Simon Cousins

Simon Cousins
Simon Cousins, 1989, at the Golden Korone, Darmstadt, Germany, on tour with the Onset.
Background information
Birth name	Simon Frederick Cousins
Born	(1965-01-17)17 January 1965 Bath, Somerset, England
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano, bass guitar
Years active	1979–present
Labels	Probe Plus, Generator, Ophiuchvs Records
Associated acts	Random Gender, Ophiuchus, The Onset
Website	Simon Cousins Website

Simon Cousins (born Simon Frederick Cousins, 17 January 1965, Bath, Somerset) is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who was a member of Liverpool indie country rock band The Onset and folk rockers Ophiuchus. He studied music at the Liverpool Music College and has a degree in philosophy from Liverpool University. 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." 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, Pilton, UK in 2010, 2011 and 2016.

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.

Redirect to Ophiuchus main article.

In January 1987, Cousins moved to Liverpool to join Mike Badger, the founder of Liverpool's Britpop band The La's, who was working with guitarist Dan Dean to develop an indie/country/roots sound as The Onset. The band was described by Pete Frame, author of Rock Family Trees, 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 Label, who signed up the band stating they were "Irresistible salad of rootsy pop... Lovely stuff, warm, human, spiritual, compassionate.".