On This Day In Oasis History.....

"The Importance of Being Idle" is a song on the British rock band Oasis' sixth album, Don't Believe the Truth, written and sung by lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was the second single released from the album in the UK, on August 22, 2005, where it debuted at #1. It was also the first time that Oasis earned two successive #1's in the same calendar year. It was written by Gallagher sometime during the summer of 2004, before the band made their final attempt at recording what would become Don't Believe the Truth. He got the title from the Mark Twain book of the same name which he found whilst cleaning out his garage (it belonged not to him but to girlfriend Sara McDonald.)



Musically, as Noel has commented, the song sounds like tunes from two British bands, The Kinks and The La's. In particular, the sentiment expressed is noticeably similar to The Kinks' "Sunny Afternoon" and "Dead End Street", and the use of falsetto for every other verse line recalls The La's "Feelin'". The guitar sound is similar also to The La's b-side "Clean Prophet". It also is a breakaway from the sound of Oasis's latter albums, especially the straight ahead rock 'n' roll anthems of Heathen Chemistry. The keyboard used on the pre-chorus sections was bought by bassist Andy Bell from the auction website eBay.

Noel has said that the lyrics of "The Importance of Being Idle" are inspired by his own laziness. Some of the second verse, with the reference to begging his doctor for "one more line", seems to be referring to an actual event as this resembles Noel's account of how he gave up cocaine in 1998.

Most reviewers acclaimed the track as one of the highlights of Don't Believe the Truth, which itself was widely praised as a marked return to form. The band mentioned in interviews in June that it would become the second single, after the UK Number One "Lyla". The b-sides are Liam Gallagher's "Pass Me Down the Wine" and Gem Archer's "The Quiet Ones."



The promo film was directed by Dawn Shadforth, (whose previous videos include Kylie Minogue's award-winning "Can't Get You Out Of My Head"). Shadforth's film for "The Importance of Being Idle' starred Welsh actor Rhys Ifans and homages the style of early 1960's kitchen sink drama British films, and is set during the build up to a funeral procession in a northern town, with the extravagant undertakers parading the coffin at the video's climax and Ifans playing the part of a high-kicking funeral director [1]. The band make a brief appearance as lazy workers playing cards in an undertaker's office. It was widely acclaimed at the time as being probably the best video Oasis had ever made, not least by the band themselves, who were said to be very happy with the finished product.

Q Magazine readers placed the song at #1 in a list of 2005's greatest tracks.

The video for the song was voted the video of the year at the NME Awards.

Source: Wikpedia

On This Day In Oasis History.....

Be Here Now is the third studio album by English rock band Oasis, first released on August 21st 1997.

It was Oasis' most eagerly-awaited album, and while it was commercially successful, it failed to live up to the expectations that preceded its release. Despite its mixed critical reception, in 1998 Q magazine readers voted it the 13th greatest album of all time (although it subsequently slipped to 459th place in a poll by the same magazine). Retrospectively, the album is criticised for being over-indulgent, bloated, and with the guitars having a slightly "acidy" sound. Be Here Now is, nonetheless, held in high regard amongst some Oasis fans.

When released in the UK, Oasis were at the height of their fame. It became the fastest selling album of all time — it sold 423,000 copies on the first day of release alone, moving 695,761 copies in the first week and over 1 million within two weeks. Be Here Now went on to sell 8 million copies worldwide. It also topped the charts in 28 different countries.

Tracklisting

01. D'You Know What I Mean? – 7:42
02. My Big Mouth – 5:02
03. Magic Pie – 7:19
04. Stand by Me – 5:56
05. I Hope, I Think, I Know – 4:23
06. The Girl in the Dirty Shirt – 5:49
07. Fade In-Out – 6:52
08. Don't Go Away – 4:48
09. Be Here Now – 5:13
10. All Around the World – 9:20
11. It's Gettin' Better (Man!!) – 7:00
12. All Around the World (Reprise) – 2:08

All tracks written by Noel Gallagher.

Singles From Album



D'You Know What I Mean?
Released: 7 July 1997
Writer: Noel Gallagher
Producers: Owen Morris and Noel Gallagher
Chart Positions: #1 (UK) , #1 (FIN), #1 (IRE)



Stand By Me
Released: 22 September 1997
Writer: Noel Gallagher
Producers: Owen Morris and Noel Gallagher
Chart Positions: #2 (UK)



All Around The World
Released: 12 January 1998
Writer: Noel Gallagher
Producers: Owen Morris and Noel Gallagher
Chart Positions: #1 (UK), #1 (IRE)



Don't Go Away (Japan only)
Released: 13 May 1998
Writer: Noel Gallagher
Producers: Owen Morris and Noel Gallagher
Chart Position: — ?

Miscellanea

Noel Gallagher said that, in fact, he wanted to make a double album, but later reconsidered and scrapped some of the tracks intended for this release. Some, like "Stay Young" and "Going Nowhere", were released as B-sides. Nevertheless, the record is their longest so far: at over 70 minutes, it is about 25 minutes longer than the average length of their other records.

