"Now Guigsy Quits"

Gallaghers hold emergency press conference

Oasis bassist Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan has left the band, just two weeks after rhythm guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs also announced he was quitting.

The shock move prompted Noel and Liam Gallagher to host a hastily arranged press conference to reassure fans that Oasis would still continue as a group and would still release their forthcoming album, on which Bonehead and Guigsy have already recorded their parts. Ironically, Noel has previously announced that the next album will be called "Where Did It All Go Wrong?". At the press conference, held at the London King's Cross Water Rats last week (August 25) and where, ominously, Oasis played their first London gig in January 1994, Noel explained that both Guigsy and Bonehead had left because of family commitments. He said: "They've both got kids, you know. I suppose it's a natural thing that they just don't want to go and leave their families. We've got to respect that... there's no point in us going and kicking his front door in or kicking Bonehead's front door and going, 'You've got to come on tour'. I mean, it might change when we have kids, I don't know, but you've got to respect their decisions as family men."

Noel added that although Guigsy's leaving was a shock, it was probably best that he announced it now rather than in the middle of a tour. Noel continued: "We were a bit shocked at first but we've just got to get on with it really because we've got a record to finish off today and we've got to go and tour it, you know."

Liam added that the band would be touring their forthcoming album around the world in March.

Sources close to Oasis told NME that former Smiths bassist Andy Rourke was already being considered as a replacement for Guigsy but no decision will be made by the band for quite some time.

Noel once declared in 1995 that Guigsy "was Oasis". In fact, he was a founding member of the band, forming the band's precursor Rain in 1991 with Bonehead and original drummer Tony McCarroll. The trio then recruited Liam as lead singer. Shortly afterwards, the band changed their name to Oasis and Noel joined on condition that he be in charge of all music and lyrics. Guigsy has yet to say anything personally on the matter, though Creation released a statement which read: "Bass guitarist Paul McGuigan has informed Oasis he has decided to leave the band. Paul has finished his work on the recordings of the new album and feels now is an opportune time to leave before the band undertakes touring and promotional activities later on this year.

He'd like to thank the fans, as well as everyone he's worked with along the way, and wishes Oasis all the best for the future. The remaining members of Oasis have accepted Paul's decision to leave at this time."

Guigsy had already quit the band once before, albeit temporarily. ln the autumn of 1995, as Oasis embarked on a US tour, Guigs took time out claiming he was suffering from exhaustion. Scott McLeod replaced him, but then left days later and Guigsy rejoined mid-tour.

Previous to that, Tony McCarroll left the band after reports of a fight between him and Liam. He was replaced by Alan White, who, Noel and Liam insist, will be staying with the band for the foreseeable future.

"It's the end of an era and the beginning of a new era," Creation boss Alan McGee told NME."it's just the way things go. I never really knew Guigs the way I knew Bonehead.He's quite a quiet guy. But I spoke to Bonehead on Tuesday, and to be honest he's up to going forward into wherever he goes. He's still emotionally attached to the band. There's no bad blood there whatsoever, I can assure you of that. "The album got finished yesterday, and it's sounding absolutely great. It's Oasis, but it's Oasis in the year 1999. it's different to the other albums, it's a move on and the production's better than it's ever been. It's really beautiful.

"I haven't even thought about replacements yet. They don't have to make any decisions for about three months. They've still got loads of steam. I've spent a lot of time recently with Liam Gallagher and the guy is more alive than almost any other musician I know. He's still 100 per cent totally up for being in a band and being in Oasis. I think if Noel left, Liam would carry on, do you know what I mean? Liam is just living for it. He's on amazing form."

"Some Might Stay"

Noel and Liam promise Oasis will carry on

Oasis hastily arranged a press conference last Wednesday (August 25) at London's Kings Cross Water Rats to confirm that Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan had left the band. Noel and Liam Gallagher faced the nation's press in the venue where Oasis played their first London gig seven-and-a-half years previously.

Oasis were introduced by Jeff Baker, Paul McCartney's publicist. "Liam and Noel have called this press conference to explain to the fans through yourselves about Bonehead and Guigsy leaving the band and also to assure fans, again through yourselves, that the story and the glory will go on."

"We're here to discuss the future of the band - any other questions are not for this moment, they're not for this occasion and we won't be taking them."

Baker then informed the assembled media that questions would be taken one at a time.

Enter Noel and Liam, both resplendent in sunglasses and anoraks. They posed for photographs for a minute before sitting down on the tiny stage. Behind them is a backdrop that looks as though it hails from this period.

