Oasis Split: Definitely, not Maybe…

Ok first things first I apologise profusely for the title of this ramble, although it did raise a few smiles amongst my mum and dad and I’m not sure they even know who Oasis are…

Anyway.  Before I start I want to draw attention to a feature we have published in the wake of the confirmation of Noel quitting the band, written by eternal Oasis lover and 4TR writer, Paul Madill…

http://4ortherecord.com/Heathen-Sophistry-Oasis-The-Split.html

We have always tried to take a fair, unbiased stance over the music we feature so for a subject that has already evoked such high emotion, whichever side of the fence you are standing on, here is my response to the apparent ending of a band that I have no real time for.

So, I believe my opinion and dislike of Oasis to be entirely justified.  Why? Well primarily I grew up in the era of Britpop and swore an allegiance to my darling Blur who were, alongside Suede, key instigators in this new movement that encompassed the 90’s in an ecstasy infused glory. Whilst Oasis brought a Northern glimmer to a scene that had already taken hold, it was Blur who won out in my mind every time the so called Battle of Britpop was played out through the covers of NME and in the UK charts.  And in fairness, I don’t think Liam wishing an AIDS death on the members of Blur was very helpful to their cause.  However, I am not naïve nor ignorant enough to deny the impact and invincible nature of the music contained within the critically acclaimed and now classic albums of the decade in which they were released, Definitely Maybe and (What’s The Story) Morning Glory.  

In fact tracks like ‘Live Forever’, ‘Supersonic’, ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Don’t Look back in Anger’ could perhaps soundtrack a period of my life filled with teenage angst, marginal amounts of cigarettes and alcohol and a hell of a lot of drugs.  BUT the many mediocre follow up records born off the back of rampant ego-massaging, constant in-fighting and a moronic fuck-you-we-don’t-care-what-you-think-but-secretly-we-do attitude started sounding the death knell of a band who had the potential to be so much more, yet chose to quaff champs in the Met Bar, rest on the laurels of praise lavished on them years before and berate anyone who dared criticise them.  And while I am at it here, I struggle in my mind to figure out when the hell this became about class – so what if they are working class boys done good?  The Gallagher’s themselves have since then enjoyed a life of luxury which few bands these days manage to achieve – they helped put Primrose Hill on the map, shacked up with actresses and basically stuck two fingers up at their former life.  That to me doesn’t suggest a pride in their roots, so why is it then normal to congratulate them for their obvious petulance and disregard for the fact that they have been incredibly lucky.  

But this is where I disagree with Paul most.  Sure many people jumped on the Oasis hating bandwagon, many of which I am positive know nothing of their musical back-catalogue choosing to focus on the celebrity aspect of their careers, which I might add the Gallagher’s thrive on – (just peruse back issues of The Sun, Ok and Heat for further proof).  However, there are countless others who feel warranted in their aversion to a band who post 2000 haven’t actually made a full length record deserving of the credit they have firstly lavished upon themselves and secondly received by elements of the national music press, who must have been, seemingly, paid to express such an opinion.  How many times do we need to read and/or choose to ignore a music feature whereby Liam has been given 2000 words in which to express his utter delight for himself and subject which ever publication’s readership to a torrent of abuse relating to how shit the British public’s music taste has become.  Why so Liam, because we don’t all love Oasis???

Of course 500 million albums sold worldwide doesn’t hide the fact that Oasis were, are and will continue to be a vastly loved band; a band which people were happy to pay fifty quid and more to see them play live 3 or 4 times a year and who might even stick their hand in their pocket at the promise of something pretty from Liam’s own fashion range.  And yes there are many bands out there willing to cite Oasis as the font of all inspiration as they attempt to recreate their sound, stance and arrogance – all of course in the vain hope that they too may one day be asked to support their heroes on a stadium tour, gaining a shit load of their fans by default and a nice little write up in the press.  And again, yes, there will be many people desperate to cling onto the history, anxiously waiting for the forthcoming solo material from each Gallagher and the inevitable come back gigs years to come when cash is a bit short and interest in them has waned.  But, and I mean BUT, this will by then be nothing new.  Reprising their roles, as rock n’ rolls backbiting brothers will again be nothing more than panto and a massive publicity tool.

In some sort of attempt to claw back some respect, Noel Gallagher at least had the decency to break the news of his departure himself after ONCE AGAIN, they pulled out of a festival appearance with about 2 minutes to go, stating on their website

“It’s with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight.  People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer”.

Now let’s be honest, Noel Gallagher basically was Oasis.  His song writing credits outweigh any of younger brother Liam and whilst Liam’s abrasive front-man style gave the band a face, it doesn’t instil faith that with Noel throwing the towel in Oasis could continue to exist without him.  And for that we can be thankful. But while Noel is the Gallagher that everyone loves for his charisma and talent, lets not propel him to the status of “genius” and/or "the wronged" at this juncture.  True he was the one to leave the band and publicly announce it, but just because he got in there first doesn’t mean he is blameless in a situation that has apparently been boiling away for the last 15 or so years.  

Creation Records’ Alan McGhee might have been the industry bod to sign them first, but I think his words in the media at the weekend are slightly misplaced - Noel as the next Neil Young? Liam as the next John Lennon?  The original comparisons to Oasis being the next best thing to the Beatles were unfounded then, lets not desperately rehash them now from the embers of what is left.  Most interesting, though, were his comments that this was “the end of the age of materialism”, suggesting that money could no longer motivate the members to continue working together.  Shame, I would have hoped their love for their creation, their fans and the ability to continue making music would have been enough after 17 years to keep them touring anyway.  Haven’t they made enough money by now?  And if things were so bad prior to this tour, why continue with the knowledge that at any point things could blow up?  Why leave fans disappointed and out of pocket at the very last second, again?  

Ultimately what Paul say's is true - I do find Oasis dull and uninspiring.  Yet I can hand on my heart assure you that I do not own a hounds tooth jacket, nor do I sup fizzy white wine with a raspberry in it (cant say the same about the trilby though) - and I too cannot abide the awful insipid shit that is dispelled from the likes of The Hoosiers and Metro Station.  In fact I wholeheartedly love guitar based rock, but I personally differentiate between the brilliance and humility of bands like, oh I dunno, The Stone Roses or the Manics maybe, to that of Oasis.

So in that case not every one of us who has a genuine abhorrence to this Manchester originating four-piece can be tarred with the very sweeping brush recently insinuated.  I can, however, appreciate the existence of the love for a band that many believe defined a generation. But its crazy to suggest they have produced some of the finest music the world will ever hear.  

Some things are for sure though, the saga will continue, opinions will be voiced and you are guaranteed to see a rise in record sales showing up on I-tunes and dare I say it, record shops in proceeding weeks, until people stop caring once more - as is the fickle nature of our music industry. 

As for me, I now wait with baited breath, whilst my fingers are crossed and a four-leafed clover grasped firmly in my hand, for a new Blur album.  What have you got to say about that, ‘ey Liam?  Don’t look back in anger mate.

Disclaimer : This is MY opinion and my opinion only - any abuse can be directed at ME and not 4TR. Ta very much.

And in the interests of a bit of fun...

Fran x