Be Here Now is the fastest selling album in UK chart history.

Famous actor Johnny Depp guests on slide guitar on "Fade In-Out". Reportedly, Noel was too inebriated to perform it himself.

"My Big Mouth" and "It's Gettin' Better (Man!!)" were premiered at the open air gig at Loch Lomond.

According to Noel Gallagher, the album name stems from a John Lennon quote. When asked what history was, during his bed-in demonstration, Lennon replied "to be here now" . Be Here Now is also the title of a song by George Harrison.

Be Here Now is also the name of an influential 1971 book by Richard Alpert (which likely inspired Harrison's song). The phrase describes the Vedic teaching that to dwell in the past or future is to be dead in the present. Thus, enlightenment lies in living continuously in the present.
The date on the calendar on the album cover varies depending upon the release date of Be Here Now in the relevant country. Therefore, it says August 21 on the British version, but August 26 in the American version.

The cover photo was taken at Stocks House in Aldbury, Hertfordshire, which used to be the rural base of Playboy UK.

At the beginning of "D'You Know What I Mean?", the Morse code in the background says "bugger all", "pork pies" and "Strawberry Fields Forever".

The car parked in the pool on the cover of the album has been widely assumed as a tribute to The Who drummer Keith Moon. The car in the pool refers to a myth that Moon parked a Cadillac in a Holiday Inn swimming pool during his 21st birthday party.

Liam and Noel's Opinions

The Gallagher brothers have different opinions about the record. While Noel is washing his hands of it, blaming it for over-production and high intake of "booze" and cocaine, it is interesting that Liam defends and likes the record:

Noel:

"Liam thinks it rocks."

"It's the sound of 5 men in a studio, on coke, not giving a fuck. There's no bass to it at all, don't know where that went. The songs are too long and the lyrics are shit and for every millisecond Liam is not singing, there's an air-guitar there in a 'Wayne's World' style."

"It's surprising how many people say to me it's their favourite Oasis album, but I don't like it because I'm giving it all this on the guitar all the time Our Kid's not singing."

He also claims that the album will not be remembered like Definitely Maybe or Morning Glory, but says the title explains what the album is all about: it was great at the time of release. It fitted the music of the day perfectly, but has not stood the test of time.

Liam:

"We thought it was great, and I still think it's great. People always talk about Definitely Maybe. Fuck Morning Glory, it's over! Fuck Definitely Maybe, it's over!"

Source: Wikipedia

Oasis Set For Live Album

Oasis and Franz Ferdinand are amongst those set to be included on a new live compilation album.

The BBC Radio 1's 'Live Lounge' collection will be released on September 18th and sees 24 tracks in total, including some special cover versions.

Track Listing:
01. OutKast - Ms Jackson
02. Natasha Bedingfield - Scientist
03. Editors - All Sparks
04. Will Young - Hey Ya
05. Lemar - I Believe In A Thing Called Love
06. Mylo - In My Arms
07. The Coral - Dreaming Of You
08. 50 Cent - In Da Club
09. Razorlight - Golden Touch
10. Sugababes - Living For The Weekend
11. Queens Of The Stone Age - No One Knows
12. The Bravery - An Honest Mistake
13. Jamie Cullum - Frontin'
14. Hard-Fi - Tied Up Too Tight
15. Damien Rice - Cannonball
16. Lemon Jelly - Nice Weather For Ducks
17. Dizzee Rascal - Jus A Rascal
18. Basement Jaxx - Romeo
19. Oasis - Songbird
20. Franz Ferdinand - What You Waiting For
21. Royksopp - Poor Leno
22. Maximo Park - Gone Missing
23. Embrace - How Come
24. Snow Patrol - Run

Source: www.angryape.com/

Oasis Boosts Exam Results

Walk down the corridor of any campus accommodation and it’s clear that music is a vital contributor to great grades.

And according to findings from AA Insurance, Oasis is the all-time favourite band to study to, with almost twice as many votes as the next favourite, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

The survey was prompted by AA Insurance as it launches on-line student contents insurance, which can cover DVD players, i-pods and even laptop computers – all essential kit that can easily disappear if not looked after.

And the top 10 table of favourite bands amongst former University students:
Oasis 10.0 per cent
Red Hot Chilli Peppers 5.9 per cent
Nirvana 5.2 per cent
Queen 5.1 per cent
U2 5.0 per cent
Metallica 4.1 per cent
The Smiths 3.2 per cent
Coldplay 3.2 per cent
Guns ’n’ Roses 3.0 per cent
Meatloaf 2.9 per cent

Source: www.easier.com

Liam Ready To Move Again ?

Rock Star Liam Gallagher's long association with Hampstead looks to be sliding away.

The wild man of rock has lived in the area for a number of years but was recently spotted viewing a house in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

It appears Gallagher has had enough of life in NW3 after a series of runs-ins with his neighbours.

