Oasis. Roll With It… or Else

Oasis. Roll With It … Or Else.

Some might say Oasis is an important band and that Noel Gallagher has written some fantastic songs. They sang about being rocknroll stars – and they were. It ain’t bragging if it’s true, lads. The Pistols meet the Fab Four? Kinda. Sorta. Definitely maybe. They literally slugged it out in the clubs and then swaggered their way into every stadium that was big enough to hold them. They had attitude, they were mega, and it was glorious. 20,000 people feeling supersonic, singing every syllable of every word of every song on the set list at the top of their lungs for years. I have witnessed it live and in person – the arena was shaking. I am not kidding. People were going absolutely bat sh*t crazy for the music. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Liam Gallagher’s voice is perfect for so many of the tunes that his big brother Noel wrote. In the most rocknroll way, Liam slides into the notes that he sings. It’s real, raspy, and you can almost hear the cigarettes and alcohol every now and again. Noel’s voice is a bit clearer, I suppose. McCartney to Liam’s Lennon/Lydon? I don’t know – I’m just giving points of reference over here, simmer down. The LAST thing I want is to be a vexation to anyone’s spirit.

Growing up in public can be humbling, especially when you and your brother can’t seem to agree on much of anything. Maybe it was the independent extracurricular chemical research? Maybe it was ego? Maybe it was too much, too soon? No one knows, but things happen and brothers will often act like, well, you know… Cricket bat fights aside, the first two Oasis LPs were stellar. Give them a listen and see what you think. And if the line (pardon the pun), “All your dreams are made, when you’re chained to the mirror and the razor blade,” from the song “Morning Glory” doesn’t make you recall a litany of poorly influenced life choices, then, sadly, you’re not one of us. Has there ever been a cooler rocknroll song written about brotherly love than “Acquiesce,” you ask? The answer is no, by the way. Maybe it’s just words – and a lot of songs are – but the words can take you wherever you want to go, can’t they?

Oasis was on hiatus (i.e. “I hate us”) for about 16 years. Noel had his High Flying Birds and Liam had Beady Eye. They each knew – we ALL knew – that there could be no Oasis without both Liam and Noel. To carry on otherwise would just be a self-important display of maximum ego, unconscionable selfishness, and stupidity. Don’t look back in anger, kids – but why drive a Dodge Dart when you can tool around in a Champagne Supernova? Apparently, the Brits understand things like class, honor, and respect. It must have to do with their ability to excel at things like fine dining, fashion, proper enunciation, and appropriate usage of the dominant seventh chord.

The lads in the combo are back and are currently on tour. Their first gig since 2009 took place in Cardiff, Wales, on the 4^th of July, 2025. They were on top of their game, too. The concert was a joyous occasion on many, many levels. It was absolutely heartwarming to witness the power of their music. Once again, people were feeling supersonic while singing every syllable of every word of every song on the set list at the top of their lungs.