Bad Boy Of Britpop Is Hitting 40 Landmark

They say life begins at 40 ...but Britpop bad boy Noel Gallagher has already had one few could even dream of.

Tomorrow the Oasis frontman celebrates the big 4-0 after partying with brother Liam, Paul Weller and David Walliams at the weekend.

Noel didn't come dressed as Stalin as he'd threatened, nor did he top Elton John's lavish 60th-birthday celebrations with a tyrants and despots night as he'd claimed.

But then it seems Noel is more talk than action nowadays.

He's too busy enjoying his millions and is most often spotted shopping with pregnant girlfriend Sarah MacDonald, not staggering out of clubs.

He once wrote of Cigarettes And Alcohol but says he'll cut back his smoking when he turns 40 and is happier with aslower pace, penning the middle-age anthem The Importance Of Being Idle.

NME calls him "the wisest man in rock", but it has to be said Noel doesn't rock as much as he used to.

While brother Liam continues to act daft, the pair are shadows of their former hell-raising selves.

As Noel eases into middleage, he can be proud of influencing a new generation of guitar bands, including Arctic Monkeys, The Killers and Dundee outfit The View.

After he invited The View to support a solo gig for the Teenage Cancer Trust, guitarist Peter Reilly said: "Oasis are the reason we are in aband, so it's an absolute privilege".

With acoustic shows and an Outstanding Contribution To Music Award at this year's Brits, Noel is trading on his past glories.

And he knows it. Before the Brits, he said: "We're finally up there with the Eurythmics, Sting and Bob Geldof. So I'm not sure that congratulations are in order."

Back in the Nineties, Noel didn't invent Britpop but he certainly became its godfather.

After Suede and Blur created Britain's anti-grunge answer to American bands such as Nirvana, Oasis became its undoubted stars.

Noel, the middle of three Manchester brothers, was often beaten by his alcoholic dad.

Liam called him "the weirdo in the family" and, after some dead end jobs, he auditioned to be the singer for Inspiral Carpets in 1988. He didn't get it but was hired as a guitar technician, returning in 1992 from an American tour to find his brother Liam was lead singer of local band The Rain.

Noel joined the group and as Oasis they were discovered by Scots label boss Alan McGee at King Tut's in Glasgow. The rest, as they say, is history. Oasis made music both teenagers and dads could enjoy.

It brought people together like no other rock music in the Nineties, as anyone who was at their Loch Lomond gig will testify.

Noel and Liam claimed they were the biggest band in the world. They were arrogant, foul-mouthed, drug taking, working-class louts.

Claiming he sprinkled cocaine on his cornflakes, Noel said he hoped Britpop rivals Damon Albarn and Alex James of Blur would "catch Aids and die".

When they released third album Be Here Now in 1997, it became the UK's fastest selling long-player.

A month before, Noel and former wife Meg had been invited by Tony Blair to an official reception at No.10. With Blair about to quit as PM, his legacy mired in Iraq, what of Noel's legacy?

While Oasis failed to break America, they have been a major influence on many new acts, the biggest being Arctic Monkeys.

"When I first met them, they came into our dressing room and Alex was saying he got a guitar because of Oasis," said Noel.

"So I asked him how old he was when Definitely Maybe came out.

"He was nine. That f*****g bent my head."

Source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk

Rocker Noel's 40 But Nice

Noel Gallagher marked his birthday with a good old-fashioned northern knees-up.

The Oasis star, who turns 40 tomorrow, invited pals and family to posh club Kitts at London’s Sloane Square on Saturday.

He and his missus Sara MacDonald left at 3am trailed by staff laden with bags of gifts while Liam flexed his muscles at photographers.

Paul Weller Arctic Monkey Alex Turner, David Walliams, Stereophonics’ Kelly Jones and all Kasabian were out on the lash too.

Now there’s a line-up likely to run up an epic bar bill . . .

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Noel Plans Trick... And Bottles It

How about Liam Gallagher dressed up as Little Bo Peep? Or one of the Village People, an 18th-century dandy, or even a Superman.

All of these wonderful images have been denied to us by his brother Noel who, so far as I can tell, has bottled it.