The rock'n'roll star was forced to leave his old home in Redington Road because he was fed up with fans camping outside his front door.

And he recently had a spat with a neighbour in his new Primrose Hill flat after they reported him for making too much noise.

But the source of the complaint was not from all night partying or playing music too loudly.

Instead the neighbour complained that the younger Gallagher brother, who lives with long-term partner Nicole Appleton and son Gene, had been making too much noise on his running machine.

Perhaps in a bid to appease the resident, he has recently been spotted keeping in shape by hitting the treadmill at his local gym.

The singer was unavailable for comment. But a neighbour, who was quizzed about the fact that Liam may be leaving, said: "It's not my business. I didn't complain about him. It's between the Gallaghers and the other neighbours.

Source: www.hamhigh.co.uk

Noel Gets Some Kasabian Love

Kasabian played a storming show on Tuesday night, a perfect warm-up for their headline slot at this weekend’s V Festival.

Noel Gallagher watched from a sweaty throng of fans and even received a nod from the Leicester lads when they dedicated new track The Last Trip to the Oasis legend.

The band arrived on stage to the theme tune from cult movie A Clockwork Orange before knocking out a brilliant 75-minute set.

Serge Pizzorno, Tom Mieghan, Chris Edwards and Ian Matthews played eight tracks from second album Empire and old favourites including Club Foot, LSF, Cutt Off and Reason Is Treason.

I’m sponsoring the boys’ forthcoming Christmas arena tour, which kicks off on December 5 in their home town.To get your hands on tickets — which are selling like hot cakes — go to www.livenation.co.uk/kasabianthesun

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Noel Takes Geldof Daughter Under His Wing

Aging Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher has taken teenager Peaches Geldof under his wing while they are both attending the Ibiza Rocks festival.

Peaches’ father, Sir Bob Geldof is said to be frantic with worry over his party loving daughter and Noel has promised to take care of her.

According to the Daily Star, while Peaches and Noel were both in Bar M he took her to one side to have a fatherly word in her ear.

A source said: "Noel was really sweet and fatherly towards Peaches. He told her he loved her work as a DJ and that she could be a huge star. He was quite concerned about her overdoing things though, but she reassured him that she was OK.

"Noel also told her that whatever the situation or problem, no matter what time of day or night it was, she could go to him."Her dad will be pleased…

Source: Entertainmentwise London

Blast From The Past.......

One of my all-time favorite Oasis acoustic performances from 1994.

Dedicated to my baby daughter Leah born on Wednesday.

Andy Bell Live In Sweden

On Saturday 12th of August. Andy Bell was headlining a new festival called Fest-i-Val in a little town called Umeå in the north of Sweden.

To find out more information visit thier myspace page at www.myspace.com/festival2006

Early Night For Noel

Eva Simpson & Caroline Hedley

Oh Dear - sounds like Noel Gallagher isn't so mad fer it these days.

The 39-year-old took girlfriend Sara McDonald to see Kasabian's Ibiza Rocks gig in Manumission's Bar M, on Saturday but had to be taken back to his hotel early.

A clubber tells us: "Noel had a top time but by the end of the set he was waning and had to be helped to bed."

Source: www.mirror.co.uk

Noel Helps Pizzed Serge

Noel Gallagher has been playing godfather to his young mucker Serge Pizzorno from Kasabian.

The Oasis singer is staying in Ibiza for a couple of weeks and went on a bender with Kasabian’s lead guitarist after their show on Friday.

Serge got hammered on the booze-up, which went on till 9am, but Noel kept a paternal eye on him.

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

On This Day In Oasis History.....

"Roll With It" is a song by British rock band Oasis written by their lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was released 14 August 1995 as the second single from their second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory, reaching #2 in the UK Singles Chart (see 1995 in British music).

"Roll With It" received a great deal of attention when Food Records, the label of chief Britpop rivals Blur, moved the original release date of single "Country House" to clash with it, sparking what came to be known as "The Battle of Britpop". The British media had already reported an intense rivalry between the two bands and this clash of releases was seen as a battle for the number one spot. The media sensation was spurred on by verbal attacks from the respective camps (in particular Noel and Liam Gallagher, Damon Albarn and Alex James), that extended beyond the music industry to the point where the two bands were regularly mentioned on the evening news. In particular, public imagination was sparked by the contrast between the gritty, working class Oasis and the artsy, middle class Blur. In the end, Blur's "Country House" single sold 274,000 copies to Oasis' 216,000 copies of "Roll with It". The singles charted at number 1 and number 2 respectively. However, in the long run, Morning Glory went platinum 13 times, while Blur's album The Great Escape only managed to go platinum 3 times.


The song is like several other songs, such as "Supersonic", in that preaches the importance of being yourself. Due to its combination of a catchy tune and positive lyrics, the song ranks amongst Oasis' most popular songs and is a standard at their live performances. Noel Gallagher does not like the song at all however, and described it in a 2005 interview as "appalling".



