British pop rockers, Oasis, were little known in America before they became a mega-hit in the US in the mid-'90s. The group was formed in Manchester, England, in 1991 as the Rain by Liam Gallagher (vocals), Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs (guitar), Paul 'Guigs' McGuigan (bass) and Tony McCaroll (drums). Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher (a former roadie for the Inspiral Carpets) soon joined the band to add his vocals and songwriting abilities to the group, and was responsible for changing its name to Oasis.
Oasis recorded a demo featuring 'Better Let You Know,' 'Colour My Life' and 'Snakebite.' Noel Gallagher passed on the demo to some of his contacts at Creation Records. Creation Records' head man who is credited for discovering Oasis was Alan McGee, who quickly signed the group.
Oasis' first few U.K. singles, released in spring/summer 1994, were increasingly successful; by the time the group's debut album, 'Definitely Maybe', came out in the fall of 1994, it debuted at No. 1 in Britain, selling millions of copies. In the U.S. 'Definitely Maybe' went gold over the next year, reaching the charts on the strength of MTV singles such as 'Live Forever' and 'Supersonic.' The LP release of 'Definitely Maybe' contained a bonus track called 'Sad Song.'
Although popular, Oasis had more than its fair share of tensions, especially between the two brothers (they fought loudly, openly and often). Some brothers enjoy each other's company. They hang out together, playing football or cheeky bingo, watching films. They seek each other out for advice or help when they need it. Not these brothers! They couldn't get along well at all. They didn't only target each other, either. They eagerly attacked fellow British pop/rockers, Blur. And Liam Gallagher attacked drummer Tony McCarroll, who quickly left the group in 1995. Despite their fights, the name of Oasis' own record company is Big Brother Recordings. Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs' was later replaced by guitarist Gem Archer, who was formerly in the band Heavy Stereo.
Even with the turmoil, Oasis pulled through their difficulties successfully, returning in late 1995 with '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?', which debuted at No. 1 in the U.K. and became the second-best selling album in British history. When Oasis performed at Knebworth in the summer of 1996, it was reportedly the biggest outdoor event ever held in Britain. 'Morning Glory?' also reached the U.S. Top 10 thanks to alternative airplay of its single 'Wonderwall.'
Oasis' first Number 1 UK Single was released in 1995 and was called 'Some Might Say.' This was McCarroll's replacement, Alan White's, first record with the group and plays the drums for every track on '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?' except 'Some Might Say.'
'Wonderwall' was the first Oasis single to be released in America by Epic Records, and it earned Noel Gallagher a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song (songwriter).
'Step Out' had to be withdrawn from '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?' because of its debt to Stevie Wonder's mid-60s Motown classic 'Uptight (Everything's Alright).'
Berwick Street in London is featured on the front sleeve artwork of '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?'
Oasis' third studio album, 'Be Here Now', came out in 1997, followed by a worldwide tour. Slide Guitar on 'Fade In-Out' off the album is played by Johnn Depp. The album was dedicated to Bonehead's mother, Delia Arthurs.
In November 1998, the band released their fourth album on Epic, 'The Masterplan', a 14-track collection of previously unreleased (in the U.S.) B-sides.
Their fifth album was released in 2000, named 'Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants.' Sir Isaac Newton's quote, 'If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants,' was the inspiration for Oasis' fifth album title. PP Arnold, who started her career as a backup singer for Ike & Tina Turner, sings backup vocals on 'Standing On the Shoulder of Giants'
Oasis is watching 'The Good, The Bad and the Ugly' on the cover of 'Definitely Maybe'?
Tim Abbott, Oasis' biographer and ex-managing director of the band's record label, Creation, can be seen holding a glass of Champers on the sleeve of 'Cigarettes & Alcohol.' 'Listen Up,' 'I Am the Walrus' and 'Fade Away' are on the UK single 'Cigarettes & Alcohol'
The Beatle's cover 'Helter Skelter' is on the Japanese version of the 'Go Let It Out' single.
Oasis' cover of the 1973 Glam-Rock classic 'Cum On Feel The Noize' was originally written by Slade
'Go Let It Out' contains elements from "I Walk on Gilded Splinters," performed by Johnny Jenkins.
The filming of the video for 'Who Feels Love?' took place in Death Valley, California.
The lyric 'But from my crystal gazing eye. There shines a light, like dynamite' is from the song, 'Flashbax.'
A live version of 'Don't Look Back in Anger' can be found on Creation Records' 'Rock The Dock' compilation CD.
'Digsy's Dinner' title is mis-spelled on the back of the US release of 'Definitely Maybe.' Digsy, from the song 'Digsy's Dinner', is a member of the band Smaller.
The Oasis song 'Shakermaker' sounds similar to an old Coca-Cola jingle, 'I'd like To Teach The World To Sing'
The British television programme, 'The Royle Family,' uses 'Half the World Away' as its theme song.
'Faith in the lord is something I could never have' is a line from 'My Sister Lover.'
Oasis' first US show was July 21, 1994, in New York City.
On June 18 and 19, 1997, Oasis played in Oakland, California supporting U2.
Cornershop supported Oasis' 1998 January/February US tour.
The opening band scheduled for Oasis in Dublin at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, July 8th, 2000, was Supergrass.
MUSIC FACTS
