Liam Gallagher Wants To Record Next Oasis Album In London

Liam Gallagher wants to record the next Oasis album in London - so he can be near his children.
The one-time hellraiser is ready to start work on the band's seventh studio effort with producer Dave Sardy - who helmed 2005's critically acclaimed 'Don't Believe The Truth.'

However, Liam, 34, isn't prepared to decamp to Sardy's Los Angeles studio like the band did last time, because he can't be apart from his kids, seven-year-old Lennon, Gene, six, and Molly, 10

He told Britain's Daily Star newspaper, "We want to do the record in London, because of the kids, you know? But we're getting started as soon as Sardy finishes what he's working on."

Lennon is Liam's son with ex-wife Patsy Kensit, Gene's mother is the rocker' s fiancée Nicole Appleton, while daughter Molly was conceived after Liam had a brief fling with British singer Lisa Moorish - who also has son Estile with Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty.

Liam's brother Noel and his girlfriend Sara MacDonald are currently expecting their first child together, due in September. The 40-year-old guitarist already has a seven-year-old daughter, Anais, with ex-wife Meg Matthews.

Noel has previously insisted there will be no new Oasis album in 2007, because he wants to prepare for his new arrival.

He said, "It definitely won't be out this year, although I think it will get started.

Source: www.azcentral.com

Pictures Of Liam Gallagher At John Squire's Art Exhibition

Some pictures from the opening of a new art exhibition by Stone Roses legend John Squire.

Source: Oasis Fanatic

The Making Of....Don't Look Back In Anger By Oasis

How Noel Gallagher's 1996 Lennon-loving No1 fuelled the brothers' simmering rivalry and became the new yardstick for British stadium rock.

Fact File
Written By Noel Gallagher
Performers Noel Gallagher (Vocals, lead guitar), Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs (rhythn guitar, piano), Paul McGuigan (bass), Alan White (Drums)
Recorded at Rockfield Studios, South Wales
Produced by Owen Morris and Noel Gallagher
Released as a single February 19, 1996
Highest UK chart position 1
Highest US chart position 55

By September 1994, Oasis led the mood of the times. Definitely Maybe was the fastest-selling British debut album in history. Liam and Noel's fractious relationship was gleefully chronicled in the tabloids, while their ferocious consumption of drugs and alcohol chimed with Britpop's most hedonistic urges. How do you follow that?

Regrouping in early '95 - after a few disastrous, fight-stewn US dates - they recorded their first No 1 single "Some Might Say". A month later, Noel led the band into Rockfield studios to record songs for their second album (What's The Story) Morning Glory?

Overseen by New Order engineer Owen Morris, Noel promised an LP big on choruses. On the forth day, they cut "Don't Look Back In Anger", Noel's attempt to capture the vibe of Weller's Stanley Roadbookend "Wings Of Speed".

But as with much of Oasis' best work, the influence was more Lennon. The piano intro came via "Imagine", while he admitted pinching lines from bootleg recordings of Lennon's memoirs. One of the tapes, apparently from a batch originally stolen from the Dakota building, found Lennon talking about "Trying to start a revolution from my bed, because they said the brains I had went to my head."

Released in February 1996, "Don't Look Back In Anger" was the forth single lifted from What's The Story Morning Glory... Vast hands aloft rock'n'roll, it gave Oasis their second and became their biggest-selling single ever, a crossover hit that you could hear played everywhere from student discos to the white-stiletto-packed clubs of streatham.

And fueling the sibling rivalry between the Gallaghers, it's Noel who sang it. "It's our most famous song," saysNoel today. "Which must do Liam's head in..."

Rob Hughes










Noel Gallagher
Lyrics, Vocals and Guitar

We were in Paris playing with The Verve, and I had the chords for that song, and I'd started writing it. We were due to play two days later. Our first-ever big arena gig, it's called Sheffield Arena now. At the soundcheck, I was strumming away on the acoustic guitar, and our kid said, "What's that you're f**king singing, I wasn't singing anyway, I was just making it up. And our kid said "Are you singing 'So Sally can't wait'?" And I was like f**king hell that's genius!