Now you know all know I want Noel to enter politics, and that I have the upmost respect for the man, but I fear his softer side is starting to show.

last month, he hatched up a cunning plan to stich Liam up by announcing his 40th birthday party would be a fancy dress affair.

I'm told: "The idea was everyone would turn up at a swank club in London in their ordinary gear and Liam would be the only one not let in on the joke.

"He'd arrive wearing something soft and be a laughing stock."

I rejoiced and threw a small party in my heart.

The elder Oasis sibling, Kasabian and Russell Brand staggering around London with a furious Liam dressed as a girl would yield some of the best pictures of the year.

All right, so Brand looks like a goth Jesus with flu anyway, but you get the idea.

Sadly, big hearted Noel took pity.

My source added: "He has decided against it. Liam probably wouldn't have reacted very well."

The lads were due out celebrating last night.

Source: Sunday Star

Liam Gallagher 'Gutted' Not To Have Appeared On The F Word

Liam Gallagher is "gutted" he didn't star on Gordon Rasmay's TV show The F Word.

The Oasis star, 34, is a big fan of the series.

We're told: "liam fancied having a go on the show."

We can't think of anything better than going head-to-head with Ramsay, 40.

Source: Daily Star

Oasis At Glastonbury After All

Lucky Oasis fans at Glastonbury Festival will be amongst the first to have a chance to see the full-length (94 minute) version of the band’s documentary tour film, “Lord Don’t Slow Me Down”, when it is screened at 2am on Sunday 24th June on the massive outdoor screen on the festival site.

“Lord Don’t Slow Me Down” was directed by renowned promo director Baillie Walsh, and compiled from a year’s filming with the band on their mammoth “Don’t Believe The Truth” world tour 2005/6. It follows one of the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands behind the scenes and in front of the fans, across the globe. With unique access to the band throughout the tour, “Lord Don’t Slow Me Down” is the ultimate Oasis documentary and a must see for fans.

This will be one of the only opportunities this year to see the film prior to its release later this year on dvd, and the next best thing to having the band play live at the festival.

Source: www.oasisinet.com

Happy Birthday Alan White

Alan White, born 26 May 1972, in Eltham, South London, is an English drummer. He was the drummer of English rock group Oasis between 1995 and 2004.

Before Oasis (1987-1994)

Alan White was a highly regarded studio drummer before joining Oasis. In 1987 he joined future Oasis member Gem Archer's band Whirlpool."He came down and just blew us all away," remembers Archer [1].. "I thought he was mega but the others were worried what a 15-years-old kid on the road and on the lager would be like. I rang his dad and told him: 'Sorry. But don't worry he's fantastic. He'll go all the way.' And he did. It was the weirdest day when he welcomed me to Oasis. And he hasn't let me forget it." White also played drums on Andy Bell's wife's solo album, forming a connection with another future Oasis member. Prior to joining Oasis, White drummed with London-based band Starclub.

White's brother, Steve White had played with Paul Weller's Style Council and various other famous musicians, including The Who. Because of this famous connection, Alan mentioned that Steve impacted greatly his development as a drummer. His other influences include Ringo Starr, Chad Smith, Mick Avory, and John Bonham.

White replaced original Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll in May 1995 and was immediately "thrown in the deep end", joining the band the very next day to perform a playback of Some Might Say in front of a national TV audience on BBC1's long running music programme Top of The Pops. One of White's first live shows with Oasis was in front of a massive crowd at the Glastonbury Festival in June 1995.

Until the arrival of Gem Archer and Andy Bell in the Autumn of 1999, White was the token southerner in the otherwise Mancunian Oasis. Initially known, inventively, as 'Whitey', he was later re-christened 'Dave' by the band because he once served himself a drink from an unattended bar, therefore resembling the character Dave from "The Winchester" in the '70s TV series Minder. White commented on the "North/South divide" saying it was not that bad, but "for ages I was the 'Cockney cunt' and they were the 'Manc fuckers'". In his book "What's the Story?" Ian Robertson stated that White was also known by the phrase "Alan White - He's alright".

