Oasis

From LoveToKnow Music

Oasis
Genre	Britpop
Origin	Burnage, Manchester, UK
Active	1993-present
Albums	Definitely Maybe (1994) What's The Story (Morning Glory (1996) Be Here Now (1997) Don't Believe The Truth (2005)
Songs	Wonderwallt Don't Look Back In Anger Champagne Supernova Let There Be Love
Website	Official Oasis website

Oasis is a rock band hailing from the UK. During the height of their popularity in the mid 1990s, Oasis and their light catchy music were a worldwide hit.

Oasis

During the height of Britpop in the mid ‘90s, Oasis were deemed the biggest band in the world, and surpassed even ‘60s rock ‘n roll top dogs The Beatles in record sales. The band have been compared to the likes of The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks and The Jam for their musical structure and rebellious behaviour. In their early days Oasis really played up to this rock star image. In particular, lead singer Liam Gallagher acquired a heady reputation for drinking and brawling, often getting into trouble for punching paparazzi photographers. He even once publicly challenged ex Take That singer Robbie Williams to a boxing match! The relationship between brothers Liam and Noel was notoriously unstable, and often affected the progression of the band.

What’s the Story?

Liam and Noel Gallagher grew up in Burnage, Manchester, home to some of British pop’s biggest players: the Stone Roses, Happy Mondays and New Order to name but a few. It was Liam who first formed the band in 1993 with Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass), and Tony McCaroll (drums), and they were originally called Rain. Noel, who had been touring with the Inspiral Carpets as a guitar technician, arrived home and after discovering his brother’s dabbling in music, declared that he would join Liam’s band, providing he could have complete creative control. Renaming the band Oasis, the lads embarked on a year of rigorous rehearsing, and began gigging in small pubs and clubs.

One evening Noel managed to convince head of Creation Records Alan McGee to listen to the band’s demo tape. He was suitably impressed, and consequently signed them. In 1994 Oasis released ‘Supersonic’, and their speedy flight to stardom began. ‘Shakermaker’ was released in the summer, and a month prior to their first album Definitely Maybe was released ‘Live Forever’ became a major hit. Definitely Maybe was the fastest-selling debut in British music history, slamming straight into the charts at number one. 1996’s What’s The Story (Morning Glory) was also incredibly successful, riding on the back of ‘Some Might Say’, which was released on the same day as Blur’s ‘Country House’ - the ultimate chart battle - and ‘Wonderwall’, now one of the most popular ballads of the 20th century.

International Superstars

Oasis are one of the only British bands ever to successfully ‘break’ America. On the strength of ‘Wonderwall’, What’s The Story... reached the top ten, though the Gallagher brother’s fiery relationship caused them to pull out of their 1996 U.S. tour. However, the band’s two Knebworth concerts broke records for being the biggest outdoor concert in England ever. Oasis then took several months out to record their third album Be Here Now, released in August 1997. Although it was hugely successful in both the UK and America, it was criticised for being over produced, and consequently was not as popular was Oasis’ first two albums. Domestic squabbling took hold of the band once more, and their tour was subsequently cancelled. The band retracted from the limelight for a while, though 1998 saw the release of The Masterplan, a collection of B-Sides from their musical career thus far.

And then there were two…

The Gallagher brothers are the only remaining members from the original line up. Alan White replaced drummer Tony McCarroll shortly after ‘Some Might Say’ from their second album was recorded. Paul Arthurs left the band during the recording process of Oasis’ fourth album in the summer of 1999, which was shortly followed by the departure of Paul McGuigan. After the fourth album was completed, ex-Ride guitarist Andy Bell and guitarist from Heavy Stereo Gem Archer joined the band. Live record Familiar to Millions was released, and two years later their fifth studio album Heathen Chemistry arrived on the shelves. This latest offering marked a distinct decline in interest in the band, with singles struggling to make a mainstay on MTV2 and mainstream radio. Problems with touring also stifled the album’s success, with Noel, Andy and touring keyboardist Jay Darlington injured after their taxi collided with another vehicle while on tour in America.

Recording sessions for the band’s sixth album were delayed when a scheduled collaboration with electronica outfit Death in Vegas as producers was cancelled. Alan White left the band, but was replaced by Ringo Starr’s son Zak Starkey. Don’t Believe The Truth was finally released in May 2005. The Gallaghers have always maintained an uncompromising faith in the band, claiming that Oasis have achieved ultimate world domination. And to some extent, this can’t really be denied.