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Oasis 10 Years Later

Hey Soul Mates,
here's an odd anniversary for you from my musical recollections.

There have been many influences on my music and my desire to perform. But one major experience reaffirmed my need to be in a band: seeing Oasis perform live at the Palace on Vine, 3 Feb 1995. I had picked up their disc at the (now defunct) Blockbuster music on Vine St. It was the first time I ever listened to a new CD at a store before buying it. I had seen the disc at shops, but it wasn't until I saw them on the cover of the first copy of MOJO I bought that it clicked. The article was entitled "The Band You've Always Wanted!" This was the vanguard of Britpop which lead me to blur, Pulp, Supergrass, Manic Street Preachers and many others. It also revived my love of the Kinks and the Beatles (on the cusp of the Anthology releases). While my writing doesn't particularly resemble that of any of these groups, they certainly were a motivating factor. From the opening blast of Rock 'n' Roll Star, through the beautiful Live Forever and the grinding Cigarettes and Alcohol I was hooked. I couldn't get enough of their CD & import singles. Naturally, I wanted to see the live act.



Oasis was my first real mosh pit experience. It was the first time I was ever kicked in the head at a concert. The show was put on by KROQ and tickets were only $10.67. The show had sold out, so I had to go to a broker and pay a then-whopping $35 to see them.

Oasis basically played Definitely Maybe front to back, adding I Am The Walrus as a set closer. The live show was pretty much a note-for-note version of the record, but performance was solid. Not much action on stage either, but truckloads of attitude. Brilliant. I hung out at the Palace (now called Avalon) for a while after the show to soak up the atmosphere. As a result, I actually got to say hello to Noel Gallagher and tell him it was a fantastic set. Knowing what I know of him now, I'm surprised I didn't get punched.
But, he was polite and that formed my personal opinion of them. Recently, I revisted their first 3 records. I had forgotten the impact that group had on me. Insane hooks, lots of flair and controversy; they are true rock and roll stars. Even now, as their star waxes and wanes, I still hold Oasis in a special place in my memory. Supersonic, Mates.

Love, Power, Peace



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