Otis

Name: John O'Sullivan
Embrace Messageboard Name:

Date of Birth: 08 October 1963 (Aged 45 years)
Location: Nottinghamshire
Occupation: Too square to say ...

otis151@mac.com

About Me

What is your favourite Embrace song?

Fireworks.

What was your favourite Embrace gig?

Nottingham Rock City 2001, the same venue October 2004 and MEN December last year. All three were amazing. And Danny's voice really moves me. Enough said.

What is your favourite Embrace Album?

Despite all that's come since, it's The Good Will Out. A collections of songs, moods and dynamics that have never been bettered by any other band since.

What is your favourite Embrace B-Side?

Waterfall.

In what order of greatness (1-10) would you place tracks from Out of Nothing?

I can't. Today my favourite is Near Life.

In what order of greatness (1-10) would you place tracks from This New Day?

It's taken an awful lot of listenings, although I guess that's the definition of a grower, but I'm just beginning to feel this album. Initially I thought there were too many Sons-of-Ashes, but this really is an awesome album, and shows that Embrace are now a true band, in the sense that the majority of the songwriting is a joint effort. It lacks the dynamics and range of TGWO (which is still the benchmark for me), and when played on random sounds better for some strange reason (the running order has probably been the biggest problem for me), but the stand out tracks (Celebrate, This New Day, Exploding Machines) are up there with the very best from previous albums.

What and when was your first messageboard post?

April 2006 singing the praises of Nick Drake. But I can, I'm old enough to have heard the songs on vinyl.

Who was the first messageboarder you met?

I haven't.

What is the most stupid thing you've done at a gig?

Not drink water and jump about to Scooby Snacks by FLC. I was pronounced DOA at QMC.

What other music do you like?

In no order ... Flaming Lips, Elbow, Kate Bush, Bob Dylan, Ron Sexsmith, Elvis Costello, Beatles, Finn Brothers, Damien Rice, Rufus Wainwright, Prefab Sprout, Nick Drake, Stone Roses, Ray LaMontagne, Peter Gabriel, Jeff Buckley, XTC ... and many more.

What are your favourite albums?

Again in no order ... Imperial Bedroom, The Soft Bulletin, Highway 61 Revisited, Want One, Smile, Revolver, Trouble, Grace, Transatlantic Ping Pong, Bryter Layter. I could go on, but I won't.

What are you currently listening to?

Trouble by Ray LaMontagne. Another voice that moves me.

What is your favourite Jelly Baby?

A freebie.

Who is your favourite Neighbours character?

Avoid at all costs.

Most likely to say…

Try again TP31, your signals are poor.

Least likely to say…

Yes, I'll work overtime for no pay.

Cricket - good or evil?

Good.

What was the last thing you ate?

A mouldy banana.

Cats or dogs?

I couldn't finish a full one.

Heaven is…

... being in love, happy and unable to stop smiling.

Hell is…

... being dumped for someone 16 years younger! It hurts. But time heals.

Madness Rating (1 to 10)

Erm, 0. Or 1.

An interesting fact about myself…

I had a demo played on John Peel's R1 show last century. Have you ever heard of me? No. And neither have I. I also made it onto the fold-out poster included with the Looking As You Are CD single (my profile pic but in black & white). I smiled for days afterwards.

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