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OASIS have been named among the top bands in the country by the NME, which has nominated the ageing Manchester rockers for its Best British Band title.
But the Madchester lads have a fair bit of competition from KASABIAN, ARCTIC MONKEYS, PETE DOHERTY's BABYSHAMBLES and MUSE, with the winners announced at the NME Awards on March 1st.
There are, however, a few contradictions in the nominations, revealing a certain amount of fickleness in the music industry.
LILY ALLEN, for instance, is up for Best Solo Artist and Sexiest Woman, but also Worst Dressed and Worst Album, while indie rockers THE KOOKS are up for Best New Band and also Worst Album.
Both RAZORLIGHT and lead singer JOHNNY BORRELL have come in for a bashing from the NME, with Borrell nominated for Villain of the Year and Worst Dressed and the band up for Worst Album and Worst Band.
Meanwhile, fans of OASIS and KASABIAN who are unconcerned with awards and more interested in the groups will be able to get a close look at their guitars in a special exhibition at the Harrods store in Knightsbridge.
The collection, called Harrods Rocks, will also feature rare and iconic guitars from THE EDGE, BRIAN JONES, KEITH RICHARDS and MARC BOLAN, and runs from February 2nd.
After 10-plus years of rocking, rolling, snorting, drinking, yelling and fighting (not to mention writing some of the best rock songs ever recorded), Oasis are releasing their much-awaited best-of collection, Stop the Clocks. We caught up with the (slightly) less potty-mouthed songwriting half of the Gallagher brothers and listened to him talk a whole lot of shit. Our apologies to Green Day.
STUFF: When was the moment you realized you could play in a rock ’n’ roll band for a living?
NOEL: I can’t remember that far back, really, but now that I think about it, it would be around the time I wrote “Live Forever.” That’s a fuckin’ good tune, man.
You wrote that in your bedroom around ’91, right? You hadn’t made it yet at that point.
No, we didn’t even have a record deal. I’d written most of Definitely Maybe before I wrote “Live Forever,” but once I wrote that, I said to myself, “This is undeniably fucking great.”
Who’s the first person you played it for?
A very uninterested girlfriend, I think. But then I took it to the boys during a rehearsal, and we all knew that was it.
All these years later, what do you think the appeal of Oasis is?
I’d probably say it’s my seemingly never-ending good looks and Liam’s charming behavior. I don’t know, to be honest. I’d like to think it’s the music, but I don’t know.
We read that you didn’t want Stop the Clocks to come out while Oasis were still together. Does it feel weird to have fans look back at your work even though you’re still making music and performing?
Every time we put a new record out, people are always looking at us retrospectively. There’s always a new generation of fans and journalists who want to give their take on the massive phenomenon that is Oasis.
You’ve said that you wanted to handpick the songs that went on it because if the record company did it, the album would be “shit.” Did you get any heat from your label for choosing B-sides and songs that weren’t commercial singles for Stop the Clocks?
I guess. I mean, at the end of the day, I did it my way, but there were a few mutterings behind the scenes and all that. But really, fuck those people. What do they know? They didn’t write “Live Forever”—or even “Acquiesce,” for that matter.
Usually when a band puts out a best-of album or a live album, it’s to fulfill their contract to their label. Was this released to make good on your deal?
You’re a sharp one. We fulfilled our contract with Epic when we did Don’t Believe the Truth, but they were going to do this “best of” anyway. So it was really a choice between getting involved and making it great or standing over on the sidelines and waiting to slag it off when it was released.
Do you have any regrets about your records? We know Be Here Now didn’t quite turn out the way you wanted it to.
Well, most of the songs are too long and some of the lyrics aren’t too well thought out. And of course some of the tunes on Standing on the Shoulder of Giants are a bit shit. But they’re all perfect expressions of their time, and you can’t change them, so why worry about it?
What would you say was the high point of Oasis’ most decadent behavior? There’s that famous story about the show in L.A. in ’94 when some of the band allegedly took a shitload of crystal meth and you stormed out. Was that sort of stuff common back then?
Well, first off, the reason why I left is because crystal meth is like cheap speed, and I was into far more exotic drugs at that point. I was quite upset my band members had become punks when I was busy reaching for the stars. But in regard to the drug thing, it was omnipresent.
Was there ever a point when you said to yourself, “This shit is wild”?
Well, when you look at yourself in the mirror at 7 A.M., wearing big fucking round sunglasses and a black fur coat with a fucking 50-pound note up your nose, and you say, “Yeah, man, this is what it’s all about,” you might be a bit fucked.
Can you give me a ballpark figure on how much money Oasis spent on drugs in the ’90s?
[Long pause] I couldn’t even calculate it.
A million pounds?
Whoa, man. I mean, a million pounds is a lot of fuckin’ money. But it’s got to be at least half a million. Wait, what the fuck am I saying—it’s got to be more than that. Just print 10 million. Put it next to my picture: “I blew $10 million on drugs!”
Are there any bands around today that you think need to be put in their place?