When Oasis played "Roll With It" on British chart show Top of the Pops, the Gallagher brother switched roles with Liam pretending to play guitar, while Noel pretended to sing (equipped with Liam's tambourine). It mocked people's inability to tell them apart and also the instition of mimeing on programmes such as Top of the Pops. The set ended with the band erupting in laughter at the Gallagher's impressions of each other.

Source: Wikpedia

Blast From The Past.......

A few interviews with Noel from Soccer AM.



Noel Gallagher On Soccer AM 1998 Oasis



Noel Gallagher On Soccer AM 2004



Noel Gallagher Scoring A Penalty On Soccer AM 2004



Dirty Pretty Things and Noel Gallagher on Soccer AM 2006

Liam Spotted Outside Recording Studio

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher did his classic mad-fer-it gesture outside a London studio yesterday – while missus Nicole Appleton was busy recording with her All Saints bandmates.

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Just For Fun.............

Taken from the 1990's BBC TV show Harry Enfield And Chums.

Starring: Harry Enfield (Kevin) & Kathy Burke (Perry)

Monkey Boy Liam Adopts Boy Monkey

WILD rocker Liam Gallagher has gone so bananas over a monkey at London Zoo that he’s adopting it.

The Oasis singer, 33, took his children Molly, aged seven, and Lennon Francis, six, to the conservation area along with his brother Noel, and Noel’s six-year-old daughter Anais.

Noel, 39, monkeyed around and joked that the zoo’s Red-Faced Black Spider Monkey was the spitting image of his younger sibling.

So Liam’s kids have fallen in love with their dad’s lookalike and have convinced him to adopt their new friend.A spokesperson for London Zoo explained: "You can adopt any animal at London Zoo. And the monkeys are particularly popular.

"For a minimum donation of £20 you can get a colour photo of your chosen animal, regular updates on its progress, a certificate, free entry to the zoo and subscription to Lifewatch Magazine.

"Liam is making a substantial donation to the zoo and will take his kids on regular trips to catch up with the South American monkey.

An insider said: "It’s a very clever way for Liam to get around buying a real pet for the kids."

This way he can keep them happy without having to feed and look after an animal while they’re with their mums."

But it means that every weekend he has with them will be spent at the zoo, because the children are obsessed with their exotic new friend."

A London Zoo spokesperson added: "We can’t confirm that Liam has adopted our Red-Faced Black Spider Monkey at this time.

"We would, of course, welcome an adoption by Liam and are regularly supported in this way by celebrities.

"Most recently, Trinny and Susannah adopted our zebras of the same name at Whipsnade. Our animal adoption schemes are a great way to support our organisation, which is a charity, and to learn more about our animals.

"A spokesman for Oasis said: "Since it’s a personal matter, we can’t confirm or deny that he’s adopted a monkey."

Source: www.dailystar.co.uk

Happy Birthday Andy Bell

36 Today

Andrew Piran Bell (Born 11 August 1970, in Cardiff, Wales) is a British musician formerly of Ride, a 1980s and 90s British shoegazing band, and Hurricane #1. He currently plays Bass guitar and is a songwriter for Oasis, following the departure of Paul McGuigan in 1999. However, on latest albums, the band have taken less clearly defined roles and Bell was able to contribute guitar on his tunes.

Ride: Bell formed Ride with Mark Gardener (Guitar), who he met at Cheney School in Oxford and Laurence Colbert (Drums) and Steve Queralt (Bass), who he met doing Foundation Studies in Art and Design at Banbury in 1988. While still at Banbury the band produced a tape demo including the tracks "Chelsea Girl" and "Drive Blind". In February 1989 "Ride" were asked to stand in for a cancelled student union gig at Oxford Poly that brought them to the attention of Alan McGee. After supporting The Soup Dragons in 1989 McGee signed them to Creation Records.

With Ride, Bell released three EPs between January and September 1990, entitled "Ride", "Play" and "Fall". While the EP's were not a chart successes, enough critical praise was received to make Ride the "darlings" of music journalists. The first two EPs were eventually released together as Smile in 1992, while the "Fall" EP was incorporated into their first LP, Nowhere, released in October 1990, which was hailed as a critical success and the media dubbed Ride "The brightest hope" for 1991. This was followed in March 1992 with Going Blank Again. The twin rhythm guitars of Bell and Gardener, both distorted, both using Wah-wah pedals and both feeding back on each other was seen as the highlight of the album's critical and chart success.

Despite having a solid fanbase and some mainstream success, the lack of a breakthrough contributed to inter-band tension, especially between Gardener and Bell. Their third LP, Carnival of Light, was released in 1994, after shoegazing had given way to Britpop. Carnival of Light was oriented towards this new sound, but sales were sluggish and the shift in musical tastes devastated much of their original audience. The band were joined at creation records by Oasis, who shot to fame in 1994 with their groundbreaking debut Definitely Maybe. As label mates, Bell came to know the bands Gallagher brothers quite well and often shared in their partying, if not their success.

