Noel Gallagher Hosts Press Conference, Two New Records On The Way

As you may have noticed, we've been enjoying the Oasis offshoot Beady Eye quite a bit. That being said, we have to admit that the absence of Noel Gallagher was a bit bothersome. Not only was Noel responsible for most of Oasis' greatest songwriting, but he's also got a killer set of pipes, and plays some amazing lead guitar. Not to mention that his restrained sense of cool adds a nice counter balance to his brother Liam's frontman showmanship. Given that, we were more than a little stoked when we heard that Gallagher had planned a press conference to reveal the details about a forthcoming project for later in the year.

While you can watch the whole conference stream via youtube (above), we'll give you the basics here. In short, the always-prolific Gallagher has penned two albums for the coming months. The first is entitled Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, and features a backing band of the same name. That record drops on November 8th. The second is an untitled collaboration with Amorphous Androgynous, and drops sometime next year. The announcement also confirmed that the band will be touring in support of the new record, and for that, you can count us among the very, very, excited.

mp3: Oasis - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is (Noel Demo Version)

Oasis Reforms Sans-Noel As Beady Eye

So it seems that this time it's for real. Noel Gallagher, one half of Oasis' infamous brothers, left the band a while back, and in response many rolled their eyes. Noel has "left" the band a number of times, but this time it appears it's for real. How do we know? Well, the rest of the band has gone and started a new endeavor, record included, called "Beady Eye".

Featuring the current Oasis lineup, sans Noel, Beady Eye is coming to bear with a full length entitled Different Gear, Still Speeding, which drops on the 28th of February next year. In the meantime, the band have dropped the lead single "Bring The Light", complete with a nice shiny new video (above).

The track is right in line with recent Oasis records, and (as would be expected) in the vein of Liam's recent forays into composition. Unless you're a Noel devotee, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Liam's voice sounds top notch, and the track is a straight-ahead, organ driven rave-up. If every track on the record is this straight ahead, it could get a little tiresome, but as a first single, it's totally solid. For the rest, well, we'll have to wait and see.

mp3: Beady Eye - Bring The Light

Oasis Release Noel Solo Acoustic Gig Via iTunes

Picture from the HAD Archive

We're generally skeptical of the iTunes DRM-encased monolithic ridiculousness, but there are times when we make exceptions. Specifically, when iTunes has something we can't get anywhere else, and we want it really, really, badly. Case in point: The new Oasis live record Dreams We Have As Children.

You may recall that a while back we mentioned the disc was being given away in UK papers. We were a tad jealous, to say the least. Well now the band has done the rest of the world a solid, and made the disc available via iTunes. Granted, you have to pay $11.99 to snag it, but the upside is a 16-track album that looks to kick some massive ass.

Specifically, it's a Noel-fronted solo acoustic show that's got something for everyone. B-sides, the hits, new songs, old songs. In short, it's killer. For even sometimes-fans, we gotta say this is gold. And, for those haters out there (you know who you are), it still might be worth checking out: Oasis songs take on a totally different quality with Noel singing, and in our opinion, a better one. You may find yourself digging it more than you think.

Oasis - Dreams We Have As Children Tracklist
1. (It's Good) To Be Free
2. Talk Tonight
3. Fade Away
4. Cast No Shadow
5. Half The World Away
6. The Importance of Being Idle
7. The Butterfly Collector
8. All You Need Is Love
9. Don't Go Away
10. Listen Up
11. Sad Song
12. Wonderwall
13. Slide Away
14. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
15. Don't Look Back In Anger
16. Married With Children

Oasis Drop "Falling Down" EP, Remix 12", and Free Live Collection

We're not usually much for EPs that cram themselves full of unneeded remixes and then try to bill themselves as being full of "new" material. That being said, we somehow find ourselves more than willing to accommodate the new Oasis EP and 12" for "Falling Down".

For one, you get the demo version of the title track, and for another you get the unreleased B-Side "Those Swollen Hand Blues". Typically, that alone would be enough to convince us of the purchase. Oasis demos and b-sides are, frankly, as good as their full records. However, the releases also contain a number of remixes, about one of which Noel Gallagher has indicated "All superlatives will apply". Frankly, that's enough to get us to listen.

