In 1991, nobody would have expected a small Manchester band who took their original name from The Beatles, to turn into a global phenomenon known throughout the world.
'The Rain' set up by unknown local lads Paul Arthurs, Paul McGuigan, Tony McCarroll and Liam Gallagher, were just a small rock band, who had no impact on the music scene whatsoever. Nobody outside of Manchester had heard of them, they were going along doing local gigs and just getting by as a group of friends having a bit of fun. Liam suggested renaming the band Oasis after a venue in Swindon where he used to watch one of his favourite bands at. Shortly after, Liam's brother Noel joined the band, only if he could be the lead guitarist and the band only played the songs which he had written. IN:D asked Steve Higgins, Oasis fan if he listened to 'The Rain' and how he first came about listening to Oasis, and what his initial thoughts were on them.'They were not a very big band (the Rain). I was at university at the time and a few of my friends talked about them, I think they were doing some student Union stuff but nothing I caught up with...I thought it was great and a real change from the others I had heard. It was a bit of a bottleg version but very soon they were appearing on the radio and at a few Uni events. I was hooked. I had always been more of a band and good instrument type music lad. The eighties as a kid i was more into Queen, U2 and Dire Straights rather than that Stock, Aitkin and Waterman rubbish so when Oasis came along they were an instand attraction for me.' Oasis were breaking through. In 1994 they released their record setting debut album 'Definitely Maybe', which was extremely popular with the studentds. They made their name going round University campuses and performing for Student Union.'Well the first time I ever saw Oasis live was at Bury Town Hall in a bit of a North of England Uni type event, where they sans three songs. The first real gig so to speak was at Man City's old ground Maine Road on their What's the Story tour. A massive gig for the Gallagher brothers due to them both supporting City and actually growing up 5 minutes away.'When 1995 came along the band were in the midst of recording (What's the Story) Morning Glory? which included mega hits such as: Wonderwall, Don't Look Back in Anger, Some Might Say and Roll With it, which still to today are popular favourites of many Oasis fans. Singles like 'Whatever' were claimed as Noel Gallagher genius.'Only Noel can write a rock song then he comes out with that written perfectly and incorporating a symphony orchestra. McCartney came out with an orchestra album years later and was called a genius. Fair enough he is...But so is Noel!'But, Oasis had competition with Britpop and bands like Blur who were similar to Oasis, but were more popular 'darn sarf' with the cockneys because they were a London based band. The Gallagher brothers had a wild and mischevious lifestyle, featuring in many tabloid newspapers and many magazines.
Following the release of their third album 'Be Here Now', the band slowly started to drift apart. With the swift departutre of members Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs and Paul McGuigan, it was plain to the public eye that not all was so nice and easy for the band. We asked Steve if he ever suspected the massive fallout which occured and if he felt the band went downhill.'They are brothers who have never actually seen eye to eye. I think in the early days both of their passion to succeed and to be famous overrided the fact theat they used to fall out. They always found a way to make up. The older more successful and richer they got the less they felt they needed each other. It was always going to happen.'Liam and Noel quickly hired Gem Archer and Andy Bell to replace the two departed members. The new reformed band started recording a new album which was later released in 2005 called 'Don't Believe the Truth', which included well known singles 'Lyla, The Importance of Being Idle and Let there Be Love'. This album brought new found success and popularity back to the band.
August 2009 brought a festival appearance for Oasis, but an a;tercation with Liam brought a surprise exit for Noel, after many fights and feuds over the years he said he couldn't work with somebody like him (Liam) any more. Liam decided to create his own band under the name of 'Beady Eye' and unsurprisingly Noel set up 'Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds' with Noel as the lead singer and songwriter. IN:D asked Steve his opinions on both new bands.'Beady eye...If I'm honest not a fan. But to be honest as much as I adored Liam as a singer and a man, I never liked his songs as you can see from my worst song. Birds...Seem alright from what I've heard, the song writing will be just as good but i fear the frailties in Noel's singing will mean he can't always write what he wants to write.'Looking back on a topsey turvey relationship between the brothers, and a rollacoaster ride for the band Steve explained how it would be a 'dream come true' to see the band again in 2015 for their supposed 20th anniversary of their most famous album (What's the Story) Morning Glory? Were personal favourite of Steve's 'Don't Look Back in Anger' wuld be sung.
Whether Beady Eye or High Flying Birds make a successful career out of trying to compete against each other, Oasis are and always will be the best British band of the recent years.
Finally we asked one more question...as this is a question asked throughout the world with many Oasis fans across the world........Noel or Liam?'Its changed!! as a younger guy without a doubt it was Liam, his swagger, his attitude the brilliant voice it was just what I looked for and loved. As I have got older its Noel. The song writing genius that has described my life makes me feel overwhelmed. He writes from his experience and I can feel every song like its about me.'
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