Green Day. What the fuck’s that all about? They consider themselves to be—and I quote—“a kick-ass rock ’n’ roll band.” They could not be less kick-ass if they tried.
What about them do you find so reprehensible?
They’re obviously a corporate punk band—and they ripped off one of my songs!
Which one?
[Sings] “I walk these lonely streets…” Fucking “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”! If you listen, you’ll find it is exactly the same arrangement as “Wonderwall.”
We don’t know if you’re one to point fingers about knicking riffs from other groups.
Yeah, but not whole songs! They should have the decency to wait until I am dead. I at least pay the people I steal from that courtesy.
Oasis have ignored calls from Brit Award bosses to glamorise their finale performance at next month's ceremony, insisting it's not their style.
The group will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award at the event on 14 February and are set to close the show with a medley of their hits.
Noel Gallagher says, "We won't do anything special because that's not the way we are. "But I guess some clown will have dressed up the stage with a fancy backdrop and we'll get the hump."
The bands' request for a full set was turned down by the event organisers, with the group allocated 15 minutes for their performance.
Gallagher adds, "We might do three or possibly just two songs. "I don't mind because our songs are quite long. If we were the Arctic Monkeys we'd be able to do about six."
Harrods to stage Europe's largest guitar exhibition
"Born To Rock " gathers into one place over 150 priceless guitars played by the likes of Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Noel Gallagher, the Edge, Marc Bolan, Neil Young, and blues legend Rory Gallagher. Fresh from its launch at Galeries Lafayette in Paris, and currently playing to record breaking crowds at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin until 21st January, Harrods will host "Born To Rock " from 2nd February to 3rd March.
Produced by BigTime.TV, "Born to Rock " is, essentially, a history of rock multi-media experience, showcasing guitars and artists who have helped shape contemporary pop culture, from the blues guitar of John Lee Hooker to indie rockers Franz Ferdinand and Kasabian.
The spirit of rock 'n' roll will electrify Knightsbridge this February as Harrods celebrates the most iconic instrument of all through its storewide promotion, "Harrods Rocks".
The centre piece and inspiration for this event is the "RockCouture " collection: over 50 beautiful and unique electric guitars, personally customised by many of the biggest names in fashion, music and design, including Bono, Nick Rhodes, Patrick Cox, Sir Peter Blake, Lord Richard Rogers, David LaChapelle, Jennifer Lopez, Graham Coxon, Diane Von Furstenberg, Theo Fennell and loads more......
Noel Gallagher will get 'the hump' if organisers jazz it up
Oasis have declared they will not do anything special when they pick up their Outstanding Contribution To Music award at this year's BRITS.
The band's career will be recognised at the February 14 ceremony, but guitarist Noel Gallagher has said the group will keep things simple.
"We won't do anything special because that's not the way we are," he explained before dismissing the organisers efforts. "I guess some clown will have dressed up the stage with a fancy backdrop and we'll get the hump."
The band's leader added that the group had wanted to play a full set but will be reduced to just playing a couple of numbers in their 15 minute slot.
"We might do three or possibly just two songs," he told The Sun. "I don't mind because our songs are quite long. If we were the Arctic Monkeys we'd be able to do about six."
Gallagher added that he was looking forward to the bash though so he could cause a bit of havoc, declaring: "I love the big awards ceremonies because there's always someone there you can antagonise."
On February 26 Cancer Research UK will bring together some of the biggest names in popular music and photography for its Sound & Vision 2007 event - a unique music and photography exhibition and auction to be held at Abbey Road Studios which Q is delighted to be supporting.
Among the many highlights of the exhibition – which has legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin as its patron – are Q man Jason Joyce’s striking images of Noel and Liam Gallagher, Jude Edginton’s exceptional work with Paul Weller and Basement Jaxx, and one of only two prints of the original artwork to the Scissor Sister’s debut album, courtesy of Studio Spooky.
The live auction will offer guests the chance to bid for some unique pieces of music memorabilia and once in a lifetime experiences, including the chance to star in your very own personalised Q cover, shot by Jason Joyce!
All money raised on the night will help fund Cancer Research UK’s pioneering research. Tickets to the event are strictly limited and can be applied for by calling Cancer Research UK on: 0870 242 7095 or going to www.soundandvision2007.co.uk.
Matt interviewed Noel at the CMJ film festival New York after the screening of 'Lord Don't Slow me Down'. It aired on HDNET's program 'Soundoff' on January 15th 2007.
NOEL GALLAGHER has reignited his feud with ROBBIE WILLIAMS ahead of today's (16.Jan) Brit Award Nominations - calling the ANGEL singer's new album dog s**t. Williams' album RUDEBOX is wildly expected to be shunned at today's nominations for the British music event - making it the first time in ten years his album hasn't received a BRIT nomination.