I remember going back to the dressing room, [The title] "Don't Look Back In Anger" just popped out. We wrote the words out in the dressing room, and we actually played it that night. In front of like, f**king 18,000 people. On acoustic guitar. Sat on a stool. Like an idiot. I never f**king do that now.

When we were coming off recording "Wonderwall" and "Don't Look Back In Anger", I was originally gonna sing "Wonderwall", and Liam said, "I wanna sing it!" And I was like, "I'm singing one of them so taake your f**king pick." He chose "Wonderwall" and I chose the other one. then it came out as a single. And on that [BBC TV] series Our Friends In The North - the last ever one where they all meet up, when they're all older and have all got kids and they're all alcoholics - that was the music over the end credits. And I still haven't seen that episode, but loads of people have come up to me, saying "Man, it was so f**king powerful."

And it kinda took on a life of it's own after that. It took over from "Wonderwall" in England as our most famous song. And it's the biggest song of the night now, when we play it live. Which must do Liam's head in - as he doesn't get to sing it - but it makes me feel pretty good.

If Andy [Bell, Oasis' bassist] call's "Cigarettes And Alcohol" the British national anthem, then "Don't Look Back In Anger" is the one where every f**king body will sing at an Oasis gig, particularly the first chorus.

When I went to see Ian Brown a couple of years ago in some forest, this girl, a complete stranger, came up to us. We were all completely trolleyed and she said "You know 'Don't Look Back In Anger'. You know the girl, Sally is about [Stone Roses'] 'Sally Cinnamon'? And she had this whole f**king theory, how Sally had left her love letters on the bus. She came out with this f**king elaborate story, and it all made perfect sense. I was like, f**king hell, that is genius! I wish I'd thought of that before the song came out.

Owen Morris
Producer

Going into record (What's The Story) Morning Glory?, Noel said the album would be all about big choruses. I Think that "Don't Look Back In Anger", along with "Wonderwall, "Champagne Supernova" and "Morning Glory" are where he really did that. The atmosphere was fantastic going into the album.

Everyone wanted to be there and was doing it for the right reasons. The first week was one of my favourite sessions ever. We recorded and completed a track a day. On the Monday we did "Roll With It", on Tuesday we did "Hello", Wednesday we did "Wonderwall", Thursday we did "Don't Look Back In Anger" and on Friday we did "Champagne Supernova".

We partied on Saturday. Liam brought back everyone from the pub in Monmouth [actually the four piece band Cable], and the band split up for a couple of weeks on Sunday.

For "Don't Look Back In Anger", Noel put a guide acoustic and vocal down to a click track. Alan played along and got his drums within two or three takes. It was all very matter-of-fact. Noel gave Liam the choice of singing "Wonderwall" or "Don't Look Back In Anger", and Liam chose "Wonderwall". So "Don't Look Back In Anger" became Noel's. At the time, I wasn't sure if it was the right decision, but it absolutely became Noel's song. I think it always works better live than it did on record. It's just got the greatest sing-along chorus.

The person in the studio who was most excited by the songs was Noel's guitar roadie, the legendry Mr Jason Rhodes. He was convinced it was Oasis' best song. I think the happiest part of recording the song was when we did the sing-along backing vocals on the last chorus, and Jason proudly led the drunken crowd.

Sonically, like the rest of Morning Glory, 'Don't Look Back In Anger' is pretty ropey. I was recording things very basically. Alan had some dodgy old drum kit. We got away with it because of the quality of the songwriting and the conviction in the singing and guitar playing. It's not a recording I've ever listened to and could claim to be proud of the 'production,.

I guess it was the biggest single because Oasis were on such a roll by then. People were buying the singles for the B-sides> On "Wonderwall", the previous single, we'd put "The Masterplan". I can't remember what's on "Don't Look Back In Anger"[it's "Step Out"], but I think we'd peaked with the B-sides then.









