Oasis

One of the most decorated artists of the 1990s, for the best part of two decades Oasis were an instantly recognisable part of British culture and a key cog in the all-conquering machine that was the Cool Britannia movement.

The group rose to fame with the release of Definitely Maybe in 1994, which became an instant success, debuting at number one in the UK charts. They went on to have a much-publicised rivalry with Blur, and despite losing the biggest singles chart battle in British history, they would go on to win the war, becoming global stars with (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, which includes arguably their biggest hit, “Wonderwall.”. Original drummer Tony McCarroll was sacked prior to recording the second album.

The band released their third album Be Here Now in 1997, amid conflict between the Gallagher brothers. Although it went to number two in the US charts, sales were below expectations and it has since been regarded poorly. Fourth album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, released in 2000, was also received apprehensively by critics but managed to reach number one in the UK charts. Notably, it featured the first song written by Liam for an Oasis studio album, an ode to his stepson entitled “Little James”.
During the sessions for the album, Noel Gallagher imposed a ‘no drink or drugs’ policy to protect Liam’s voice. Hence, regular producer Owen Morris, himself a heavy drug user, was not enlisted and the band went with pop producer Mark “Spike” Stent.
The policy was also one of the reasons that during the recording both guitarist Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs and bassist Paul ‘Guigsy’ McGuigan (Bonehead was a heavy drinker and Guigsy was dependent on weed), quit so Colin ‘Gem’ Archer and Andy Bell were brought on to replace them.
However, neither played on Standing on the Shoulder of Giants as the recording had already finished.

Their fifth album, Heathen Chemistry was released in 2002 to similar success, and the band continued touring. This was the first Oasis album in which Archer and Bell contributed songs – Gem’s “Hung In a Bad Place” and Bell’s “A Quick Peep”. In 2004, drummer Alan White left due to concerns about his commitment to the band and Zak Starkey joined for sixth album Don’t Believe the Truth, released in 2005, but only lasted until the next album Dig Out Your Soul (2008), when he was unofficially replaced by Chris Sharrock. Starkey was never made an official member.

Oasis split in 2009 after Liam and Noel Gallagher’s antagonistic relationship reached breaking point. Noel went on to form Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and the remainder of the band continued as Beady Eye until 2014, when they split. In 2017 Liam Gallagher released his own solo record.

On August 27th, Oasis announced their comeback on Social Media, with plans for a world tour in 2025.

Full Discography

The Gallagher brothers are notoriously surly toward their fans, “I don’t have to be nice to people because they dig my music,” Noel told Rolling Stone. “I don’t live my life to have my picture taken by fans. I’m not asking them to buy records. They buy them because they like them.”

The band’s name was taken from Swindon Oasis Leisure Centre in south west England, a clothes shop in the Manchester Arndale shopping center called Oasis, and a taxi rank round the corner from where they lived. Liam Gallagher told NME in 2013: “It meant that we were out there, because we were different. It was a s–t name.”

Members

Liam Gallagher – lead and backing vocals, tambourine (1991–2009, 2024–present)
Noel Gallagher – lead and rhythm guitars, backing and lead vocals, keyboards, bass, drums (1991–2009, 2024–present)
Colin “Gem” Archer – rhythm and lead guitars, keyboards, harmonica, backing vocals (1999–2009, 2024–present)
Andy Bell – bass, keyboards, rhythm and lead guitars (1999–2009, 2024–present)
Alan White – drums and percussion (1995–2004)
Paul “Guigsy” McGuigan – bass (1991–1999)
Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs – rhythm and lead guitars, keyboards, bass (1991–1999, 2024–present)
Tony McCarroll – drums and percussion (1991–1995)