Oasis Biography

Oasis are an English rock band that formed
in Manchester in 1991. The group was formed by Liam Gallagher (vocals),
Paul Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass) and Tony McCarroll (drums), who
were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar).
Oasis have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, and have had eight
UK number one singles. The Gallagher brothers are the band's leading
songwriters and the only continual members. The present lineup is completed
by rhythm/lead guitarist Gem Archer and bass guitarist Andy Bell, rounded
out by as-yet unofficial drummer Zak Starkey.



The band
initially gained prominence performing on the Manchester club circuit. They
were signed to independent record label Creation Records and afterwards
released their debut album Definitely Maybe in 1994. The following year,
the band recorded (What's the Story) Morning Glory? with their new
drummer Alan White, whilst rivalling with Britpop peers Blur in the charts.
The Gallagher brothers were featured regularly in tabloid newspapers for
their sibling rivalry and wild lifestyles, cultivating reputations both as
bad boys and as a band of the people. At the height of their fame,
Oasis' third album, Be Here Now (1997), reached number one in the UK
charts, number two in the U.S. and also became the fastest-selling album in
UK chart history, with almost half a million copies sold on the first day
alone and with sales of just under 700,000 copies in its first week.



While recording their fourth album Standing on the Shoulder of
Giants in 2000, Oasis lost two founding members and suffered a notable
decline in popularity in America. The band added replacements Gem Archer
and Andy Bell for Heathen Chemistry (2002), which was commercially
successful and well-received among fans. In 2005, their sixth album
Don't Believe the Truth with Zak Starkey, despite turbulent recording,
became their best-selling and best-received album in a decade. The
following year, the band released a compilation album entitled Stop the
Clocks. In February 2007, Oasis received the BRIT Award for outstanding
contribution to music. The band are presently working on their yet to be
titled seventh studio album, which is tentatively due out in September
2008.