Alan McGee
Creation Records MD

At that point, after Oasis had sold three or four million Definitely Maybes, we just put them in the studio. And we got "Don't Look Back In Anger" back. I'm not sure if his songwriting around the time of ...Morning Glory had evolved as such, because he'd always written great songs. For example, "Live Forever" is unbeatable, too. You could go on and on. But "Don't Look Back In Anger" is the best-ever Oasis song.

In the last 25 years, there have been three genius songwriters: Noel Gallagher, Elliott Smith and Sean Lennon. I worked with Noel for six or seven years and if it's marks out of ten, then he's a 12. As the years go on, I love his voice more and more. But "Don't Look Back In Anger" is the ultimate song. What's genius about that song is that there's a descending chord change as the vocals keep accelerating up.And that's the brilliance of the anthemic chorus.

I didn't want to carry on with Creation Records and that's why I started Poptones. I wanted to get back into managing bands again. But it was never anything to do with Oasis. I'd come to the end of the decade and wanted to change my life. But if I regret anything, it's not working with Noel. the guy has f**king genius in his genes, if you know what I mean. Whenever I DJ the one Oasis song I always play is "Don't Look Back In Anger".

It was a shame that my relationship with Noel wasn't quite what it had been when they were making that record. But I suppose it was inevitable. I had cleaned up while he carried on partying. We were going down different roads. But you know what? We're in a really good place with each other now. We don't see each other much, but we send each other texts every so often.

Our relationship is as good as it can be. it's not like we were ever huge friends - we never had anything to fall out over - but music-wise. I've got two hundred-and-f**king fifty-per cent respect for the man.

He is a songwriting genius and I love great talent.

Source: Uncut

Roses Legend Gives Up Music

He admits he's barely strummed a guitar in the past year, but who needs rock 'n' roll when you can take the art world by storm instead?

Former Stone Roses legend John Squire unveiled his new artwork this week to critical and commercial acclaim.

I hear that just a day after the launch he's already sold more than half of his collection - with pieces ranging from £2,000 up to £28,000.

And John tells me he's enjoying his art so much that he's now shelved - for good - any more music projects.

He says: "Music and art are both disciplines that fulfil the same need, that is the need to create. I get the same buzz from creating a successful painting as writing a great song - it comes from the same place.

"But music has been put to one side for good. I'm enjoying this far too much to go back to music."

Hmm, rather scuppers any idea of a future Stone Roses reunion - of which he says: "A reunion is highly unlikely. I'd have to stop painting and that's just not in my plans."

Stars including fellow Manc music legend Liam Gallagher (pictured with John) and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver attended the glittering private viewing of John's brushwork at the Smithfield Gallery in London.

Jamie - a huge Stone Roses' fan - was among those snapping up pieces from the collection.

However, poor old Liam was bemoaning the fact that he wanted to buy a painting but his 'missus', All Saints singer Nicole Appleton, had banned him from buying any more art.

John tells me: "Liam's favourite painting was one called The Year of the Pig but he said he couldn't buy it because Nicole would kill him and they need a new kitchen."

John's artwork first came to prominence through the iconic album covers of the late 1980s and early '90s. His new works, created over the past three years, show a departure from past styles, working on large-scale canvases and built up of layers of plaster, sand, glue and oil paint.

John, who still lives in the region, has his own art studio in a converted outbuilding in the farm he lives on with his wife and children.

He's busy creating a whole raft of new artworks for a second London exhibition later in the year. He laughs: "I've got to take the kids to Portugal and do 30 paintings before September so I'd better get my skates on."

Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Liam Lays Down The Law

...Sweetly to our Kim

Liam Gallagher has asked me to boot the behinds of Boy Kill Boy as they are halting work on the new Oasis album.

I chatted with the singer over a glass of wine where I told him Boy Kill Boy are laying down the follow-up to Civilian in producer Dave Sardy's LA Studio.

Liam, 34, confirmed - as I told you last month - that Sardy, who made the last Oasis record, 2005's Don't Believe The Truth, will be back on board again.

He laughed: "Well, kick their a*se and tell 'em to get a f***in' move on, like."

In their heyday Oasis would record more than slightly the worse for wear and drink and drugs benders.

Now family man Liam is more concerned about not being away from "our Kids".