Oasis Career (1995-2004)

White was also entrusted with the job of being Liam Gallagher's 'official' drinking partner and was also said to be his best friend in the band. Together the pair were known as 'Bert and Ernie', named after the Sesame Street-characters. In December 2002 Liam and White were involved in a high-profile brawl in a German bar. Consequently, Liam lost some of his front teeth and was arrested by the authorities. Alan, however, was inebriated and had a brain scan in a hospital afterwards after suffering minor head injuries.

Noel has stated that Alan had a far greater significance to the band than a mere session and touring drummer, claiming that he helped immensely in the recording process[citation needed]. Noel also said that when he wrote a song he would play it to White who would often adapt the rhythm of the song or advise Gallagher on possible changes in the tempo.[citation needed] However, his style has been criticised for contributing to some of the bands more overblown moments, which earned Oasis' 1997 Be Here Now and 2000 Standing on the Shoulder of Giants a critical panning.

At the time of his departure White was the longest serving member in Oasis beside the Gallaghers and passed through thin and thick with the band. He had supported the act from their years of glory during the Britpop hysteria and to their fall-out at the end of the decade. Although that longtime performers Paul McGuigan and Paul Arthurs quit the band during times of pressure, he decided to stay on with the band. The Gallaghers, for their part, have referred to White as the "best fucking drummer" they've ever played with.

Alan performed on 4 of Oasis' 6 studio albums: (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), Be Here Now (1997), Standing on the Shoulder of Giants (2000) and Heathen Chemistry (2002). He also played on the majority of band's b-sides, some of which were released on the b-side record The Masterplan (1998).

White married model Liz Atkins on 13 August 1997 at Studley Priory Hotel, Oxfordshire. He had met her on the set of the "Don't Look Back in Anger" music video. The couple divorced in 2000.

Departure From Oasis

In early 2004, White surprisingly left Oasis during the early recording sessions for the band's sixth album. According to Oasis' spokesperson there were some new tracks and demos with White's performance as well, which were made at the end 2003 and early 2004 at the first sessions for their upcoming album, before his surprising departure. Due to his departure, the band scrapped the first midway sessions and later suffered some prolonged and difficult recording for Don't Believe the Truth (2005).

In a recent interview, Noel also alluded to White's personal problems: "He's a fucking great guy and he's one of the best drummers I've ever met in my life, but his personal life is fucking chaos," a possible reference to White's alleged romantic woes.

The rumours surrounding White's departure, either revolved around his past tendonitis problem or the false accusations of his leaking Heathen Chemistry. Amidst all the turmoil, Steve White, Alan's brother, explained to a fan in early 2005 that his brother was just tired and didn't want to be in Oasis anymore, so he left to patch up his relationship with his girlfriend; "The spirit of being in a band was kicked out of him." However, Steve reassured the Oasis fan that his brother was in a good mood and condition and hinted that Alan possibly can continue his drumming – "Perhaps some time soon, but he is very happy and very healthy and keeping very well". He currently resides in the Chicago suburbs with the love of his life, Christine.

White was replaced with Zak Starkey – The Who drummer and the son of The Beatles' legend Ringo Starr. Ringo particularly was cited as one of White's biggest drumming influences.

In March 2007, the remaining members of Oasis paid White £348,000 to buy him out of their company "Definitely Maybe", in order to free place for Zak Starkey as an official drummer and member of the band.

Post-Oasis

For his part, White has kept a low profile since his departure, excluding a statement to a drumming site, where he said that the tendonitis rumours are "utter shit" and that the reasons are others. As of January 2007, 3 years after his departure of the band, White has remained out of the spotlight and he has no familiar drumming occupations at the moment.

His brother Steve has explained a couple of times in his website that Alan "is just having a nice time, he has pursued other interests in business. At the moment he has no plans at the minute to get behind the drums, his departure from the band left him with the feeling that the music business is full of bullshit and bullshitters."

Source: Wikipedia

Queen Dreamers

Queen have topped a list of bands people Wish they had been in.

The Bohemian Rhapsody rockers fronted by the late Freddie Mercury beat The Beatles into second place.

