursions by Mike Badger & Friends
''Lo Fi Electric Excursions'' is the second of two albums released by Mike Badger with a compilation of his various musical incarnations including the La's and The Onset, its sister album being '' Lo Fi Acoustic Excursions''. ''Lo Fi Electric Exc ...
'' – Mike Badger, CD (2006), The Generator Label (Gen11)
*''
Mike Badger's Country Side
''Mike Badger's Country Side'' is an album which features a compilation of Mike Badger's country style songs from 1988 to 2008, including previously unreleased material from his solo projects and his back catalogue with The Onset. It was released ...
'' – Mike Badger, CD (2008), The Generator Label (Gen12)
*''Badger Tracks'' – Mike Badger, CD (2013), The Generator Label (Gen14)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cousins, Simon
1965 births
Living people
English folk musicians
English male singer-songwriters
English singer-songwriters
English bass guitarists
English male guitarists
British male bass guitarists
People educated at Grittleton House School