Copycat, otherwise known as Patrick Ouchène ws born in Brussels on the 5th of December, 1966. He has been active as a singer for many years, enjoying some success in the 80’s with the release of two albums, an EP and numerous singles. His first album was a collaboration, featuring vocals from none other than Dani Klein, lead vocalist with hugely popular band Vaya Con Dios. He then went on to later produce and release a further 6 CDs which offering his fans pure unadulterated rockabilly music.
His most significant commercial success however happened in the early 90s, when as a member of the group The Dominoes, they cracked the French top 10 with the hit Je Suis Swing, giving them much media exposure and giving them the opportunity to promote their sound on several French TV shows. As a direct result of this, Ouchène even got to sing with a duet, C’est à Paris with French music icon Charles Aznavour. An extremely active professional period followed, with the uncompromising artist in great demand, playing the circuits and giving concerts and appearances at hundreds of venues, performing with names such as Johnny Clegg, Michel Legrand and Louisiana Red.
Ouchène has also, alongside all of this, managed to maintain two principal projects, again with extensive touring. The Million $ Sunrise is one of his bands which he uses as a vehicle for bringing unapologetic, authentic vintage Sun Sound from the 50s to the masses. At the same time, he also performs in Running Wild, offering their contemporary take on the rockabilly sound. With his fingers in so many pies, the activity doesn’t stop there, as Patrick is also in demands as a session musician, due to his skills with the rockabilly guitar.
He is a keen promoter of the 50s vibe, and through the organisation ask4, many nostalgic fifties events have been held throughout Belgium. His devotion to the era doesn’t stop there however, as he seemingly even lives the dream, dressing the part and sporting a trademark ducktail quiff from the era, which led to some comparisons to Elvis and people even stopping him in the street, addressing him as Elvis. His distinctive look has led to him featuring in a number of Belgian TV commercials, for companies such as Belgacom and Electrabel, as well as featuring in a number of films, namely La Vie Sexuelle Des Belges and Palmira.
Patrick doesn’t just perform music from the 50s playing cover after cover, he also is an adept musician who writes and composes his own material in the rockabilly genre. Depsite many comparisions to Elvis Presley, his favourite musician without question is Buddy Holly, one of his great musical influences.
