Oceansize were one of the most unique sounding bands out there in my opinion, and they clearly drew influences from all over the place.
Radiohead were clearly one, but you could also argue:
- Cardiacs. A band with a cult following, and Mike Vennart's favourite. Mixing prog and punk was arguably something that Oceansize themselves attempted, and the unpredictable and playful way they approached song writing was something Size definitely attempted themselves. Also, they even named a song Part-Cardiac.
- Mogwai for their dynamics and slow building songs. You can definitely hear them on An Old Friend of the Christies. Oceansize are also regularly labelled as post-rock, and their first album has some very drawn out atmospheric stuff.
- Pink Floyd. The spacey guitar work, the textural stuff.
- Jane's Addiction. They had a song called Ocean Size, thus the name
- Tool. The progressive element is very clear in their music, the weird time sigs, the intertwining riffs.
- Meshuggah - Sleeping Dogs and Dead Lions. Nuff' said.
- Biffy Clyro, once label mates, I'd say Mike (who now plays live with them) and Simon Neil influenced each other. Especially vocals. Mike switches between emotional delivery and half-screamed, half-sung vocals at other points, much like Neil.
- Mike Patton. Another innovator and hero of Vennarts.
- I'd hint at Sunny Day Real Estate/other 90s emo, when it comes to vocal influence as well. And I know for a fact from conversations with band members that some of the band listen to Kinsella bands American Football, Owen and/or Owls.
- Nine Inch Nails according to the band, but it's more in the rhythmic side, although songs like Paper Champion have a dark, atmospheric feel.
- Pavement clearly as well. And Home & Minor, their minimalistic, lo-fi release echoed them lyrically.
Hope that helps!
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