1995 saw the dissolution of the band while recording fourth album Tarantula due to creative and personal tensions between Gardener and Bell. The track listing of Carnival of Light gives an indication of the tension that was mounting between the two guitarists, with the first half of the album being songs written by Gardener and the last half of the album being songs written by Bell - one or both had\n refused to let their songs be interspersed with pieces written by the other. Bell penned most of the songs for Tarantula, one of which - "Castle on the Hill" - was a lament for the band\'s situation and contains references to Gardener\'s self imposed exile from the group. The album was withdrawn from sales one week after release.

Since the break-up, both Bell and Gardener have been able to be more reflective on the reasons why the group disintegrated, with Bell especially admitting his own part in the process. It appears that they had just been too young and too stubborn and had no real idea of where the band was heading when they changed their style.

Hurricane #1: Bell returned in 1997 with Hurricane #1, another Creation signing. Aware of his own vocal fragility, Bell had drafted in a more gutsy singer, Alex Lowe, who would sing the songs Bell wrote for him. The same year, they released their first album, also\n called Hurricane #1. Their first single, "Step Into My World", number 29 in the UK charts (a re-mix of reached number 19 that year), and other less successful singles "Just Another Illusion" and "Chain Reaction". Their second album, Only The Strongest Will Survive, was released in 1998 and the title track was released as a single reaching number 19.

Hurricane #1 drew criticism, bordering on ridicule, for their similarity to Oasis. Bell himself said "Hurricane #1 is not so much influenced by Oasis, it's inspired by Oasis". Ill-advisedly, they let one of their songs be used on a TV ad campaign for The Sun. Their albums did not sell well and in 1999 Bell took time out to tour as guitarist with the band Gay Dad.

Oasis: Around the same time as Bell was touring with Gay Dad, Oasis were looking for replacements for founding members Bonehead and Guigsy. Bonehead was quickly replaced with fellow Creation signing and former Heavy Stereo frontman Gem Archer. Guigsy proved harder to replace and the video for "Go Let It Out" had to be filmed with Noel on bass, Archer in Noel's role as lead guitarist and Liam in Archers role as rhythm guitarist. Whilst unsuccessfully testing other bass players, Liam Gallagher read in Melody Maker thet Bell had left Hurricane #1 to join Gay Dad. Noel pointed out that Bell didn't play the bass, but Liam convinced him that Bell would make a suitable replacement for Guigsy. Bell jumped on the opportunity to join Oasis but was obliged to learn playing bass and the entire Oasis catalogue before his first Oasis gig at the last minute. As he had no part in performing on Oasis' 1999 album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, he was originally payed the wage of a touring musician – about £85 a night.

Bell is also a member of Oasis' songwriting team, contributing Heathen Chemistry's instrumental "A Quick Peep", Don't Believe the Truth's "Turn Up The Sun", and "Keep the Dream Alive", as well as b-side "Thank You for the Good Times", which appeared on the "Stop Crying Your Heart Out"- single.

As the token southerner, Bell is the butt of many jokes. On stage, during the Familiar to Millions album, in response to the arguing chants of "Noel" and "Liam", Noel Gallagher appealed for the crowds to "fuck all that "Noel" and "Liam" shit. Can I have everybody singing Who the fuck is Andy Bell?". Bell is married to Swedish singer Idha. Together, they have a daughter named Leia. He splits his time between Sweden and London.

He claims to have written the song "Turn Up The Sun" in a forest near his Swedish home, on his own and high on drugs in the middle of the night. The song was the first track on 2005's Don't Believe the Truth and is now used to open their live shows.

Source: Wikpedia

Don't Look Back In Anger

Oasis - The Masterplan From Knebworth Park 1996


























Where were you when we were getting high?"

Ten years ago this week 250,000 Oasis fans were at Knebworth for the band's record-breaking concerts.

In the region of three million people applied for tickets for what was the biggest rock event in this country.

Robbie Williams has since played three nights at the stately home, but Oasis' now legendary Knebworth dates were the highpoint of Britpop and a landmark moment in musical history.

Sports editor Alan Davies and photographer Louisa Emery were among the fans that witnessed the Gallagher brothers, Liam and Noel, rock Knebworth back in August 1996.

Bitterly disappointed to have never seen the Manic Street Preachers as a four piece prior to trading trashy glam chique for their dads' shirts, I was rewarded with a spine-tingling set at Knebworth.

A heartfelt performance from the Charlatans, playing for the first time since the death of keyboard player Rob Collins, had the crowd united in support.

And Dreadzone playing to a not wholly receptive audience put their own unique spin on proceedings.

By the time Oasis took to the stage I had snaked my way out of the crowd and the prospect of battling back in did not appeal.Fortunately a friendly stranger with height on his side offered me his shoulders and I was able to enjoy a bird's eye view of the band.

This was not Oasis at their charismatic best but that did not matter. Being joined by thousands singing along to Whatever in a field in Hertfordshire was an experience never to forget.

