Harry Shaw - Oasis

Copyright 2006 Omnibus Press
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ISBN: 978-0-85712-366-4

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It proves weve done everything we said we would, and its as much a success for our fans as it is for us. There are ten bands in the Top Ten, five in the Top Five, but theres only one at Number 1!

The words are those of Oasis guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher after Some Might Say, their sixth single, reached the top in May 1995. By knocking teen idols and fellow Mancunians Take That (including Robbie Williams) off the top, they struck a blow for music - but the message was clearly to Londoners Blur, Oasiss bitter rivals in the Battle of Brit-Pop that occupied the charts and the headlines for most of that year.

For a few short publicity-fuelled months, the two groups rivalry was something akin to The Beatles and the Stones in the Sixties. And though Oasiss musical inspiration came squarely from The Beatles, the Gallagher brothers - outspoken vocalist Liam was the other - were clearly more than comfortable to inherit Jagger and Richards mantle as kings of controversy. The war of words with Blur is now ancient history, but the brothers have gone on to attack other groups and artists, former members of Oasis and, most colourfully, each other. An interview disc, the intriguingly titled Wibbling Rivalry, contained enough personal invective to curdle milk, while Liams non-appearance on screen for a Jools Holland-hosted TV show led to the terse comment from Noel: Hes lost his voice and his job.

The senior sibling evidently relented - but such a volatile combination of talents would clearly take some management. And so it proved: tours of the States (1996) and Europe (2000) were interrupted by the departure of Noel, seemingly unable to stomach the behaviour of his brother. At least after the Gallaghers Barcelona barney the band continued with a substitute guitarist in tow, for which an unusually contrite Noel later confessed himself grateful.

The departure of long-time guitarist and bassist Paul Bonehead Arthurs and Paul Guigsy McGuigan in 1999, combined with the formation of own label Big Brother (after the collapse of Creation) seemed likely to intensify Noels control of the band. But, as their first studio album of the new millennium (and their fifth in total), approached, it seemed other members - and even Liam - might be allowed to break the elder Gallaghers hitherto vice-like creative stranglehold. Perhaps parenthood had mellowed the man even if both his marriage (to blonde rock chick socialite Meg Mathews) and Liams (to blonde rock chick singer/actress Patsy Kensit) had ended in very public disarray.

Though theyd released nothing save a patchy live album for some years, the brothers Gallagher were newsworthy enough to bag a front cover of New Musical Express in the autumn of 2001, simply for being themselves. And, sure enough, their pronouncements about the state of music, the state of the world (including the then-fresh Afghan conflict) and the state of their complex lives made headlines across the entire media spectrum in the days that followed.

The lesson was clear - write off Liam and Noel at your peril. Because when it came to confounding the critics and winding up Wapping (and the rest of what was once Fleet Street), the Gallaghers still have few equals.

But their first studio album of the new millennium revealed that other band members - even Liam - were being allowed to break the elder Gallaghers hitherto vice-like creative stranglehold. Perhaps parenthood had mellowed the man - even if both his marriage (to blonde rock chick socialite Meg Mathews) and Liams (to blonde rock chick singer/actress Patsy Kensit) had ended in very public disarray. Though theyd released nothing save a patchy live album for some years, the brothers Gallagher were newsworthy enough to bag a front cover of New Musical Express in the autumn of 2001, simply for being themselves. And while their progress through the noughties was far from as naughty as previous form would indicate, the UK chart-topping performance of 2005s Dont Believe The Truth and its first single Lyla proved that there was still room for them in the worlds record collections. And theres no danger theyll shut up completely - which is good news for the tabloids, because if Oasis didnt exist theyd have to invent them. In Liams sage words, We have to give you lot something to write about or youd be stuck with Travis and Coldplay. Anyone arguin?

That Manchester scene, right, it took those bands ages to get into the charts. And that was with a scene - loads of idiots walking about in flares. Weve just popped up now, and the first singles gone in the charts. Dont need a scene, man. Know what I mean?

LIAM (1994)

When you play Manchester, youve got this audience and youre never sure how they feel about you. They seemed all right, but they could have been shit. I knew thered be people there slagging us off for moving out of Manchester and having a Cockney drummer, or whatever. Theres a lot of bitterness.

LIAM (1995)

Im sure there are loads of people in Manchester who hate us doing well. And theres loads who suddenly want to be best mates. I mean, I was banned from the Dry Bar, but the other day they tried to get me to sign some picture for them like nothing had happened. I dont need those people. Its their problem if they cant handle us being successful.

LIAM (1995)

As soon as I got some money, I was out of there. In Manchester I was sick and tired of going into pubs Id been going into since I was 15 and everyone saying, Tight bastard! if I didnt buy drinks and Flash Bastard! if I did. I was sick and tired of young crackheads coming up to me in clubs sticking a screwdriver in me back and saying, Were doing the merchandising on your next tour or Were going to be your security team.