Liam: Hello Wembley

Q:When did you hear and what did Guigsy actually say to you?

Noel: "Well in the case of Bonehead, he couldn't commit to the tour or thevideos or anything so it's better that he told us nowinstead of six months down the line when we're on tour. We've pulledenough tours in the past, so it's better that we knownow. We were a bit shocked at first but we've just got to get on with it.We've got a record to finish off today and we've got togo and tour it."

Q:In 1995 you said there isn't a band without him, was it a bit more shocking Guigsy leaving or Bonehead?

Noel: "I wouldn't say one was more shocking than the other, because they've been mates for 15 years it's going to be weird... trying to get a guitarist will be hard enough without trying to get a bass player as well..."

Liam: "And a mate, y'know..."

Noel: "But like I say, if we hadn't just recorded another record we might have though 'Was it the right thing to do? Is it right to carry on?' but we've done the record so we've got to go out and tour it. It's going to be weird but we've just got to get on withit."

Q:How can you reassure your fans that your going to continue?

Liam: "There's two members in the band, y'know. Rehearsing and going on tour. We can't do it yet..."

Noel: "I know that we're lying bastards...but there you go."

Q:Are you going to be replacing both Bonehead and Guigsy and are you going to be touring this year, because originally you said you weren't.

Liam: "We're touring in March. World tour in March. Next year. No, this year...March has gone."

Q:Anything to do with Tailgunner?

Noel: "No, that's got nothing to do with it. That's not my band, it's my mate's band. I've been asked to play drums and that's as far as it goes."

Q:Will you have time to be in two bands?

Noel: "It's only going to take a couple of weeks to record this other album...how are we going to let a band that doesn't exist hold up one that does?"

Q:When did Bonehead actually leave? We heard he left in March but the statement never came out until two weeks ago and when did Guigsy leave?

Noel: "Well Bonehead said he might want to leave in March or April and he left France and had a lot of time to think about it and then he told us two or three weeks ago. We found out last night or the night before about Guigs. But I suppose knowing them like we do, when you've been in a band for that length of time you know something's not right, and we could see it coming but we didn't expect to be sat here today saying this. It's a bit of a bummer, but like I say, the show's got to go on."

Q:Would you rather have made this album with new musicians rather than have to get guys in to play their parts.

Liam: "You take it as it comes, we were planning to make the album as it is, we were planning it with five people but things change."

Q:Why did he want to leave, I mean he said he couldn't do the videos and the tours...

Liam: "We know as much as you, we got the statement...and that's all we know."

Noel: "If someone expresses their wish to leave the band, there's no point in forcing them to stay, because if they don't want to do it, there's no point in making them do it..."

Liam: "We're not social workers, you know what I mean?"

Noel: "We've been left holding a shit sandwich here, but we've just got to get on with it."

Q:Was there any bad blood in the studio?

Noel: "No. Not at all."

Q:You said you heard by statement...

Liam: "Through our manager we heard."

Noel: "We spoke to him on the phone and that. It's not the same as being told face to face, but we're no good att goodbyes..."

Q:104.9 FM, London...

Liam: "What kind of question's that?"

Q:When you're auditioning for replacements what characteristics are you going to be looking for?

Liam: "Well they've got be that taller than me, have nice taste in shoes and a decent haircut, and not Man United fans and of they can do that they're sweet...you're well out of the question!"

Q:Will it change the sound of Oasis?

Noel: "We don't know?"

Liam: "The song remains the same."

Noel: "We don't know until we get into a rehearsal room with them."

Q:What about Johnny Marr?

Noel: "Johnny who? Johnny's doing his own thing at the moment."

Q:Was Guigsy's departure accelerated by Bonehead's departure?

Noel: "I'd say so, yeah. 'Cos he was his best mate..."

Q: Will these two still get proceeds from this new album?

Noel: "No. Oh, the one's who have left? I thought you meant the ones that were coming in...yeah, they'll get their one pound fifty."

Q: Have you two become bigger than the band.

Liam: "What have they got to do with it? We're all taller than the band."

Noel: "No-one is bigger than the band. If they don't want to do it that's it."

Q:Have you not considered that you'd just work together as brothers?

Liam: "We do work together as brothers....If you'd read the statement it just says that they don't fancy touring..."

Q:Just you two without a band?