In the poll of 1,000 people by bar chain Walkabout, most said the buzz of a live show would be the best thing about being in a band. But only 29 per cent wanted to be lead singer.

Top 10:
01. Queen
02. The Beatles
03. Pink Floyd
04. The Spice Girls
05. The Sugababes
06. U2
07. Take That
08. The Jam
09. Rolling Stones
10. Oasis

Source: www.mirror.co.uk

Meet The Hair Scare Bunch

It locks like a bad day for showbiz haircuts with a host of celebs spotted with dodgy barnets.

First up is singer Amy Winehouse who looks even more like cartoon character Marge Simpson than normal with her freshly- groomed beehive.

In fact, her hairdo looks so large I reckon she could be stashing something under it.

Perhaps that is where Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's Yorkshire terrier is hiding.

Or maybe she is keeping her missing tooth in there until she is sober enough to visit a dentist?

Meanwhile, Oasis singer Liam Gallagher was showing off a lank new style that make him look like Cousin Itt from TV show The Addams Family.

And in a promotional still from Ocean’s Thirteen – premiering in Cannes tonight – actor Brad Pitt seems to be trying to look like ex Jennifer Aniston with his girly, centre-parted hairstyle.

They all need to brush up on their haircare . . .

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Wonderbrawl

Roo climbs in the ring with footie rival Noel

Football ace Wayne Rooney is facing a wonderbrawl with Oasis legend Noel Gallagher in the boxing ring.

The sworn soccer enemies will each carry title belts for world champ Ricky Hatton when he fights in Las vegas next month.

Manchester United star Wayne, 21, and guitarist Noel, 39, are both massive fans of ring king Ricky, 28.

They leapt at the chance to accompany him into the ring for his IBO light welterweight fight against Mexico's Jose Luis Casillo on June 23.

But rivalry could flare between United striker Wayne and Manchester City fan Noel.

"We hope the main fight takes place inside the ring and doesn't involve Wayne or Noel," said a boxing insider.

They are both passionate about their clubs and neither has a reputation for backing down. We're relying on the fact they'll put their football rivalry aside.

"Ricky himself is a massive City fan but really appreciates the backing he gets from the United team."

And Wayne can rely on the support of his team mates Rio Ferdinand, 28, John O'Shea,26 and Wes brown, 27, who will be in the audience for the fight.

Source: Daily Star

Rock Of The Town

VH-1 experts will decide this weekend which UK city is the best for music.

It doesn't matter whether it's Franz Ferdinand, Travis or Darius, everybody loves to see a star act from their home town doing well.

But this weekend the argument over which city is the rock capital of the UK will be settled.

Eight locations across Britain and Ireland are doing battle in a head-to-head contest on VH-1.

Glasgow, home to Travis, Wet, Wet, Wet, Simple Minds among others, is the only Scottish contender in the VH1 Nation's Favourite Music City and is taking on Birmingham, Dublin, London, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Blackwood and surrounding areas in Wales.

Experts will compare the success of artists and calculate the winning location by seeing which city's stars have amassed the most No.1s in the last 20 years. Here is a guide to the country's most successful rock cities

GLASGOW

AS the only Scottish representative, we need to hope that the combined skills of Darius, Michelle McManus and Wet Wet Wet take Glasgow over the top.

With two of the best live venues - King Tut's Wah Wah Hut and The Barrowland Ballroom - Glasgow has a proud tradition of rocking out and is in with a decent shout.

Primal Scream, Fairground Attraction, Edwyn Collins, The Bluebells, The Fratellis, Franz Ferdinand, Simple Minds, Texas, Altered Images, Travis and Belle and Sebastian all hail from Glasgow. While Lanarkshire acts like Soup Dragons and The Jesus and Mary Chain get a shout and Paisley's Paolo Nutini and Gerry Rafferty are included by proximity.

Former Altered Images singer Clare Grogan said: "I've got a soft spot for all the Glasgow jangley guitar types - Orange Juice, Aztec Camera, Franz Ferdinand and new band BriColage.

"Music is a way of life in Glasgow."