He said: "We're getting started with Sardy as soon as he finishes what he's working on."

As we spoke at the Smithfield Gallery in London, where former Stone Roses ace John Squire, 44, was showing an exhibition of his paintings, I remarked it would be nice to swap the torrential rain sweeping Britain for the LA sunshine.

Sardy prefers to work in his own studio and along with Boy Kill Boy he has had Jet and Wolfmother through the doors.

Liam added: "We want to do the record in London; we have the kids y'know."

Along with Liam's nippers, Gene, six, Lennon, seven and Molly, 10, brother Noel has Anais, eight, and his girlfriend Sara MacDonald, 31, is pregnant with their first child together.

Surely making an album is much more preferable when there's the lure of a private pool to dip into between sessions?

Liam chuckled: "If we did, I'd be by the pool all the time, man. They'd say: 'Liam, come and do this vocal' and I'd like: 'Put some more suntan lotion on me back. I'm sure gettin' brown first'."

Even in this job it's not every day I get to talk to a proper rock and roll legend like Liam and he was the coolest I've met.

Charming and funny, he was equally as charismatic in the flesh as he is when he is on stage.

before arriving at the gallery we had a drink at a nearby pub where Liam posed for a photo with a fan.

The guy was overwhelmed and to break the anxiety Liam grabbed his bum - the result was a picture that will impress his mates.

I told Liam I'm more of a music than art connoisseur. While Squire's paintings looked very nice, I couldn't explain why they pleased the eye.

Liam told me: "I like the white painting best. You could always colour it in if you got bored with it. The orange one looks like sausages going mad in Ibiza."

Liam Gallagher - music legend and wise, charming man.

Source: Daily Star

'7 Ages Of Rock' Covers Indie

Watch the show here

The story of British indie, beginning with The Smiths, the archetypal indie group. The film follows The Stone Roses as the heirs to the indie crown, Suede's dark sexuality and the media saturation of Brit-pop's Blur v Oasis.

What The World Is Waiting For explores how indie ultimately lost its once cherished intimacy and integrity in front of 250,000 fans at Oasis's Knebworth spectacle in 1996 and how, by returning to its roots in clubs and bars (and even front rooms) with bands such as Franz Ferdinand, The Libertines and The Arctic Monkeys, indie became respectable again.

Thanks to AverageMan06

Liam Is A Cop Idol

It's a double Bill for Liam Gallagher as he poses with two cops.

The Oasis singer was snapped with the pair after the opening of a new art exhibition by Stone Roses legend John Squire.

Liam went to see the guitarist’s new works at a hip gallery in London’s Shoreditch. I didn’t see him get his wallet out but he seemed to be enjoying the free wine.

TV chef Jamie Oliver also showed up and bought two of the 20 canvases that were selling for between £2,000 and £28,000.

John flogged eight of the canvases on show.

That should keep the bank manager happy...

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Zak Starkey Joins Paul Weller, Graham Coxon And Mani On Jonathan Ross Show This Friday

Paul Weller and former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon have enlisted the help of ex-Stone Roses bassist Mani and Oasis drummer Zak Starkey to perform tracks from their new special edition single on a British TV chat show.

The supergroup will play on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross later this week (06Jul07).

The show is on BBC 1 and starts at 10:35PM (UK), other guests on the show are Bob Hoskins and Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling.

Source: www.contactmusic.com

This Month's Copy Of Uncut

This month's copy of Uncut features a two page article on the the writing and recording of Oasis's classic track Don't Look Back In Anger.

It features Noel Gallagher, Owen Morris and Alan McGee.

In Stores now

Noel Gallagher 'Don't Look Back In Anger Is Our Most Popular Song Live'

"It's the biggest song of the night now, which must do Liam's head in as he doesn't get to sing it but it makes me feel pretty good."

Oasis star Noel Gallagher is delighted the band's hit Don't Look Back In Anger has taken over from Wonderwall as the group's most popular song at live gigs.

Source: www.contactmusic.com

'7 Ages Of Rock' Covers Indie

Noel Gallagher, lead guitarist of the British band Oasis, says he picked up the guitar because of the Manchester band The Smiths.