Noel: "No, Whitey's still in the band. The only reason he ain't here is because he couldn't be arsed getting out of bed this morning."

Liam: "We're a five piece..."

Noel: "What are we gonna call ourselves..."

Liam: "Erasure, or something like that? Bronski Beat?"

Q:How was the recording of the album? Were there any tensions?

Liam: "No, it was really good. You should have been there."

Q:What were the signs that they were going to go?

Noel: "Just that they weren't...they didn't seem into it, a bit subdued. I mean, they've both got kids, you know. I suppose it's a natural thing that they don't want to leave their families. We've got to respect that...it's no use kicking in Bonehead's door and going you've got to come on tour. I mean, it might change when we have kids, I don't know, but you've got to respect their decisions as family men.

Q:You said in 1995 Paul is Oasis? What is Oasis now? Where do you go now?

Noel: "Well, we're going back to the studio - I'm going to get something to eat on the way back - and then we're going to finish off the mixing then we;'re going to go on holiday for a couple of weeks..."

Liam: "And then rehearse."

Noel: "We're not going to rush into anything."

Q:How long do you think it will take to get the five piece back together?

Noel: "Couldn't say, mate, don't know. It's difficult because we don't want to get session musicians in...that would look stupid. We want people who we know..."

Liam: "Who understand..."

Noel: "And there might not be a stampede to join the band because we have a bit of a bad reputation."

Liam: "We've got a couple of months anyway."

Q:Was it the thought of touring with you lot?

Noel: "That's gotta come into it?"

Q: Are you going to end up like Fleetwood Mac with lots of ex members?

Liam: "What, like having a bird?"

At the point the press conference is called to a halt.

"What The Hell Is Going On With Oasis"

The very fact that the Gallaghers felt it incumbent to call a press conference to allay fears that the band is over suggests that something is heartily wrong.

Six weeks before Creation finally got around to releasing a statement that Bonehead had left the band, NME received a telephone tip-off that he was out. The rumour at the time was that the guitarist had rowed with Noel Gallagher at the studio in France and had stormed out. Or been sacked. Either way, a call to Creation elicited a curt denial.

Still, the rumours persisted along the lines that Bonehead, who legendarily likes a drink, had annoyed Noel by boozing around the studio. Noel had managed to talk his brother Liam into not getting hammered to ease the recording of the next album and Bonehead's behaviour wasn't much helping that fraught situation. So Noel had booted Bonehead out. Which upset the rest of the band who wanted Bonehead back. But Noel wouldn't budge. Hence a standoff. Once again, Creation's press office denied there was any friction within the band and put Bonehead's leaving France early down to the fact that he was "moving house".

And still the rumours persisted. Bonehead's earlier drunken arrest at the Tommy Hilfiger shop launch during the London leg of the album recording can't have helped a band whose leader was determined that Oasis avoid all publicity while getting the record made. Stories began to surface of a 3am fight in the studio, of a "cooling off' period - which would explain why, in the midst of recording, the band members suddenly buggered off on holiday while Bonehead languished in Bowden, reputedly making no contact with any other band member for six weeks.

NME's suspicions that all was not well surfaced again when we discovered that a meeting had been hastily called at the Ignition offices of Oasis' manager Marcus Russell - a meeting to include Johnny Hopkins, the band's press officer. This is not usual practice for a band in the throes of recording an album. Three day after this meeting, NME's editor met with Hopkins and asked outright if the Bonehead rumours were true. Hopkins replied in the negative and further stated that if all the rumours about Oasis were true, Eric Clapton would now be Oasis' guitarist. NME supposes Noel is now polishing off the chord changes to 'Wonderful Tonight'.

Within three days of the Hopkins denial, he released a statement that Bonehead was indeed out. Considering that NME's suspicions were right, and Bonehead had left, were the rest of the rumours true? Was the fact that it took six weeks for Creation to make it public simply down to the fact that the rest of the band - including Guigsy couldn't talk Noel into backing down?

Another reason for the delay can be read between the lines of the anodyne statement from Bonehead, which smacked of a deal being struck. It was noticeable that Creation were at pains to make clear that Bonehead had finished his contribution to the new Oasis album before he left. Which means that he gets paid royalties for it. Which means, of course, that the band won't find themselves on the court steps in dispute over payments the way they did after booting out original drummer Tony McCarroll. It should also be noted that the same statement has been made pertaining to Guigsy. ft has been made very clear that he has played on the new album and his contribution has been noted. No dispute = no scandal. It's a done deal, despite the fact that one suspects that Noel, the 'guvnor', had a large hand in the parts both Bonehead and Guigsy played in the studio.

