Oasis

1 Oasis are a British rock group, originally formed in Manchester, England. They enjoyed a period of huge success following the release of their first album, Definitely Maybe and during the second, What's The Story Morning Glory?, with praise from across the spectrum and the accumulation of several major awards. Many critics have since said this was the peak of their musical career to-date. They cite bands such as The Beatles, Slade, The Stone Roses, The Real People, The Smiths and The Who as influences.

The band currently comprises lead guitarist and principal songwriter Noel Gallagher and his younger brother vocalistsongwriter Liam Gallagher, who are the only remaining original band members. Included in the group are Andy Bell, Gem Archer and live drummer Zak Starkey. The band continues to maintain its original organization of two guitarists, one bassist, drummer and lead singer.

Thanks to the success of their critically acclaimed debut album Definitely Maybe and its 18m selling follow-up What's the Story Morning Glory?, the Gallagher brothers featured regularly in tabloid newspaper stories, and cultivated a reputation as bad boys.

At the height of their fame, their 1997 third album Be Here Now reached 1 in the UK charts and also became the fastest-selling album in chart history, with almost half a million copies sold on the first day alone. It also reached 1 in France, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Japan as well as 2 in the U.S., just 770 copies short of that week's 1 album. However, the record almost caused the destruction of the band as they experienced an immediate fall in popularity.

After a three-year break they returned with 'Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants' in 2000. Although it was poorly received by critics, it duly gave them their fourth UK 1 album and their fifth UK 1 single with lead single 'Go Let It Out.' Much of the album was recorded by just Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher and Alan White as Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs and Paul 'Guigsy' McGuigan left shortly before its recording.

A new line-up, containing ex-Ride member Andy Bell and Gem Archer, released 'Heathen Chemistry' in 2002, which wasn't well received by the public or the critics. It also hit 1 and contained their sixth UK 1 single in 'The Hindu Times', which also topped the Canadian and Italian charts.

Alan White, with the band since Morning Glory, left in 2004 shortly before the recording of the band's sixth album 'Don't Belive The Truth' with rumours suggesting he lacked commitment to the band. He was replaced by Zak Starkey, son of Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr. 'Don't Believe The Truth' was a huge hit both commercially and for the first time in a long time for Oasis critically, hitting 1 and winning a Q award for album of the year, beating Coldplay's X+Y amongst others. Sales were over 350,000 in the first week alone and have already broken 1,000,000. Their performances live were also their most consistent in years, as Liam completed all shows . They successfully toured Europe, North America Canada, USA, Mexico, Asia Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Through surviving the loss of founding members and with continuous support from their loyal fanbase, Oasis have managed to outlast many of their Britpop contemporaries. Suede, Pulp and some other peer groups have split up, or record only infrequently, while Oasis maintain a regular schedule of releases and touring. They released a best of compilation entitled "Stop the Clocks" in 2006.

The Battle Of BritpopA slight setback occured during early sessions for their second album. Original drummer Tony McCarroll was sacked. Noel Gallagher has since claimed that his departure was a result of him not being technically good enough to play on more complex songs. There were also reports of scuffles with the Gallaghers. McCaroll had been angered by the "1,000 incident", as the band called it, which occurred after Creation advanced them that sum to purchase new equipment. Having already spent 600 of his own money on drums, McCaroll was annoyed to find that Noel refused to spend any of the cash on drum skins and instead bought a new guitar. McCaroll was replaced with quiet Londoner Alan "Whitey" White, whose brother Steve had drummed for Paul Weller and his band Style Council and many others. McCaroll later attempted to sue the Gallaghers over his sacking, citing breach of contract, but lost the suit on a technicality.

Oasis soon had their first UK 1 with "Some Might Say", the first single from their second album and the only track on the second album to feature McCarroll, in late April 1995. During this period, the British media seized upon a supposed rivalry between Oasis and fellow Britpop band Blur. Noel Gallagher played along, telling The Observer that he hoped Damon Albarn and Alex James of Blur would "catch AIDS and die".4 He subsequently apologised5 for this in a formal letter to Melody Maker magazine.

On Monday, August 14, 1995, Blur and Oasis released new singles on the same day, setting up a "Battle of the Bands" that dominated the week's music news. Perhaps in part because it was more cheaply priced 1.99 vs 3.99, Blur's "Country House" outsold Oasis's "Roll With It" by 274,000 copies to 216,000 during the week. There was also the difference that "Country House" was the lead single for a new album, whereas "Roll With It" was the second single off of "Morning Glory." Nonetheless, the supposed rivalry has been exploited and rehashed innumerable times in the British press ever since.

In spite of the loss on the singles charts for "Roll With It", Oasis's second album, 'What's the Story Morning Glory?' became the second largest selling album of all time in the UK.

2 Oasis was an American rock band from Marin County, California active in the 1970s. Their sound has been described as psychedelic folk rock, progressive folk and psychedelic pop, characterized by malefemale harmonies. With the help of David Crosby of famed Crosby, Stills & Nash, they recorded one album, Oasis, released on the Cranbus label in 1973.

Members Shelly Fox was previously in Cookin Mama, and Stephen Barncard also worked with Chet Nichols and David Crosby. Kelly Bryan had earlier been in the short-lived Grootna, and later played on a couple of albums by Jesse Colin Young.

Between 1971 and 1978 members of Oasis also recorded under the name RJ Fox and completed an album for Atlantic in 1971 which was never released. A double disc collection of Oasis and RJ Fox material was compiled by the Black Bamboo label in 1998. RJ Fox: Retrospective Dreams included the lost LP, tracks from the Oasis album and many others.

3 Oasis is an alias of Omar-S Alex O. Smith from Detroit, a deep house techno producer.

4 Oasis is a truly gluggably tasty replacement for those who hate water :P