Gallagher said that after seeing The Smiths on television, he decided to learn to play the instrument, NME.com reported.

"I remember seeing The Smiths on 'Top of the Pops,' and I don't mean this in a sycophantic way, but I wanted to be (Smiths guitarist) Johnny Marr," he said. "He had the Brian Jones haircut, the turtleneck, and the big red semi-acoustic guitar and he was cool."

Gallagher made the comment on the BBC's "7 Ages of Rock," which will recount the rise of Blur, Suede, The Stone Roses and The Libertines, as well as document Oasis' famous Knebworth gigs.

"Knebworth House is Batman's house in the films. Did you know that? Well, when you see the Batman films and they drive through the big gates, well that's Knebworth House," he said. "So there I was driving into Batman's gaff right, in a Rolls Royce, off my head. And I remember driving into this big field, and sitting on my Rolls Royce thinking I was Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, and nearly having a panic attack (because) I'd been up all night drinking, and going yeah! I'll take it. Where do I sign?"

Source: www.earthtimes.org

On This Day In Oasis History...

"Sunday Morning Call" is a song by British rock band Oasis taken from their fourth studio album, Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, and was released as the third and final single from it on 3 July 2000, peaking at #4 in the UK charts. The song is written and sung by Noel Gallagher, who took over lead vocal from brother Liam Gallagher on an A-side for the first time since "Don't Look Back in Anger" in 1996.

Though the song has the same anthemic feel that popularised many Oasis songs, and departs from the psychedelic feel of Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, which had been poorly received by critics, it received a mixed critical reception. NME described it as "a dreary thing indeed", whereas All Music Guide described it as a "self-consciously mature departure from the group's usual ebullience... a deliberately mellow, mid-tempo [song]".

The music video is a take on the Jack Nicholson film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, with characters resembling McMurphy and Nurse Ratched. It was filmed in an old mental institution in Vancouver, Canada and features Scottish actor James Cunningham, who has previously starred in the original play of Trainspotting. Unlike the film, the video begins with the McMurphy character escaping his home and giving chase to the authorities, and ends in a football match. While the inmates celebrate a victory, Oasis are seen watching from the asylum window, and Noel Gallagher makes a 'wanker' hand gesture at Cunningham.

This was, and still is, the only Oasis single to feature Noel Gallagher singing lead vocals on all of the songs.

Click here for the music video, or here for a live performance.

Source: Wikipedia

Paul Weller Praises New Pal Graham Coxon

Paul Weller has been speaking about his collaboration with Graham Coxon, saying the pair have clicked well.

Explaining the sound of the song, Weller told 6music: "It sounds great, its quite an up, rocking sort of tune. Got Zak Starkey playing drums on it, and me and Graham singing on it, and we co-wrote it."

As previously reported, the ex Jam and Blur stars have recorded a song called 'This old Town' together which will be released as a download from today. A physical release will follow on July 30.

Speaking of their time in the studio, Weller says that despite him hitting the booze and Coxon remaining sober, they had a good time together.

He said: "It just seemed really natural and it just really clicked quite easily, it wasn't really too much hard work really. He's about as sort of as shy as I am at times, but it was alright after a while, it was good, it seemed pretty natural I thought.

"I was on the piss obviously, and he was like stone cold sober so that was quite interesting at times, but it was good, good fun as well."

The single comes backed with the Weller penned track 'Black River' and Coxon's song 'Each New Morning.'

Source: www.musicrooms.net

Upcoming George Lamb Show On BBC 6 Music

George Lamb
On: BBC 6 Music
Date: Tuesday 3rd July 2007
Time: 10:00 pm to 1:00 am (UK)

The Main Event is Oasis' Britpop-peak performance in front of 250,000 fans at Knebworth in 1996. The Featured Session is from Mystery Jets, recorded in the 6 Music Hub. Keane's take on U2's With or Without You is tonight's Mutton Dressed as Lamb.

7 Ages of Rock is a landmark BBC 2 series examining rock music's evolution. Here at 6 Music, we have taken a specific look at four of the genres covered in the series to bring you a four part documentary.