If a row over boozing did precipitate Bonehead leaving Oasis, it's clear from his mutterings that Liam’s not happy about it. And nor, one must assume, was his mate Guigsy. Much has been made of the fact that the bassist already quit once, in 1995, suffering from "nervous exhaustion,' - or excess of weed - to be replaced by Scott McCleod who famously bottled it to be replaced for the Earls Court shows by the returning Guigsy of who Noel said: "He is Oasis. If he leaves, it's over. It's that simple.' Much has also been made of the fact that the Gallaghers have drifted apart from thei bandmates; propelled by their marriages into the world of jet trash celebrity that they once ridiculed. You never saw Guigsy or Bonehead hanging out with the dreaded Spice Girls or All Saints. But Noel and Liam were virtually resident in the Met Bar. From Madchester to Metchester may have been just too long and wanky a journey for Bonehead and Guigsy.

Whether or not there was friction during the recording of the as-yet-untitled fourth Oasis LP, the exit of Guigsy certainly marks the end of Oasis Phase 1; the bunch of mates who took on the world armed with sheer bravado and whose mad-fer-it motto became the guiding philosophy for a whole generation. Those days are gone. When founding members leave bands, the temptation is invariably to replace them with musicians purely because it doesn't make any sense to bring in more muppet mates from back home. Assuming, of course, that you still retain those roots. Despite Noel's protestations that he has teamed from the disaster that ensued when The Stone Roses recruited session musicians to replace founding fathers, the new members of Oasis will of necessity surely be players rather than characters. And while we're on that subject, if that's what Noel thinks of the latter-day Roses, then surely the rumours that Aziz lbrahim has been earmarked to replace Bonehead must be untrue, despite reported sightings of him around the Oasis recording sessions. Ibrahim, after all, replaced John Squire in the final wretched version of the Roses.

But what if, by some miracle, the Gallaghers did manage to recruit a bunch of blokes to rekindle the old gang mentality? They surely wouldn't be that chuffed touring the world playing an album written and played in the studio by their predecessors. That scenario would make for a pretty tired and fractious world tour. The new line-up would surely be gagging to get back into the studio and make their mark.

The new line-up of the band may be dictated by the very nature of the new album. Those who’ve heard it pre-final mix say that it is very "laid-back", to use the words of Supergrass’ Danny Goffey, which would perhaps suggest that it is not best suited to be bigged-up around the world's stadia.

From their demeanour at the Press conference, Noel and Liam are Pretty pissed off with their current situation which is, pretty much, that the show MUST go on. It's no great secret that the British music industry ain't in great shape. It's also no great secret that Creation has been off-loading artists from a roster thbat has significantly failed to deliver any earth-shattering successes. It may be vital to the future existence of the label that the next Oasis LP does the business globally. They most certainly cannot afford to piss-off the Americans any more, having pulled their last tour over there in dramatic circumstances when Liam, and then Noel, stormed off. So the Gallaghers are left saddled with a world tour that will roll into Britain later next year, after kicking off on foreign soil in March. This position of cash cow may not exactly be the place that Noel wants to find himself in right now. There are whispers that he'd rather be experimenting in the studio, following his collaborations with Clinton and The Chemical Brothers, than dragging his arse around the planet. The Beatles stopped touring when they got so muso that they decided the plebs in the audience didn’t fully appreciate them, and let’s face it, Lennon has been Noel’s constant blueprint.

He and Liam are also both expecting firstborn; and Noel alluded to the fact at the press conference that the pressures of touring on parenthood was a principal reason for both Bonehead and Guigsy leaving the band.

Whatever, the very fact that the Gallaghers felt it incumbent to call a press conference to allay fears that the band is over suggest that something is heartily wrong. And the fact, revealed at the press conference, that Guigsy had informed the management by phone rather than discussing it with the Gallaghers suggests a critical breakdown in personal communication between members of the band.

The suspicion is that, whatever the Gallaghers decide to do (and it is their decision, Alan White is just a hired hand who wasn't even called upon to make a show Of solidarity at the Press conference), it will only be a short-term solution. Surely it's only a matter of time before Noel decides to go solo - he's a drummer too now, remember and sheds the responsibility for a band that has gone from his passport to stardom to a weight around his neck.

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c 1999 Andrew Turner

aturner@interalpha.co.uk

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