Oasis (band)
Background Information
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| Oasis | |
|---|---|
 Vocalist Liam Gallagher, and guitarist Noel Gallagher performing in San Diego, California on 18 September 2005 |
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Genres | Rock, Britpop, alternative rock |
| Years active | 1991–2009 |
| Labels | Creation, Epic, Columbia, Sony Music, Big Brother, Reprise (U.S.) |
| Associated acts | The Rain, Beady Eye, Ride, Heavy Stereo, Hurricane #1 |
| Website | oasisinet.com |
| Past members | |
| Liam Gallagher (1991-2009) Noel Gallagher (1991-2009) Gem Archer (1999-2009) Andy Bell (1999-2009) Alan White (1995-2004) Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan (1991-1999) Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs (1991-1999) Tony McCarroll (1991-1995) Zak Starkey (2004-2008)* Chris Sharrock (2008-2009)* * denotes unofficial touring/recording member |
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Oasis were an English rock band that formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher (vocals and tambourine), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs (guitar), Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan (bass guitar) and Tony McCarroll (drums, percussion), who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar and vocals). They have had eight UK number-one singles and eight UK number-one albums, and won fifteen NME Awards, nine Q Awards, four MTV Europe Music Awards and six BRIT Awards, including one in 2007 for outstanding contribution to music and one for the best album of the last 30 years as voted by the BBC Radio 2 listeners; they have been nominated for three Grammy Awards. As of 2009, the band have sold an estimated 70 million records worldwide. Also the band was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010 for “Longest Top 10 UK Chart Run By A Group” after an unprecedented run of 22 successive Top 10 hits in the UK. The band also holds the Guinness World Record for being the "Most Successful Act of the Last Decade" in the UK between the years 1995 and 2005, spending 765 weeks in the Top 75 singles and albums charts.
Its members were signed to independent record label Creation Records and afterwards released their record-setting debut album Definitely Maybe in 1994. The following year, the band recorded (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) with their new drummer Alan White in the midst of rivalry with Britpop peers Blur in the charts. The Gallagher brothers featured regularly in tabloid newspapers for their sibling disputes and wild lifestyles. In 1997, Oasis released their third album, Be Here Now, and although it became the fastest-selling album in UK chart history, the album's popularity tapered off quickly. The band lost members Paul McGuigan and Paul Arthurs as they went on to record and release Standing on the Shoulder of Giants in 2000 and were replaced by Gem Archer and Andy Bell who joined the group for the tour in support of Giants. The band found renewed success and popularity starting with 2005's Don't Believe the Truth.
In August 2009, Noel Gallagher announced his departure from the band after a backstage altercation with Liam before a festival appearance. A band comprising of the remaining members of Oasis, led by Liam Gallagher, decided to continue working together under the name Beady Eye.
Musical style
Oasis were most heavily influenced by The Beatles, an influence which was frequently labelled as an "obsession" by the British media. In addition members of Oasis have cited The Stone Roses, T. Rex, and The Smiths, as an influence or inspiration.
There are several, well-documented, cases of plagiarism in the music of Oasis. An example of Oasis music that led to legal action was: Neil Innes (ex of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and The Rutles) who sued after the song " Whatever" borrowed from his "How Sweet To Be An Idiot". He was awarded royalties and a co-writer credit. Noel Gallagher claimed in 2010 that the plagiarism was unintentional and he was unaware of the similarities until informed of Innes' legal case. Oasis were also sued by Coca Cola and forced to change lyrics after it was alleged that the song " Shakermaker" lifted words and melody from " I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing". When promotional copies of (What's the Story) Morning Glory? were originally distributed, they contained a song called "Step Out". The promotional CD was quickly withdrawn and replaced with a version that omitted the controversial song, which was allegedly similar to the Stevie Wonder song " Uptight (Everything's Alright)". The song later appeared as the B-side to " Don't Look Back in Anger", albeit now listing "Wonder, et. al" as cowriters. The initial promotional CD of the album featuring "Step Out" is now a collectors item.
Legacy and influence
Many bands and artists have cited Oasis as an influence or inspiration, including The Killers, The Coral, Ryan Adams, The Rifles, The Pigeon Detectives, and Kasabian.
No Way Sis were a cover band from Glasgow who had a top 40 hit in the UK with "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" a cover of the New Seekers song sung in the manner of Oasis. The Japanese band Little by Little derived their name from the Oasis song of the same name.
Discography
- 1994: Definitely Maybe
- 1995: (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
- 1997: Be Here Now
- 2000: Standing on the Shoulder of Giants
- 2002: Heathen Chemistry
- 2005: Don't Believe the Truth
- 2008: Dig Out Your Soul
