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Oasis 1991 – 2009

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John Harris once asked Liam Gallagher during an interview for the NME “do you have any recurring dreams?” Liam’s response, “Yeah, just the one… where I take over the band.” a powerful statement from Liam off Fierce Panda’s Oas*s Wibbling Rivalry release recorded in 1994. the bootleg of the Gallagher brothers bickering about Liam getting thrown off a ferry (transcript here) charted in the UK at #52 in November 1995, making it the highest ever charting recorded interview. most importantly though, the interview ends eerily with that exact quote from Liam.

in fact, Liam has put it on the table several times that Oasis would continue without his brother Noel. reason being that he was instrumental in the original line up of the band in 1991 formerly known as The Rain, of which Noel would later join to form Oasis. it became official this week that Oasis would not continue without Noel, since his for real departure from the band in late August. in an interview with The Times UK Liam stated:

“Well, Oasis is no longer. I think we all know that. So that’s done,” he explained. “It’s a shame, but that’s life. We had a good run at it. The thing about Oasis is no-one… we ended Oasis. No-one ended it for us. Which was pretty, kind of… cool. I’m thinking of what the next step is musically, which is all my mind’s on.”

And a shame it is, but of course Liam did leave room for a possible reunion, “People will be able to buy his (Noel’s) records. People will be able to buy our records. So everyone’s happy,” he explained, adding that he hoped in future to recover his relationship with Noel. “Well, that’s a long way off yet, man, but who knows?”

as a solo artist Noel Gallagher so frequently produces incredible moments, which you can hear in this arrangement of the classic Oasis b-side “Listen Up” that he and guitarist Gem Archer performed during a small unplugged tour in 2006. Noel has also stated he has loads of song that he didn’t think were “Oasis tunes”. it’s been rumored that Noel is working on a solo project, of which we’ll definitely keep you posted. as for Liam, while so many claim he’s the lesser talented of the two, his tracks on Oasis’ last few releases speak for themselves. it will be interesting to see what kind of projects he gets involved with… as long as he doesn’t take Jay-Z up on his offer, we’re cool with it. Andy Bell, Ride reunion.. eh? sing us out Noel..

Cos I’ve been sailing down this river alone,
Just trying to find my way back home.
But I don’t believe in magic cos life is automatic,
and I don’t mind being on my own

Oasis – Listen Up (Noel Gallagher Unplugged at Le Cabaret Sauvage, Paris 11.28.06 )
Oas*s – Wibbling Rivalry (Part 1)
Oas*s – Wibbling Rivalry (Part 2)

get familiar

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reviewed by
10-11-09

Hitler’s Reaction to Oasis Breaking Up

epic.

reviewed by
09-02-09

b3sci MIXTAPES: Oasis

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b3sci MIXTAPES: Oasis

01. Oasis – “Thank You For the Good Times”
02. Oasis – “Falling Down”
03. Oasis – “Columbia”
04. Oasis – “Full On”
05. Oasis – “Part of the Queue”
06. Oasis – “Pass Me Down the Wine”
07. Oasis – “It’s Getting Better (Man!!)”
08. Oasis – “Morning Glory”
09. Oasis – “Where Did It All Go Wrong?”
10. Oasis – “Headshrinker”
11. Oasis – “Hey Now!”
12. Oasis – “(It’s Good) To Be Free”
13. Oasis – “Live Forever”
14. Oasis – “It’s a Crime (Let There Be Love Demo)”
get the tunes here

Dearly beloved, it is with a heavy heart and a sad face that I say this to you this morning.

As of last Friday the 28th August, I have been forced to leave the Manchester rock’n’roll pop group Oasis.

The details are not important and of too great a number to list. But I feel you have the right to know that the level of verbal and violent intimidation towards me, my family, friends and comrades has become intolerable. And the lack of support and understanding from my management and band mates has left me with no other option than to get me cape and seek pastures new.

I would like firstly to offer my apologies to them kids in Paris who’d paid money and waited all day to see us only to be let down AGAIN by the band. Apologies are probably not enough, I know, but I’m afraid it’s all I’ve got.

