Following the news that Oasis are set to reform next year, Liverpool’s Head of UNESCO City of Music, Kevin McManus, writes about how the legendary Manchester band has a lot to thank Liverpool for…
The world seems to have gone mad with the news that Oasis are reforming for a series of gigs next summer. With that in mind I thought it was an ideal time to rehash my theory that although Oasis are always considered to be a Manchester band, they are actually a group that was very much made in Liverpool.
I’m sure some readers are already shouting at the screen or sending abusive messages but please hear me out. I’ve worked in pop music academia before and I reckon I can get a book and several international conference appearances out of this ‘theory’ so I’m going to take this as far as I can! I know technically the Gallaghers were born in Manchester and all that mundane stuff, but the reality is that deep in their hearts they love Liverpool and I’m sure they’d dearly love to be scousers…! I’m not just saying this to be provocative (although of course that’s always fun) but because I believe that a short examination of the facts shows that it’s true.
Let’s start with the obvious: there’s the clear obsession with The Beatles. Even the recent Richard Curtis film Yesterdayhas a little joke at Oasis’ expense. The premise of the film is that the main character wakes up one day to find out that The Beatles have been wiped from the world’s collective memory. Then when he goes on to google Oasis he finds there’s no sign of them either because obviously without The Beatles there’d be no Oasis. Alright it’s a cheap shot but still kind of funny.
But what can’t be denied is that Oasis do have a history that is closely entwined with Liverpool and this I can definitely verify because I was around and met them several times in various Liverpool venues and pubs.
I first met Noel, Liam and the original Oasis line up when I was DJing at Le Bateau, one of my all-time favourite clubs. Local legend Digsy had a band called Small at the time and they were playing that night. Digsy turned up with his cousins Chris and Tony from The Real People. I knew The Realies(fellow Bootle boys) well and so when Chris asked me if these Manc lads who were hanging out with them could do a short set using Small’s gear I said yes. I didn’t actually have the authority to sanction this and I annoyed a few people because it meant extra work but I was so glad I’d agreed. On a tiny makeshift stage with borrowed gear they delivered a storming 20 minute set that I remember featuring early versions of the likes of Rock and Roll Star and Cigarettes and Alcohol. That was the first time I got to meet Noel and Liam. Liam was hilarious and clearly already thought he was a star.
That was their first Liverpool gig but the connection with the city was already made. It went back to when Noel was a roadyfor the Inspiral Carpets who toured with The Real People as their support. Friendships were forged and when Noel joined what was initially Liam’s band then calls were made and The Real People offered the use of their recording gear based in their rehearsal room on the Dock Road. Tony and Chris loved what Oasis were doing and wanted to help out.
Obviously Digsy doesn’t disappear from this story here either. Noel and Liam continued to sing the praises of both Digsy’sband Smaller and the Real People as their own career took off offering them support slots at prestigious gigs and famously featuring a song entitled Digsy’s Dinner on their first album.
Anyway a month or two after I’d seen Oasis make their Liverpool debut they were back to do their own show at Le Bateau. Shortly afterwards they were famously spotted and signed by Alan McGee and the next time I saw them was supporting The Real People at the Krazy House. A friend of mine who was doing some work with The Real People at the time asked me to stage manage the gig. I know nothing of any practical value around staging gigs so I must have looked taken aback that someone was entrusting me with such an important job. But then he explained that basically I just needed to get the three bands playing that night on and off stage on time. I was pretty sure that even a man of my limited abilities could probably manage that so I agreed. My first job on the night was to go and tell Oasis to go on at the hideously early time of 930. I’d met the band a few times by that stage so they were dead friendly which was just as well because I’m sure my request to get on stage at 930 was a very timid one rather than the firm order it should have been. ‘Alright Kev’ was Noel’s response and as good as gold they were on stage just before the assigned time and played a blistering set. This was Oasis at their very best: a band who knew they were coming in to their own.
The next time I had a real interaction with Oasis was just after they’d announced themselves to the world with a stunning debut TV performance of Supersonic on Channel 4’s The Word. That was broadcast on the Friday night and I met them on the Monday to do an interview for a magazine in the studio in London where they were doing the final mixes on the album. This interview gave them what I believe was their first ever magazine cover and it was for a Liverpool publication. I had a ball with them that afternoon. Noel really looked after me constantly making me cups of tea, getting the record company to pay for my taxi back to the station, having a go at his brother, and generally giving a really good interview. Liam was … well, just Liam really. Hilarious, quite loud but very sweet. Their Mum called while I was there and from what I remember it was to check that they had clean clothes with them.
I saw Liam just after the interview was published and he punched me in the arm and said he’d really liked it. I think he meant it!
The next time I saw them live was as they were really beginning to take off and Creation put them on a tour of small venues which all quickly sold out. I saw them in April 1994 at the Lomax on Cumberland Street. There was a real buzz about them by this stage so everyone connected with the music scene in the city was there to see them and they didn’t disappoint. Everything was in place by this stage and the Oasis myth had really begun to grow. I only ever saw them live once more as far as I can remember on their next tour which was in much bigger venues and again sold out quickly. They played the Royal Court in December, although I seem to remember the original gig was cancelled for reasons which I can’t remember now, but the band already had a reputation for being pretty volatile. I remember being around for the soundcheck that day and Lee Mavers of The La’s turned up.
One time La’s drummer and General Good Lad, Chris Sharrock eventually joined Oasis and then drummed for both Gallagher brothers’ solo projects at various times. Russ, Noel’s bass player in the High Flying birds is another Scouser and ex-Zuton and, as far as I’m aware, Noel’s long term guitar tech is yet another Liverpool lad, Mick Winder, who worked with The La’s and other Liverpool bands down the years. So I’d argue that Noel is making up for his not actually being from Liverpool by surrounding himself with people from the city.
It was notable when Noel was the guest on Jools Holland TVshow and when asked to pick out four or five of his favourite appearances on the show he chose Liverpool artists The Coral and The Zutons.
It seems like Noel always likes to come to Liverpool too. He plays here on most of his tours, comes to watch Man City when they play at Anfield and pops unexpectedly too. I remember when at the height of Oasis fame he turned up at the Picket to see Smaller play. He was so famous by that time he had to spend most of his time hanging out with the band and their mates but as I recall a good time was had by all. And Noel was good enough to get the ale in too.
I could expand my theory more but I want to save some of the good stuff for the forthcoming book. In short ladies and gentlemen I think I’ve proved that Oasis are essentially a Liverpool band or at the very least wish they were one. My work here is done. I rest my case.
