The Sound of Brotherly Love: Oasis Reunites After Years of Animosity
The Kinks, the Allman Brothers Band, the Jacksons – every band of brothers has had their disagreements and feuds. But no sibling rivalry has reached the level of rancor found in Oasis, the Britpop band that has improbably announced its reunion after years of animosity, insults, and at least one incident involving a cricket bat.
Here’s a look at the roller coaster career of Liam and Noel Gallagher, two brothers who managed to produce the music of a generation while mostly despising each other.
The Birth of Oasis
Oasis was formed in 1991 in Manchester, England. The constants were the Gallagher brothers: Liam, the lead singer, and Noel, the lead guitarist and songwriter. They soon came to be the most prominent band in the ’90s movement called Britpop, joining groups like Blur and Pulp in producing catchy rock music with a ’60s influence.
Success and Squabbling
In the mid-’90s, Oasis firmly seized the role of "voice of a generation," at least in Britain, with huge hits like "Wonderwall" and "Don’t Look Back in Anger" off their second album, "(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?" But trouble was brewing. In 1994, Noel briefly quit the band after Liam threw a tambourine at his head, Noel said later. More was to come.
The Fighting Continues
In 1995, a bootleg tape of the brothers arguing emerged and was released as a single called "Wibbling Rivalry." On the recording, the brothers bicker over whether "bad boy" behavior helps the band. Liam believed the image was beneficial, while Noel thought the band should stick to music. Things devolved into a shouting match.
In 1995, Noel, maybe angry that Liam had brought back some people to the studio while he was trying to record, or possibly annoyed about a damaged guitar, or both, hit Liam in the head with a cricket bat, both brothers have recounted.
Hit Albums and Canceled Shows
At the MTV awards in 1996, Liam Gallagher was swearing up a storm, knocking over the microphone, spilling beer, spitting, making lewd gestures, and criticizing the lameness of the event as he sang "Champagne Supernova" intentionally off-key, out of rhythm, and with the wrong lyrics.
In a review of the band’s show at Jones Beach on Long Island later that year, the music critic Neil Strauss wrote that while the band was not nearly as famous in America as it was in Britain, Oasis carried on acting like it was: "The singer, Liam Gallagher, acted bored and restless, pacing like a caged animal, scratching himself distractedly, staring blankly at the audience, punching the microphone off its stand, and making bratty faces and gestures whenever he wasn’t singing."
Days later, the tour was canceled after a fistfight between the brothers.
Their Breakup Did Not End the Bickering
Although their cultural prominence was slipping, Oasis maintained a high level of popularity, filling Madison Square Garden in 2005, for example.
In 2009, after technical problems at a show in Manchester, Oasis offered a refund, then criticized fans who tried to claim it. Soon after, Noel quit the band, apparently for good, saying he could no longer work with his brother and citing "verbal and violent intimidation." Oasis was finally over.
But while the band was finished, the feud was not. Liam sued Noel in 2011 over comments Noel made after the split, specifically Noel’s contention that Liam missed a gig because he was hung over; Liam claimed it was because of laryngitis. He also said it was a lie that he had demanded to promote his clothing line in the tour program. The suit was later dropped.
After 15 Years, an Unlikely Reunion
And now Oasis is getting back together, although as recently as last year, both brothers confirmed that they did not speak to each other.
When the Eagles staged a reunion, they nodded at the improbability by calling their live album "Hell Freezes Over." It’s not clear what is less likely than the devil going ice skating, but Oasis reuniting may be it.
Conclusion
The Gallagher brothers have made music that will be remembered for generations to come, but their personal struggles have been just as famous. Their reunion is a reminder that even the most bitter of enemies can find common ground and make beautiful music together.
FAQs
Q: What caused the feud between Liam and Noel Gallagher?
A: The exact cause of the feud is unclear, but it is believed to have started with creative differences and ego clashes between the two brothers.
Q: How many albums did Oasis release before breaking up?
A: Oasis released seven studio albums before breaking up in 2009.
Q: What was the name of the first album released by Oasis?
A: The name of the first album released by Oasis was "Definitely Maybe," which came out in 1994.
Q: Why did Oasis break up?
A: Oasis broke up in 2009 due to "verbal and violent intimidation" from Liam, according to Noel. However, the exact reasons for the breakup are still disputed.
Q: Are Liam and Noel Gallagher still feuding?
A: Despite their recent reunion announcement, Liam and Noel Gallagher still exchange insults and criticisms on social media. However, they have also expressed their desire to put their differences aside and work together again.