DUBLIN

The Irish capital has had a huge influence on music in the British Isles and around the world, enjoying some incredible chart-topping acts, as well as a seeming monopoly on clean-cut boy-band stars.

U2 are the worldwide kings of rock 'n' roll, while Sinead O' Connor, The Corrs, Samantha Mumba, and even Enya have all done well.

In terms of manufactured pop acts, the Fair City is also home to B*Witched, Boyzone, Westlife and solo efforts from Ronan Keating and Brian McFadden.

Boyzone's Shane Lynch said: "I think Dublin should be crowned the nation's favourite music city because of the large amount of bands that have been successful worldwide."

LIVERPOOL

If it was a poll of all-time number one stars, then Liverpool would be the clear winner thanks to the Fab Four.

But since The Beatles are no longer with us, it's down to the more modern Liverpool-born pop stars to carry on the proud tradition.

Atomic Kitten, Sonia, The La's, The Farm, The Zutons, Lightning Seeds, OMD and Melanie C are all flying the Merseyside flag.

Ex-Atomic Kitten singer Liz McClarnon said: "We have had more Number Ones (56 to be precise) than any other city in the world."

MANCHESTER

The rivalry between the two major cities of north-west England will be fuelled here.

Oasis have been the biggest Manchester band for the last 10 years but the entire Madchester sound will be able to stick their oar in as well.

The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Black Grape, The Smiths, Morrissey, New Order, James, Simply Red, Take That and Joy Division are some of its top acts.

SHEFFIELD

THE former steel capital has become a bit of an indie rock hotspot in recent years as home to uber hip rockers Arctic Monkeys.

They are following in the footsteps of Pulp, Moloko, Def Leppard, Joe Cocker, Heaven 17 and Human League.

Human League's Susan Sulley said: "Sheffield has diversity, vibrancy and good old solid northern working class that makes people stand up and listen. From the 60s to now, and every decade in between, we make music like our steel, strong and it stands the test of time."

BLACKWOOD (WALES)

Blackwood is being highlighted for the vote as it's the home town of Manic Street Preachers. But as Welsh pop acts are so spread around, all bands from Wales are also being considered under the umbrella entry. So as well as the Manics, the success of Catatonia, Tom Jones, the Stereophonics, Goldie Lookin' Chain, Feeder, Super Furry Animals and The Automatic can also be counted as the experts consider the success of our Celtic cousins.

LONDON

As one of the biggest, busiest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world, London has also spawned countless generations of great popstars. Classic acts like David Bowie, The Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Who all hail from London, while the last two decades have seen hits from bands and singers like Sugababes, East 17, Blur, Madness and Lily Allen.

Blur's Alex James said: "I think London should be crowned the nation's favourite music city because it's obvious."

BIRMINGHAM

As the second largest city in the UK, the Midlands metropolis has produced a pretty diverse batch of musicians over the years, from reggae to pop, heavy metal to dance. Duran Duran, Jamelia, Ozzy Osbourne and his band Black Sabbath, The Streets, Ocean Colour Scene, The Wonder Stuff and UB40 are just some of their favourite sons. Miles Hunt of The Wonderstuff argues their case: "I think Birmingham should be crowned the nation's favourite music city because we didn't pollute the world with the God awful B**tles."

The Nation's Favourite Music City is on VH1, Saturday, May 26, at 7pm.

Source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk

Q Radio Presents Oasis

Tune into Stadium Q 9pm on 27 May to hear the band recorded live in concert on the There And Then tour. Q Radio available at

Freeview 716, Virgin Media 878, Sky 0181 and www.home.q4music.com

Did You Know

Johnny Depp twice recorded with British band Oasis. Most notably, he plays lead slide guitar on the track Fade In-Out, from the 1997 album Be Here Now. Noel Gallagher, Oasis's lead guitarist, was allegedly too drunk to perform it himself, so celebrity pal Depp stepped in and nailed the lead on one take.

Depp currently plays in a band called P.

Source: www.gulf-daily-news.com

A Bit Blunt, Noel..

He's 40 next week but there's no sign of Noel Gallagher mellowing with age.

The Oasis rocker has blasted James Blunt, saying he wants to see his head on a plate!

