In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Damon Minchella — founder of Ocean Colour Scene, longtime bass player for Paul Weller, and collaborator with Richard Ashcroft — to talk about his candid and often hilarious memoir You’d Look Good on a Donkey. Watch the full XS Noize Podcast conversation below.
Across a musical life that has ricocheted between some of the biggest names in music — from Paul McCartney and Jimmy Page to Diana Ross, Dr. John, and The Who — Minchella has built a career full of extraordinary stories, unlikely encounters, and a deep love of music that runs through everything he does.
During the conversation, Damon reflects on the creation of You’d Look Good on a Donkey — a memoir that captures the highs, chaos, humour, and survival instincts required to navigate life in the music industry.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Damon opens up about his early days with Ocean Colour Scene, the Birmingham music scene that shaped the band, and how their sound developed during the Britpop era.
He also shares memories of working closely with Paul Weller — one of Britain’s most influential songwriters — and what he learned from being inside Weller’s musical world for so many years.
The conversation explores the realities of band life, the strange rhythm of touring and recording, and the delicate balance between personal life and the pressures that come with a career in music.
Along the way, Damon discusses the process of writing the book itself — revisiting decades of experiences that range from hilarious and absurd to deeply personal — and explains why honesty and self-reflection were essential to telling the story properly.
Whether you’re a fan of Ocean Colour Scene, interested in the behind-the-scenes realities of the music industry, or simply enjoy a great rock memoir, this conversation offers an entertaining and revealing look at a life spent in and around music.
Prefer audio? Listen here.
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Buy You’d Look Good on a Donkey by Damon Minchella
Publisher (Backstage Books): https://backstagebooks1.myshopify.com/products/you-d-look-good-on-a-donkey-by-damon-minchella
About The XS Noize Podcast
With more than 270 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music’s legends, innovators, and trailblazers — a place where real conversations meet real stories.
Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has featured an extraordinary lineup including Steve Lillywhite, Paul Draper, Sleaford Mods, The Charlatans, Gary “Mani” Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, and Michael Head — among many more.
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