While I’m on the subject, I’d like to say to the good people of V Festival that experienced the same thing. Again, I can only apologise – although I don’t know why, it was nothing to do with me. I was match fit and ready to be brilliant. Alas, other people in the group weren’t up to it.

In closing I would like to thank all the Oasis fans, all over the world. The last 18 years have been truly, truly amazing (and I hate that word, but today is the one time I’ll deem it appropriate). A dream come true. I take with me glorious memories.

Now, if you’ll excuse me I have a family and a football team to indulge.

I’ll see you somewhere down the road. It’s been a fuckin’ pleasure.

Thanks very much.

Goodbye.

NG.

reviewed by
08-30-09

Oasis Break Up – “Talk Tonight”

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“Talk Tonight” was written after Noel Gallagher first left oasis during their ’94 US tour. they weren’t done then, or in 96′ when they started a tour in the states with liam house shopping back home with the misses, they weren’t done in 2000 when noel left the band during their world tour. and there’s more in between, but the point is.. are they actually done now?

hope not. as much slack as this band gets for not being what they were in the 90’s, they are simply one of few, a small handful of bands that can actually still hold it down as a relevant rock and roll band after almost 18 years. should they actually be over this time, it would be a shame. ok – to see noel do a non-accompanied solo tour, neil young style, would be mind blowing. a solo record would be incredible as well. but what wouldn’t be incredible is seeing oasis fall into the “reunion” band category. they’ll do it for the money, fuck the pistols did it, but it’s a sad and uninspiring moment for a band when shit like that happens.

so will another “talk tonight” come out of this break? hope so. it’s clearly one of noel’s best songs ever, and a b-side of course. does any band even have better b-sides than oasis?? either way, to see what happens with the big O in the near future will be an interesting course of events, at least to us. so we’ll keep you posted.

Oasis – “Talk Tonight”

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oasis pre-break ups. fookin’ guigsy, bonehead, mcCarroll.. broken up ever since?

WHY OASIS ARE STILL RELEVANT

OASIS LIAMLESS

OASIS NOELESS

NOEL BANDLESS

rating: infinity
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reviewed by
08-29-09

Oasis – “Falling Down”

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Oasis – “Falling Down”

we live a dying dream, if you know what i mean… still got it.

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rating: Manchester City

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reviewed by
06-24-09

oasis – Full On

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oasis – full on

some dec tunes came from oasis’ standing on the shoulders. and just like be here now, the band didn’t even know which ones.. b side anyone? and fook’ while i’m on SOTSOG.. can’t believe they played this on letterman

reviewed by
06-02-09

Premiere: Green Buzzard – Zoo Fly

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Australian buzz act Green Buzzard will release their debut “Zoo Fly” single through Mermaid Avenue/Mom + Pop in the US on June 16 (on I OH YOU elsewhere). On “Zoo Fly”, the young Aussies wind through a varying sphere of guitar band influence from Oasis to the Stone Roses expertly hashing it down to a unique and modern and very catchy bit of rock songwriting. The track new video, which we are very pleased to premiere, explores further the 90’s aesthetic including a circle of Gallagher-esque poses and body contortions that would make “Our Kid” feel pretty “supersonic”. Stream the B3 Premiere of the video for “Zoo Fly” from Green Buzzard.

Green Buzzard australia (Official)

reviewed by
06-11-15

Review: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds @ The Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles 05/20/15

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On the heels of his sophomore solo album, Chasing Yesterday, Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds returned to Los Angeles recently to play a sold out night at the newly restored Orpheum Theater in downtown LA. The venue itself was the perfect setting for an evening of new age dad rock, timeless songwriting, witty banter, and of course, in typical Gallagher fashion, not giving a fuck.