Grumpy Noel launched his attack after being handed a birthday present on the latest edition of the Soccer AM TV show.

As he tore off the pressie's wrapping, Noel said: "It's not James Blunt's head is it? I hope it is."

Much to the star's disappointment, the gift turned out to be a Manchester City FC jacket, prompting him to exclaim, "Aw, b***er."

James Blunt was probably quite relieved though...

Source: www.mirror.co.uk

Bonehead's Latest Outing

Wednesday 31st October
'The Tony Hancock of Pop' - Uncut Magazine

Vinny Peculiar & His Band featuring Bonehead (Oasis), Mike Joyce (The Smiths, PIL, The Buzzcocks) & Ben Knott (Jeep)
Advance Ticket Price: £8.00 (Door Price: £9.00)
+ Support

The Art of songwriting is not dead yet, A must see for all true music lovers !

Vinny Peculiar is the sobriquet for one Alan Wilkes, a Bromsgrove-born, Manchester based singer-songwriter, who writes expertly crafted vignettes of the ironies, agonies and ecstasies of every day existence.Vinny has toured with British Sea Power, Malcolm Middleton and Edwyn Collins and is a regular compere on the Glastonbury Acoustic Stage. Vinny was crowned ‘the Tony Hancock of pop' by UNCUT MAGAZINE and was Artist in Residence at last years Cathedral Arts Festival in Belfast where he where he met Bill Drummond of KLF fame. They have subsequently gone on to collaborate on Bill's infamous SOUP Runs.

Vinny hails from the Worcestershire village of Catshill, a suburban hamlet some fifteen miles south of Birmingham'

Click here for more information.

Source: www.therobintickets.co.uk

Bonehead On BBC News North West Tonight

See what Paul (Bonehead) Arthurs is upto, judging an air guitar competition for the local news channel and promoting his new Radio show he co-hosts with Terry Christian on BBC Radio Manchester.

Click Here

Thanks to jono5525 for the video

Serge Pizzorno Takes Up Noel Gallagher's Booze Challenge

Serge Pizzorno drove for fours hours to take up Noel Gallagher's booze challenge – and try to win top spot in my Caners League. The Kasabian star, in Preston for Radio1’s Big Weekend, met Noel at a London bar on Saturday.

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Vintage Pete Doherty Video Surfaces

He was in the queue to buy the new Oasis album and is a fresh-faced, eloquent, adorable creature in this video.

It's just kind of touching to see how the reporter is completely in love with a young, gum-chewing Pete Doherty.

Watch the video here.

Source: Shoutmouth

No Cigarettes Just Alcohol

Oasis star Liam Gallagher is keen to quit smoking.

He said "I became hooked as a teenager and now with it being banned across the UK, I'm trying hard to quit.

But it's hard, man, when everyone around youu in the music industry is smoking away."

Source: Daily Star Sunday

Noel Gallagher Confirms 'There Is No Solo Album'

Noel won't be releasing any solo material in the near future Oasis talisman and rock 'n' roll legend Noel Gallagher has confirmed that any talk of a solo album is false.

His band posted a statement refuting any speculation soon after rumours circulated that the co-frontman was set to go it alone.

But Gallagher saw fit to rubbish the speculation once again while making a guest appearance on the Sky Sports show Soccer AM.

"I only mention it to get Liam [Gallagher, Noel's brother] going," Gallagher said to a question related to apparent admissions on his behalf that a solo record was in the pipeline.

Noel then joked that should he ever turn solo, he would be working on a clothing range and a scent in double-quick time.

The musician also noted that writing for Oasis' new album was well underway and that he had "written a couple of belters" for the new record.

"My songs are amazing," Gallagher said, in a rather tongue-in-cheek reference to the other band member's tracks.

The band's last album, Don't Believe the Truth, included a number of songs written by other members of the band, such as frontman Liam, guitarist Gem Archer and fellow band member Andy Bell.

Source: www.inthenews.co.uk

Videos Of Noel Gallagher On Soccer AM Today

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
videos from todays show from youtube

Thanks to Kublacan for the videos.