THERE was only one place to be on the weekend of August 10-11, 1996 and that was in the middle of a park in Knebworth.

The sights and sounds of Oasis' historic gigs at the stately home 10 years ago will live forever in my mind.

Being confronted by a swaggering Liam Gallagher in the VIP area, having Patsy Kensit save my skin and later chatting backstage with Keith from Prodigy were the abiding memories of the first day.

Day two was a three-hour wait at the beer tent, similar tailbacks for the toilets, thousands of people quite literally mad for it and an obscured view of the stage from what seemed like the next county.

I was lucky enough to witness both Oasis dates at Knebworth, on the Saturday with a press pass for the hospitality area literally yards from the group and on the Sunday amongst the massed ranks stretching back into the distance.

Some might say that the Gallagher brothers' two-night residency at Lord Cobbold's stately pile was the pinnacle of the Britpop era. Oasis certainly haven't scaled those heights since.

The figures speak for themselves. A quarter of a million people paying £22.50 a head to watch the biggest band in the world and a stellar supporting cast, including Manic Street Preachers, Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, The Charlatans and The Beatles (of the Bootleg variety)
.

It wasn't until the second day that the sheer enormity of 125,000 people being crammed into a Hertfordshire field like a herd of cows struck home.

Being privileged enough to mix with the celebs on the Saturday made the following afternoon's record-breaking concert a massive culture shock.

Take nothing away from Oasis. They were good - not the best I've seen them but most definitely not the worst either.

But for the music-loving punter Knebworth was also a bit of a rip-off. Fans couldn't take their own drinks in, yet there was a never-ending queue for refreshments at inflated prices.

The majority of ticket holders had to watch Oasis on video screens miles from the stage, with the band members themselves mere matchstick men on the horizon.

It was almost impossible to get out afterwards with Stevenage train station unable to cope with the numbers trying to get home.

But you gotta roll with it, haven't you? To hear classic anthems such as Wonderwall, Don't Look Back In Anger and Champagne Supernova at the defining musical moment of my generation was worth the money and hassle.

IF I was still toasting teacakes in the garden centre café, I would probably be collecting my P45 about now as I admit I pulled a sickie so I could go and see Oasis at Knebworth.

But when again were the kids of Herts going to have a seminal show like this on their doorstep?

Within half an hour of arriving at the park I had previously only associated with a giant wooden fort, I was sandwiched between a barrier and more people than I had ever previously seen in one place.

And there I remained for the next eight hours.For me it was less about Oasis and more a chance to see so many of the most significant bands of the time, together in one place.

OASIS' KNEBWORTH SET LIST
Columbia
Acquiesce
Supersonic
Hello
Some Might Say
Slide Away
Roll With It
Morning Glory
Round Are Way
Cigarettes & Alcohol
Whatever
Cast No Shadow
Wonderwall
The Masterplan
Don't Look Back In Anger
My Big Mouth
It's Getting Better (Man!)
Live Forever
Champagne Supernova
I Am The Walrus

Source: www.whtimes.co.uk/

Blast From The Past.......

10/08/1996 & 11/08/1996

Ten years ago 250,000 Oasis fans were at Knebworth for the band's record-breaking concerts.

" "This is history! Right here, right now!" For a few rare seconds, Noel Gallagher appears genuinely moved. The mask of nonchalalnce slips for a moment as he looks out on a vast ocean of heads and realises just how huge this thing is. "No it fookin' isn't, yer daft twat, this is Knebworth!"

Liam saves the day again. Bringing the grand gesture crashing down to Earth, he gurns into the camera, swears, and we can all relax and sing the first hymn. "I can't tell you the way I feel because the way I feel is oh so real to me". Exactly. Absolutely meaningless, but we all know exactly what he means. This is beyond rational explanation.

When 120,000 people are feeling the same as you, it's gone beyond rock 'n' roll. Beyond Oasis, beyond Knebworth, and beyond yourself. Whats the ultimate stadium fantasy? The 'Radio Ga Ga' video? England 4 Holland 1? The Beatles at Shea Stadium? Well, at fleeting moments here, that surreal magic hits you. If only because of the size of it, and the collective volume of human emotion filling the air. They can't fail to connect, with universally accessible tunes, simplistic truist sentiments and every populist trick in the book, but who cares when it feels this good?

So let's suppose we've reached the top. It doesn't get any bigger or better than this. Ok, so they don't have any mystique, the shamanistic aura of classic rock stars, the aggressive sexuality of great rock 'n' rollers, the glamour or grace of traditional pop icons, the black music lineage, the radicalism or even the rebel tribal attraction any more. But they make their audience fell pretty damn supernatural, with that anthemic quality they've bottled and sold, that picks you up and makes you walk on air. The ultimate rock 'n' roll supersonic (gin'n') tonic.