Rarely, if ever. will you go to a show (sold out or not) without any opening or support act. So leave it to the classic Scrooge of Noel Gallagher to be the one to not even bother with adding another act to the bill. But why should he, his fans will move heaven and earth for just the rare chance to see him. Critics alike can’t resist the opportunity to either admire ‘the talented’ Oasis brother Noel Gallagher, or more traditionally, find a reason to water him down to ‘has been’ status or a derivative melodic thief. Everybody will always want a glimpse at the bluntly worded Brit behind one of the self proclaimed biggest bands in the world. The good news, is that night it felt as if the wake of Oasis had finally subsided and fans were in attendance to see Noel Gallagher, the songwriter, deliver a collection of his favorite songs.

The main set consisted heavily of tracks off Noel’s self-titled debut and freshly released Chasing Yesterday LP. There’s little surprises to what Noel Gallagher does with his live show. While its quite excellent, there’s no frills. Sonically, it’s very reminiscent of ‘Don’t Believe The Truth’ era Oasis onward, his band is a 5 piece of guitars, keys, bass, drums, along with the occasional appearance of a small horn section. That’s about it, Noel doesn’t seem to care much about lights or visuals, or flashy moves on stage, he’s there to share songs. In good pitch and strong voice the seasoned rock star sang his way through solo highlights such as “Everybody’s On the Run”, “Lock All The Doors”, “If I Had Gun”, “Face Of God”, “The Death Of You And Me”. Hearing Noel Gallagher perform solo, you can get a great understanding of where he truly comes from musically. There’s always been an interesting combination of traditional Folk and Punk Rock roots in his instincts and delivery. Much of his new album ‘Chasing Yesterday’ nods toward 70s and 80s inspired Classic Rock like Tom Petty, The Band, Neil Young, and more. While those influences were always there, they sometimes seemed a bit shadowed by his indulgence in Pink Floyd, The Beatles and Stones, The Smiths, Stone Roses, all the usual Brit Classics to which Noel has endured critics’ scrutiny. Chasing Yesterday is surely Noel’s most adventurous genre pushing release to date. The album finds itself peering beyond the vary boundaries that Noel himself has set throughout his career, with arrangements, vocal melodies, and solo sections that you can tell had always been part of Noel’s depths and appreciation, but perhaps were ideas he thought weren’t right to explore on earlier projects. In short, as a follow up to his self-titled debut, Chasing Yesterday manages yet another and more expansive breath of fresh air for the songwriter.

Of course Gallagher snuck a few lesser expected Oasis cuts into the set, such as Noel’s signature rendition of B-side “Fade Away”, and the nostalgic punkier Definitely Maybe classic, “Digsy’s Dinner”. Between tunes there was little talking from Noel, until almost like script, he took cues from friendly hecklers shouting, ‘where’s Liam?!’. Taking in stride (this dude has to have heard that question a million times) Noel would happily banter back ‘who’s Liam’ or would roll into a short story about how he last time he was in LA he found himself having an ‘Extraordinary evening with Marilyn Manson and his brother’. Noel Gallagher’s encore consisted of more predictable Oasis songs like “Champagne Supernova”, “The Master Plan”, and “Don’t Look Back In Anger”. In some ways the encore felt unfortunate, with issue not being that the songs didn’t sound incredible; or that these tunes weren’t great songs, nor that fans were singing along in ecstatic joy to hear them, but more so the idea that perhaps one of the best and prolific songwriters of the last 30 years just might himself finally believe that his greatest songwriting efforts have been achieved. Making you wonder what a title like Chasing Yesterday really means to him.

reviewed by
05-29-15

Bon Voyage – Booshie (Andy Bell Remix)

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World coolest human, the frontperson for recently reformed English band Ride, and bassist for Oasis Andy Bell does a rad 808s-assisted ?remix (who knew A. Bell did remixes???) for Irish now New York-based rap/dance trio Bon Voyage. Do that Andy Bell dance.

Bon Voyage (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
05-12-15

Halloween Vol. IV

It’s that time of year again that B3SCI hooks-up you mad scientists with some seriously cray tricks and treats for your speakers of choice. We invite you to cram your Halloween playlists with this spooky heap of fright-night favorites and freshly minted bangers! Get down to the monster jams below and let’s celebrate everyones favorite time of year for scantily clad gatherings, inebriated celebration and mischievous spelunking.

