"McCarroll Court Latest"

Liam and Noel Gallagher and the rest of Oasis may have to appear in the High Court to defend an action from former drummer Tony McCarroll.

As Nme reported last week, McCarrol is pressing ahead with his action against the band claiming alleged unfair dismissal. Earlier reports that he had already settled out of court for £300,000 are erroneous.

McCarroll is being reporesented by Jens Hills, the solicitor who won a substantial payment for ex-Beatles drummer Pete Best two years ago.

Hills told NME: "The allegations that have been put forward will be tested by a formal hearing of the evidence. In a nutshell, the claim is that Tony was unlawfully expelled from the partnership and they couldn't do that and having unlawfully expelled him, he continues to be entitled to whatever Oasis make."

"At the end of the day the case is all about what the agreement was within the band. It's very hard to see that being determined without everyone who was relevant to that giving evidence as to what they say the agreement was. So we would expect to see all the members of the band, as was, giving evidence."

"I have to say," Hills went on, "that it's something Tony's pursued with extreme reluctance."

Contrary to information in last week's NME, Tony McCarroll has been paid his one-fifth share of royalties for Definitely Maybe and for the other tracks on which he played - 'Whatever' and 'Some Might Say'.

Meanwhile in more Oasis court action, Creation say they've found out how Radio Forth in Edinburgh were able to play the new Oasis single 'D'You Know What I Mean?' before the agreed Radio 1exclusive airing.

The provinical station beat Radio 1 to the punch by hours. Creation say that extensive enquiries by police and themselves have revealed that Forth and Liverpool station City FM made copies of the song when they were given a confidential preview of the track by the band's radio and TV promotions team, Anglo Plugging.

A spokesman for Anglo said: "These two stations were placed in a position of trust and given the privilege of hearing the Oasis single in advance. They have totally breached that trust."

Creation now say they are to take legal action agaisnt the stations for breach of confidence and copyright.

"Tibetan Freedom Concerts CD"

Noel Gallagher...will appear on a three-CD compilation culled from the performances at the 1996 and 1997 Tibetan Fredom Concerts. Due out in the autumn, the compilation, which as yet has no official track listing or title, benefits the Milarepa Fund, the project co-founded by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch and his friend Erin Potts to help the plight of Tibetans who are forced to live under communist Chinese rule. Noel played six Oasis songs at the concert.

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c 1998 Andrew Turner

aturner@interalpha.co.uk

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