'Acquiesce', 'Live Forever', 'Some Might Say', 'Cigarettes & Alcohol', 'Wonderwall', a couple of other great B-Sides that should have been on the album, 'Don't Look Back In Anger' - I don't need to tell you how they went. For the encore, John Squire, rock star from a previous generation, comes onstage to guest on guitar. No one notices, because our own singing has all but drowned out the sound from the stage. There's an impressive fireworks display and we float off home, Champagne Supernovas every one of us.

Is that it, then? Is the feel-good factor the be-all and end-all of rock 'n' roll? Is a nice tune where you can hear the words and sing along with your neighbour all we need anymore? No, maybe it's not such a great idea, our kid. See, if Oasis are approaching the point where, in Britain at least, they're as big as The Beatles, then they're getting less likely by the minute to ever occupy a similarly important place in history.

Oasis' popularity has got to the point where it's perpetuating itself and propelling itself onward. But if they made a 1996 equivalent of 'Sgt Peppers...' tomorrow, their popularity would nosedive. They're not going to, because their inherent conservatism has been completely vindicated at every step. And unlike the Beatles in the '60s, they don't have to find their identity and their soul amid the whirlpool of pop fame, they had it all along. They can only lose them now, or sell them for a song. Or if they've got any sense, they'll help it to evolve in order to survive.

Everyone's given up predicting doom for Oasis, whether through drug blow-outs, sibling splits and backlashes. They'll be the biggest band in Britain for the next five years at least. And they'll be remembered in 20 years' time. Whether that's for a few great tunes buskers play, and a small paragraph in the Guinness Book Of World Records, or for shaking the world, is a question only they can answer. Meanwhile, we'll just carry on singing. All together now."

Source: NME

Listen Up Liam And Noel!

These Are The Tracks We Want To See On Your 'Best Of'

You voted for them, then we got the stars to talk about them.









LIVE FOREVER
Tom, Meighan, Kasabian:
"It's one of the greatest songs ever written. It's so innocent and pure. It's like 'In My Life' by The Beatles. It means the same to me as that [Beatles] song did to people in the past"

Kyle Falconer, The View:
"It was the first song by Oasis that made me realise how good they were, as it really grabbed me by the balls. It was also the first song I learnt to play on the guitar. We didn't go to Knebworth because we were only eight years old at the time! But [bassist] Kieren's first ever concert was Oasis at Loch Lomond. It changed his life."Barry Fratelli:"It's just one of the all-time classic songs, and it defined an entire era. Everything was downhill for Oasis after that song - that's how good it was."








CHAMPAGNE SUPERNOVA
Jamie Cook, Arctic Monkeys:
"It's one of the best final songs on an album ever. That's when we started really getting into music, because they were the only decent British band. We all bought the DVDs and thaught, 'F****n' hell, I wish I were in that band."









SLIDE AWAY
Kate Jackson, The Long Blondes:
"I spent 24 hours on a school bus to Austria in '94 listening to 'Definitely Maybe' and feeling utterly superior to my fellow travellers. I knew I was listening to the coolest band in the world. 'Slide Away' still remains my favourite song on the record."

Jarvis Cocker:
"There's something quite moving about it."









SOME MIGHT SAY
Matthew Gwilt, The Sunshine Underground:
"Not just the single track, but the whole single package. The B-sides ['Acquiesce', 'Talk Tonight' and 'Headshrinker'] were all completely different, but all brilliant. Getting this single inspired me to buy the rest of the singles...and throw a telly out of my mum's bedroom window!"









SHAKERMAKER
Johnny Borrell, Razorlight:
'Shakermaker' was like an explosion when it came out. 'Who is this bloke and why is he singing with such a stupid vpice? Wow!' I was a child and that's how I felt. Real music!"









ROCK 'N' ROLL STAR
Richard Archer, Hard-Fi:
"It was certainly this, the first track off 'Definitely Maybe', which changed my life completely. It made me feel like I was part of something for the first time. Before this album, I was like an outsider looking in, but after it came out I felt like I was part of a musical movement. I was of the age that I actualy felt that I had the ability to do something about it. Just to get involved in some way and maybe, you know, try and do my own thing. I had long hair before that album came out and I think I might have even had my hair cut because of Oasis!"

Tom Smith, Editors:
"I still remember the adrenaline rush 'Rock 'N' Roll Star' gave me. Just ridiculous, pompous; everyting you want to be when you are 15 years old, which is the age that we were when we were listening to those records. I missed out on going to Knebworth, but was really jealous of all the kids who had gone. Imagine being able to see The Prodigy and Oasis in one night. Dammit!"









CIGARETTES & ALCOHOL
Luke Pritchard, The Kooks:
"I used to be a big Oasis fan. 'Cigarettes & Alcohol' has got to be my favourite - it's got an amazing guitar solo."









SUPERSONIC
Alexis Taylor, Hot Chip:
"It made me feel all tough and exited insode. I didn't go to Knebworth but I did get 'Definitely Maybe' signed the day it came out. I remember Liam couldn't spell or understand my name after repeated mutterings, so he just signed it 'To Alex'. Bonehead signed Owen Hot Chip's beer bottle with the slogan 'keep it wide', which we never understood."