Also you can now download a highlights package of this four part documentary by clicking here.

It features highlights from the TV series as well as extra interviews that did not feature in the series. That include Keith Richards, Dave Gilmour, Peter Gabriel, John Lydon, Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Alex James Speaks About Blur, Life And The Rivalry With Oasis.

Alex James has spoken to Sky News about his time with Blur, life and the rivalry with Oasis.

Click Here to watch the interview.

On This Day In Oasis History...

Heathen Chemistry is the fifth studio album by English rock band Oasis, first released on July 1st 2002. It sold over 1 million copies in the UK, ending up in the top ten best selling albums of 2002, and about 4 million worldwide as of 2005.

Heathen Chemistry was received more warmly than the previous Oasis album, Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, by both fans and critics alike. It spawned four singles, each of which made the top three in the UK charts: "The Hindu Times", their sixth number one single in the UK, "Stop Crying Your Heart Out", a song made famous as it was played on the BBC when the English football team were knocked out of the World Cup, the Double A-Side, sung by Noel — "Little By Little/She Is Love" — and "Songbird", the first single written by Liam.

This album was the last one to feature the band's longtime drummer, Alan White, who left in early 2004, with Noel Gallagher claiming White's commitment to the band wasn't up to scratch. He was effectively replaced with Ringo Starr's son, Zak Starkey.

Album History

The title of the album, according to Noel, came from a t-shirt he bought in Ibiza which featured a logo reading, "The Society of Heathen Chemists". Similarly, the name of the first single, "The Hindu Times", originated from a logo on a t-shirt that read the same thing, which Noel saw during a photo shoot for GQ's 100 Greatest Guitarists edition. The name was given to the track when it was just an instrumental, as all the instrumentals of this album were given actual titles as opposed to "Instrumental 1", etc., and the name stuck once the track was finished.

The album was recorded during 2001–early 2002, and was the first studio album written and recorded with the two new members, bassist Andy Bell and rhythm guitarist Gem Archer. Bell and Archer wrote one track each, and Liam Gallagher contributed three, thus the album signalled the end of Noel Gallagher songs dominating Oasis albums (though Liam had contributed "Little James" to Standing on the Shoulder of Giants).

The release of the album was overshadowed by an internet leak of all 11 tracks almost three months prior to release. However, listeners of the commercially released album heard slight differences to two tracks, "Little By Little" and "Better Man".

Click Here for the music video for The Hindu Times
Click Here for the music video for Stop Crying Your Heart Out
Click Here for the music video for Little By Little
Click Here for the music video for Songbird

Source: Wikipedia

Oasis Set To Hit The Studio This Tuesday?

Noel Gallagher: From 7 Ages Of Rock

"Good evening my lord, will you be eating at Digsy's Dinner Suite tonight?"

Yep Noel is looking regal, and well he might, Grabbed from the Britpop edition of the 7 Ages Of Rock, this picture something about the Oasis guitarist that NME has known for a long time: he's the governor.

With the show recalling the band's rise and highlights such as Knebworth it's nice to look back, but now Noel is concentrating on the future again with Oasis set to hit the studio next Tuesday.

Source: NME Magazine

More On Gibson Guitartown

Today I received an email from www.petemckee.com containing more pictures of the giant Les Paul Gibson guitar that Paul McKee designed for Noel Gallagher.

The unique guitar will form part of the Gibson Guitartown London charity campaign and be displayed publicly at More London by Tower Bridge, London SE1 from June 25th for ten weeks.

Following the display, Noel Gallagher’s signed guitar will be auctioned off to raise money for The Prince’s Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.


















The guitar was based on Peter's "Good Education" picture that was sent to Noel.

I'm told "You can purchase the very same print from our website that Noel Gallagher has over his fireplace at his home!"

Asked what was Noel's response to the guitar. Pete said that "Noel was absolutely thrilled with his guitar and Paul Weller was apparently quite envious when he saw it too!!"