James Brown – The Bells

MJ – Thriller (Futurewife Remix)

2Pac – Dunwich (Feat. Nas) (Prod. Cookin Soul And DJ Whoo Kid)

The Orwells – Halloween All Year

The Mallard – Ants

PAPERCUTZ – Where Beasts Die (Sweater Beats Remix)

Project 46 – Jigsaw (Project 46 Rework)

The Raveonettes – Evil L.A. Girls

The Cramps – Surfin Dead

Modest Mouse – Sleep Walk (Santo & Johnny Cover)

The Fresh & Onlys – I Would Not Know the Devil

Child’s Play – Theme (ETC!ETC! Rework)

Bananaconda – The Monster Mash

FULL TRACKLIST

James Brown – The Bells
MJ – Thriller (Futurewife Remix)
2Pac – Dunwich (Feat. Nas) (Prod. Cookin Soul And DJ Whoo Kid)
Suicide – Ghost Rider
The Orwells – Halloween All Year
The Mallard – Ants
PAPERCUTZ – Where Beasts Die (Sweater Beats Remix)
Project 46 – Jigsaw (Project 46 Rework)
Ghost Ark & Zaika – Darkness Falls
The Cramps – Surfin’ Dead
The Fresh & Onlys – I Would Not Know the Devil
The Raveonettes – Attack of the Ghost Riders
Modest Mouse – Sleep Walk (Santo & Johnny Cover)
Dirty Beaches – Lone Runner
Child’s Play – Theme (ETC!ETC! Rework)
2pac and Eazy E – Halloween
Bananaconda – The Monster Mash
Those Darlins – Summer’s Dead
Tea Cozies – Muchos Dracula
Psychic Blood – Strain
Cults – The Curse
The Raveonettes – Evil L.A. Girls
Radiohead – The Amazing Sounds Of Orgy
Oasis – Headshrinker
Candice Gordon – Cannibal Love

*Download the full mixtape HERE

Also, check out past Halloween mixes here.

Rating: #BOO!

reviewed by
10-27-12

Victor Talking Machine – Penny Arcade

If you have any sort of affinity towards the brilliance of rock music in the early-mid 90s then you can’t deny “Penny Arcade” by new London collective Victor Talking Machine. These young lads certainly know their way around the last great guitar rock era, and most importantly know so with a great tune. We’re especially loving the Smashing Pumpkins style arrangements and Oasis’ Definitely Maybe tinged vocals. The psychedelic indie rock group have genuienly found themselves a recipe that’s been known to rule charts. Be sure to keep Victor Talking Machine on your radar of bands to watch for and check out the band’s debut EP Had Enough which drops this November.

Victor Talking Machine – Penny Arcade

Victor Talking Machine (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
10-05-12

SHOW REVIEW: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds / The Hours @ Royce Hall, Los Angeles 11/18/11

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Last Friday night at Royce Hall in Los Angeles, The Hours took full advantage of an audience looking for something new in a familiar framework. Like Royce Hall (*see below) and headliner Noel Gallagher, history serves an indicator.

The UK collective fronted by Antony Glenn (former Pulp and Elastica fame to name a few) and Martin Slattery (who shares a connection through collaborations with Joe Strummer) kicked things off with recent single “I Want More.” The song caught the attention of fans stranded in the lobby trying to quickly finish their drinks. The Hour’s opt for Slattery’s multi-sectional musicianship in favor of a traditional bass player. Their blend of pop melodies and driving rhythms conjures an eclectic mix of everything from The Doves, Spoon, The Rolling Stones, and Spiritualized, with even moments Jeff Buckley and his protégés coming to mind. The band’s airtight set consisted heavily of material from their new I Want More EP as well as the band’s It’s Not How You Start, It’s How You Finish US debut. At one point The Hours invited two soulful women to stage to sing a few tracks with them. The audience’s playful approval of hoots and hollering felt most convincing during “Soul Music for Troubled Souls”. It’s the sort of song concerned with bigger messages and overall statements. And in such an economically wounded political environment, something like that might have been why the girl behind me tapped my shoulder to ask who the opening band was. The song drew a welcome response, as the did the band – as well as the bro-Noel banter between tracks. “What’s not to love about Noel” Antony asked? True, but there’s lots to like about watching The Hours. Get familiar and pick up a copy of I Want More.