WONDERWALL
Kele Okereke, Bloc Party:
"It's the way that Liam sings it. I'm not really a fan of him as a singer, but he sings like a wounded boxer or something. It's really beautiful."

Andrew Stockdale, Wolfmother:
"You can say what you like about Oasis, but at the end of the day they wrote 'Wonderwall'. Post-grunge, no-one knew what to do, and they made music exiting again. Now I'm older I can appreciate them - they're rock stars. They kick ass."









CAST NO SHADOW
Chris Peck, Bot Kill Boy:
"It's a really emotive song - it shows there's a sensitive, grown up-side to them. Oasis captured what was going on in this country at that time for alot of people, musically and socially. At a time when the British music scene had become dull, they were one of the bands that made music exiting again; gave it the edge it needed and made it dangerous for a whole new generation."









ACQUIESCE
Carl Dalemo, Razorlight:
"I saw them play it live without Noel and there was no singing in the choruses, which was wierd. Liam just stood there looking angry. It was in 2000 when Noel wasn't playing and it's a B-side to 'Some Might Say."








MORNING GLORY
Lily Allen:
"I love seeing them live. Liam's performance tactics, are really amusing. '(What's The Story) Morning Glory' was played quite a lot when i was young. It reminds me of my teens, when they summed up British culture."









TALK TONIGHT
Screech, The Long Blondes:
"I remember seeing them on MTV Unplugged when Noel had to do it on his own 'cos Liam had walked out. It then really dawned on me just how good a songwriter Noel was. And it's just 'Some Might Say's B-side!"









THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING IDLE
Carl Barat, Dirty Pretty Things:
"For the one simple reason that being idle is one of my prized character traits."









WHATEVER
Whiskas, Forward, Russia!:
"When Blur did 'Country House', it was a pompous Britpop song that was bad, whereas 'Whatever' was a pompous Britpop song that was good and it wasn't on any album. It was like, 'Let's put a string section in', but it worked."









BRING IT ON DOWN
Ross Millard, The Futureheads:
"I just like the vocal melody. It's a weird choice, I know, but there's just something about it. Oasismania meant a lot because it hit when I was starting to learn how to play the guitar. Let's just say it's very easy to play all of their songs, so they're a great band to learn how to play the guitar to really."








ROUND ARE WAY
Nick Hodgson, Kaiser Cheifs:
"It's off the 'Wonderwall' single and it's brilliant! (Singing) 'Round our way the birds are singing' - that is classic Britpop!"








SHE'S ELECTRIC
Alex Kapranos, Franz Ferdinand:
"It's a good tune. It's impossible to deny they're a good band. They just wrote so many catchy tunes."









ROCKIN' CHAIR
Pete Doherty, Babyshambles:
(Sings an entire verse) "I'm older than I wish to be/This town holds no more for me/All my life I try to find another way/I don't care for your attitute/You bring me down I think your rude/All my life I try to make a better day'. It's just a B-side to 'Roll With It', but it's an inspired song with wicked lyrics and guitar sounds. They've got the lot. And 'Bring It On Down' is a great anthem, too. I was too young to go to Knebworth. And QPR were playing that day in the FA Cup."









STAND BY ME
Eddie Argos, Art Brut:
"People say Oasis lyrics are just nonsense, but the words to this one are really good. I like the line, 'Made a meal and threw it up on Sunday/I've got alot to learn', because it is about when you first leave home and you don't know how to cook and you do everything wrong. We played with them in Germany recently. Liam was at the side of the stage dancing during our set and when we played 'Modern Art' he went 'F****n' 'ell what's this one? Let's f****n' 'ave it!' - thats his favourite song of ours."









PART OF THE QUEUE
Jamie Hornsmith, The Rakes:
"It's an acoustic one that Noel sings and it reminds me of 'Golden Brown' by The Stranglers. It was on the last album, but I don't think it was a single - should've been though."










MARRIED WITH CHILDREN
Preston, The Ordinary Boys:
"Arctic Monkeys and Pete Doherty do it as well now- articulate mundanity. This track is like that - it's really clever, I think they're proper intelligent guys. They know they're acting like funny characters. It's not necessarily accurate, and they appreciate the irony of it."









LITTLE JAMES
Chris Cain, We Are Scientists:
"It's lyrics move me to tears! We all have our favourite part, mine is when he talks about the toys which he likes even though they make noise. Now Noel Gallagher's gonna stab us!"









DON'T GO AWAY
Annie Hardy, Giant Drag:
"I have trouble picking favourites of anything, but that 'Don't Go Away' is pretty sweet."








DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER
Plan B:
"It's a good song to sing when you are pissed out of your head. I went to Wembly to see them once and crowdsurfed straight away, and got thrown out after sitting through hours of The Happy Mondays - then broke back in by shinning up a drainpipe."

Source: NME