Simon Fowler commenced his music career as the lead singer and songwriter for Birmingham band The Fanatics, which consisted of Simon Fowler (vocals & guitar), Damon Minchella (bass), Paul Wilkes (guitar) and Carolyn Bullock (drums).[3] Future Ocean Colour Scene drummer and former Echo Base band member Oscar Harrison replaced Bullock on drums.[3]
The Fanatics released one record in 1989 before splitting, the four-track Suburban Love Songs 12" vinyl EP on Chapter 22 Records (12 CHAP 38), containing the songs "1,2,3,4", "My Brother Sarah" (later re-recorded by Ocean Colour Scene), "Suburban Love Songs", and "Tight Rope".[4] Following the demise of The Fanatics in late 1989, Fowler, Minchella and Harrison teamed up with guitar player Steve Cradock to form Ocean Colour Scene.