The Hours – Soul Music for Troubled Souls

The Hours england (Official)

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A musical homage to Noel Gallagher’s mentors played through the house speakers during the sets interlude. It was the High Flying Birds second night in LA on a sold out six city American tour. Having recorded the album in LA, I wondered about Noel’s affinity for American culture? The album artwork on the streets of Los Angeles, the music video in a Pioneer Town like desert world? What role did the west coast play in High Flying Birds? There’s even an American in the band, as Noel himself takes the piss at later in the show. More importantly being a KROQ Presents show, and him being here now with HFB, will Americans find any new inspiration in him?

A variation of “If I Had A Gun” from Noel Gallagher’s forthcoming Amorphous Androgenous collaboration lay stealth in the speakers as the lights soon dimmed and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds took stage. A folky version of early b-side “It’s Good to Be Free” opened the show; offering a fresh take on something classic. Which would set the tone nicely for the rest of the set. In true house band fashion the High Flying Birds performed a majority of their self-titled debut LP near sequentially with several musical intermissions of fan favorites.

Noel looked alive and free of any preconceived notions about his stage presence in Oasis. Standing in the middle of the stage with the conviction of Noel Gallagher, and joining him were four of his High Flying Birds on bass, keys, drums and guitar. Given all of it’s various versions, lead album track “Everybody Is On The Run” sounds even complete with a five piece. Noel’s band sounded great. The back up singing, even finger picking on bass, all the versatility felt just right. But these weren’t hired guns, they each played with style. Noel wears great musicians like he does great songs. But to hear drumming from Jeremy Stacey of The Lemon Trees on songs like “If I Had A Gun” played with the same type of spunk as the early Tony McCarroll… it became clear that this band was a very well fit experience.

“The Good Rebel” first broke the album’s sequence sneaking in before it’s release’s flip-track “Death of You and Me” – a song that really brings out the Ennio Morricone in Noel Gallagher, with it’s ragtime piano and lyric “I’m watching the TV or is it watching me” maintaining there album highlights. New song “Freaky Teeth” followed as the audience got their second taste of what’s to come from Noel in 2012. Similar to the variation of “If I Had A Gun” mentioned earlier, “Freaky Teeth”explores classic rock and psychedelic roads travelled much less if ever by Oasis. To wrap intermission Noel played a pair of near solo acoustic classics. The audience tried to let him sing “Wonderwall” but couldn’t resist on “Supersonic”.

Switching gears back to High Flying Birds the audience adjusted their Gallagher frequency as the sampled sound of children playing filled the atmosphere leading the band into new album’s anthem “(I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine”. In-between songs fans shout for requests as if to indulge in the hilarity of Noel’s retorts. Following “Broken Arrow” Noel mentions that in his head he’d just heard “The Masterplan” the entire time’. Other highlights from the set included High Flying Birds ancestor track, “Half the World Away” and a few extended jam sessions prompting Gallagher to actually introduce each of the band members before ending the set.

The Chief returned to stage with a “thank you so fucking much” for a small encore set of fan favorites before he and his birds took a final bow.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – The Good Rebel

Noel Gallagher england (Official) (Album Stream at Rolling Stone)

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Rating 8.7

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*Royce Hall kind of reminds me of the Soldier Field renovation in Chicago. Circumstances differ but Royce Hall was renovated and redesigned as contemporary within elements of it’s original framework. Add world-renowned acoustics and well I see why the venue fit the evening’s event.

reviewed by
11-22-11