And OASIS rocker Gallagher hasn't wasted any time in sticking the knife in - insisting Williams probably hates the album as well. He says, "As he tends to refer himself in the third person, Robbie Williams is obviously a character that he invented and the music he makes is f**king dog s**t. And I think even Robbie would probably admit that. The outburst from the WONDERWALL rocker is the latest in a series of feuds between the pair - which all started after Gallagher called the LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU singer the "fat dancer from TAKE THAT." The Brit Awards takes place next month (14.Feb)
Oasis to receive Outstanding Contribution to Music BRIT award
The BPI announced today that Oasis will be recognised with the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music at The BRIT Awards on Valentine’s Day 2007. The band are to be presented with the award at the show at London’s Earls Court on the 14th February 2007. Previous winners of the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award include The Beatles, John Lennon, U2 and The Who. This will be the 5th BRIT Award the band have received.
Oasis have also confirmed that they will be performing live at the BRITS ceremony, which will be broadcast live for the first time.
Often cited as the most influential band of their generation, Oasis can count many contemporary bands — including Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys and more — as great fans of their music and rock’n’roll swagger.
The band was formed by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher in Manchester in 1991. The debut album Definitely Maybe (1994) plus the follow-ups (What’s The Story) Morning Glory (1995), and Be Here Now (1997) defined the 1990’s decade for many music fans.
More recent albums, Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants (2000), Heathen Chemistry (2002) and Don’t Believe The Truth (2005) saw experimental changes in mood and in line-up, but all of the band’s studio albums — as well as 8 of their singles — made UK No1. In addition, they have sold 50 million albums, earned numerous accolades, and picked up four BRIT awards to date.
Oasis’ current line up includes Gem Archer (guitar/backing vocals), Andy Bell (bass) and Zac Starkey (drums). The group released a best-of album, Stop The Clocks in November 2006, with a new studio album slated for late 2007.
Noel Gallagher has £14 million in the bank, he has revealed.
The Oasis songwriter, who is also understood to own lucrative property in numerous European locations, made the claim in a new interview.
Noel was asked if had lost his enthusiasm for the music industry. He replied: "Yeah. But at the last count, I've got 14 million quid in the bank account - that keeps me interested."
He then commented: "By the way, if anyone's reading this - particularly the Inland Revenue - I haven't got 14million in the bank…not in cash anyway."
The new Oasis greatest hits album, "Stop The Clocks", is currently at Number Ten in the UK chart.
This week on Sound Off, Matt sits down with Noel Gallagher, lead guitarist, principal songwriter and vocalist for the British supergroup Oasis. Formed in Manchester in 1991, Oasis are one of the most successful and prominent English music groups to emerge during the 1990s with 50 million in album sales and 8 UK number-one singles. Their critical acclaim and massive, loyal fanbase still remain today, feeding off the band's melodic hooks, loud guitars and defiant sneer. Oasis' latest release is a greatest hits album entitled, Stop The Clocks.
Matt Pinfield’s candid interview approach has made him a favorite among music fans and musicians alike dating back to his days at MTV & USA up to his present day radio show on Sirius Satellite. Matt goes behind-the-scenes to get the inside scoop as he interviews the biggest music stars and legends in the industry - giving you the real stories and honest opinions from the artists who live them
Show: Sound Off with Matt Pinfield Episode: Oasis Network: (HDNet) HDNet Date: Sunday - January 14, 2007 Time: 8:30/7:30c PM Duration: 0:30
(This interview was taped when Noel stopped by during the CMJ Film festival (06) for a Q and A with fans at the world premiere of the "Lord Don't Slow Me Down" documentary in New York City.)
Oasis' Noel Gallagher is hoping to pull out all the stops when the band head into the studio to record their seventh studio LP later this year.
According to NME, the guitarist and chief songwriter is thinking big for the follow-up to 2005's huge-selling sixth LP, Dont Believe The Truth.
He told the weekly rock magazine: "All the tunes I've written recently have been on the kind of acoustic side, you know? But for the next record I really fancy doing a record where we just completely throw the kitchen sink at it.
"We havent done that since Be Here Now (the bands third LP). I'd like to get, like, a 100-piece orchestra and choirs and all that stuff.
"I think since Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants (the bands fourth LP) weve been trying to prove a point of just bass, drums, guitar and vocals nothing fancy. But I kind of like fancy! I'd like to make an absolutely colossal album.
And the Burnage rocker already has some songs in mind for the as-yet-untitled release.
Stop The Clocks
'Stop The Clocks' will eventually appear, then theres another one call 'I Wanna Live In A Dream In My Record Machine'.
It's about buying records, and I said to boys in Kasabian out in Ibiza, its kind of like a Champagne Supernova thing.
Noel also confirmed that just like on the previous release, the rest of the band will also contribute.
"Andy (Bell) and Liam (Gallagher) are writing stuff now, Im not sure what Andys songs are like, but Liams are kind of very Beatle-esque".
Apparently, one of Liams tracks has caught Noels ear in particular.
"'Boy With The Blues' could be as big or small as you want it to be. It could be like a gospel track or something".
Liam does gospel, now theres something to look forward to...