Source: Email from www.petemckee.com

Tonight On The BBC

The show will be shown on tonight, 9pm BBC Two and repeated tomorrow, 11pm BBC One (UK Only)

The story of British indie, beginning with The Smiths, the archetypal indie group. The film follows The Stone Roses as the heirs to the indie crown, Suede's dark sexuality and the media saturation of Brit-pop's Blur v Oasis. What The World Is Waiting For explores how indie ultimately lost its once cherished intimacy and integrity in front of 250,000 fans at Oasis's Knebworth spectacle in 1996 and how, by returning to its roots in clubs and bars (and even front rooms) with bands such as Franz Ferdinand, The Libertines and The Arctic Monkeys, indie became respectable again.

Featured events in the show

10th September 1994
Oasis release Definitely Maybe

Following the singles, "Live Forever", "Shakermaker", and "Supersonic", this album catapulted Oasis into the top of the charts and announced them as the new kings of British rock. It was radically different from the dance tinged rock or grunge that had come before it, sporting a swagger and Britishness that instantly connected with the indie crowd. Noel Gallagher: "It's all about escapism - a pint in one hand, your best mate in the other, whoever that may be, and just having a good time."

14th August 1995
Blur v Oasis

At the peak of the 'Britpop' years, Blur and Oasis' respective labels decided that as a big marketing stunt they would release their new singles on the same day. This created a huge head to head battle between the two bands. The resulting news coverage turned this event into a bitter class war between the Northern working class Oasis and the Southern middle class Blur. Damon Albarn ended up being interviewed on the Ten O'clock news. In the end Blur's "Country House" won over Oasis' "Roll with it", though neither were the strongest offerings from each of the albums.

11th August 1996
Knebworth Park

At this stage of Oasis's career they were top of the Britpop pile and were looking for the next big conquest. Knebworth was a venue that had long been associated with the biggest acts in rock history; Queen, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones had all played there to vast audiences. Oasis now saw themselves as part of this rock legacy and there were only few UK locations left that could handle the crowds that followed them. Oasis wanted to set a new benchmark for an open-air performance; they hired the biggest PA, the biggest video screens, and reportedly sold over 250,000 tickets for 2 consecutive performances. This moment could be seen as the last great Britpop performance; nothing after would match its scale

The show will include new interviews with Noel Gallagher and Bonehead

More information click Here

Also after the programme

Later Presents Brit Beat
On: BBC 4
Date: Saturday 30th June 2007
Time: 11:15 pm to 12:15 am

Jools Holland introduces a compilation of live studio performances by British guitar-pop bands. Featuring Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Manic Street Preachers, Radiohead, Ash, Ocean Colour Scene, Cast, the Bluetones, and Super Furry Animals.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Noel Gallagher: 'Johnny Marr Made Me Pick Up A Guitar'

Oasis leader admits The Smiths inspired him to form a band

Oasis leader Noel Gallagher has admitted that The Smiths inspired him to pick up a guitar.

The star claims that seeing the Manchester legends on 'Top Of The Pops' for the first time turned his head.

"I remember seeing The Smiths on Top Of The Pops, and I don't mean this in a sycophantic way, but I wanted to be Johnny Marr," he said. "He had the Brian Jones haircut, the turtleneck, and the big red semi-acoustic guitar and he was cool as fuck."

Gallagher made the admission on this week's Britpop edition of '7 Ages Of Rock'.

The show will also recall the rise of a host of indie bands including Blur, Suede, The Stone Roses, The Libertines and will document Oasis's legendary Knebworth gigs.

Reflecting on their famous gigs Gallagher added: "Knebworth House is Batman's house in the films. Did you know that? Well, when you see the Batman films and they drive through the big gates, well that's Knebworth House. So there I was driving into Batman's fucking gaff right, in a Rolls Royce, off my head!

"And I remember driving into this big field, and sitting on my Rolls Royce thinking I was Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, and nearly having a panic attack cos I'd been up all night drinking, and going yeah! I'll take it. Where do I sign?"

'7 Ages Of Rock' will be aired on BBC 2 on Saturday at 9pm and on BBC 1 on Sunday at 11.05pm.

Source: www.nme.com