He is among the stellar UK bassists whose work helped establish London’s groovin’ acid-jazz movement of the ‘90s, incorporating old-school soul, funk, and disco into passages that (literally) moved a generation!
A writer, composer, solo recording artist, session player, and arranger, among other titles: Richard Searle anchored London glam revivalists Doc & The Medics, and later, acid-jazz masters Corduroy. A cat after my own heart who draws from late 60s rhythm & blues – Searle sears through the changes akin to James Jamerson and Jerry Jemmott with elastic passages that traverse the bar line.
Among Richard’s high-profile studio credits include Chris Difford (Squeeze), The Free Stylers, and Soul Hooligan. As a producer he’s guided such indie artists as Smashing Time, Lord Large, and Standing Eight Counts, among others.
In 2018 Corduroy re-united to wax Return of the Fabric Four including their humorous video “Saturday Club” https://youtu.be/0LcglN-YWhk They continue to perform live into the 2020s…..
Among Richard’s weapons of choice include Danelectro, Fender Jazz, and Rickenbacker basses.
Richard Searle Sound & Vision…
Richard with Lord Large on Paul Weller’s “Left and Right Centre” https://youtu.be/26_hxMw3qaU
Richard with Doc & The Medics on their smash hit rendition of Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit In the Sky” https://youtu.be/VrUoDdS8lBc
Corduroy “Saturday Club” https://youtu.be/0LcglN-YWhk
Richard as heard on Corduroy’s masterpiece Dad Man Cat waxed in 1992.
“Chowdown” https://youtu.be/_k8KAZKMMVU
“Long Cool & Bubbly” https://youtu.be/QHaLWjKT4Zc
“Frug in G Major” https://youtu.be/QQxG-TAyRgs
“Ponytail” https://youtu.be/YV2I5kusXj4
Behold Brit Pop Royalty!
A founding member of Ocean Colour Scene, Damon Minchella is a purveyor of hazy, hypnotic grooves which he plies on his battered Fender Jazz with a reverence for psychedelia, baroque pop, and classic rock.
In addition to his work with OCS (five Top 5 UK slabs, fifteen Top 20 UK singles the last time I counted…) Damon also anchored Paul Weller’s band for a dozen years, and appeared with The Who at Live 8.
Following a serious hand injury, which he as fully recovered from, Michella now turns to academia, teaching a pop music course at The University of South Wales.
Damon Minchella Sound & Vision…
Ocean Colour Scene:
“The Day We Ride the Train” https://youtu.be/1rr4tXN2eJM
“The Riverboat Song” https://youtu.be/brzzM31G4x8
“You’ve Got It Bad” https://youtu.be/GSCRUwJk1_Q
Paul Weller:
“He’s The Keeper” https://youtu.be/dUx-E8w3ctU
“Horseshoe Drama” https://youtu.be/byB1-AWxZlU
The ‘Oo at Live 8
“Won’t Get Fooled Again” https://youtu.be/t1fJVdpIyRM