Apparently not wanting to come off too strong as trying to make a buck, the band is also dropping some tasty free content as well. They've released a video for "Falling Down" (above), and released a free live album in the UK, featuring a whole bunch of live Noel solo tracks. We're a bit partial to Noel's vocals, so this one is must have for us as well.

If you're curious about the new B-Side, you can check out the link below. Stereogum name checked the Beatles on first listen, but we're a bit more inclined to reference solo Lennon. Sure, Oasis Beatles' love is always out there on their collective sleeves, but this track just seems a bit more stripped down in a way that reminds us far more of Plastic Ono Band. Give a listen, let us know what you think.

mp3: Oasis - Those Swollen Hand Blues (zShare, click through)

All The Oasis Video Your Little Heart Can Handle

It's been a while since we last looked in on Oasis, but since we saw them in December, the band has been busy. Not only have they released a video for their latest single, "Falling Down", but they've also released a documentary of their efforts to debut their last album with street performers on the streets of New York. The former is frankly a bit bizarre, while the latter is quite entertaining. Check out both vids below...

New Oasis EP Drops: Apparently These Days "Unreleased" Means Remixes and Demos

Image from the HAD Archive

It's a sad day kids: apparently long gone are the days of Oasis singles being graced with multiple fantastic B-Sides. We don't know if it's a change in record company policy, or if the band simply isn't feeling as prolific, but it's downright frustrating.

News came over the wire today of a new Oasis EP for the track "Out Of Time", from their latest Dig Out Your Soul. The press release touts four additional "unreleased tracks". Unfortunately, those tracks consist of the demo for "Out Of Time", along with remixes of "Shock The Lighting", "To Be Where There's Life", and the title track.

Now, don't get us wrong: remixes are all well and good, and it is an iTunes only release, so it's "official" status is debateable. Still, we just don't like the bullshit factor being so high, especially for a band whose track record of B-Sides borders on legendary.

Oasis Played Oracle Arena - Setlist, Pics, Review

Following Ryan Adams' solid opening set, Oasis took the stage at Oracle Arena to deliver a set that fulfilled all the hype, pomp, and showmanship that one would expect from one of the world's most mega rock bands. The lights were big, the set was big, the video screens were big - all of it was designed to be larger than life and completely wow the crowd. What's more, the setlist was a fantastic blend of the band's material over the years, and even included a few treats for the diehards.

It was actually quite remarkable how easily the band jumped from old material, to new, and back again. Despite the fact that the band's records have taken on a decidedly darker production aesthetic in the past few years, they've clearly been putting in the time to make sure that they can deliver on all the classics as well - material from Definitely Maybe sounded just as solid as anything off the recent records.

In many ways, Oasis' US gigs are doomed to be greatest-hits affairs: most Americans aren't super familiar with the deep album cuts, and moreover they pay money to see those well known tunes. That being said, given the infrequency of Oasis' touring in the US, that's not necessarily a bad thing: it is really and truly great to see the band rock out to "Morning Glory" under a full bath of lights with 6' guitar cabinets roaring away.

Even in light of delivering the hits, the band did manage to slip something in for the die hard fans (of whom there were many). They performed both "The Masterplan" (best known as the title track of the band's B-Sides collection), and "Slide Away" - a seldom played track from Definitely Maybe. It's nice to see a band that is so thoroughly an "arena act" still have the awareness and promotion of their rarer material. Although with a library of b-sides and rarities as rich as Oasis', it's easy to see why they would do so.

The only disappointing moments in the set for us were a somewhat half-hearted "we have to do this" version of "Wonderwall", and the closing of the night with "I Am The Walrus". In both cases it felt more like a band doing what was expected, as opposed to what came naturally. And still, a slightly weak version of two songs out of the whole night is hardly a damning report. We walked away feeling more than satisfied by the set. Oasis delivers absolutely what you'd expect from them: loud, unadulterated, unabashed rock and roll. And we loved every minute of it.

Setlist:
Fucking In The Bushes (Intro)
Rock N' Roll Star
Layla
The Shock Of The Lightning
Cigarettes And Alcohol
The Meaning Of Soul
To Be Where There's Life
Waiting For The Rapture
The Masterplan
Songbird
Slide Away
What's The Story (Morning Glory)
Ain't Got Nothin'
Importance Of Being Idle
I'm Out Of Time
Wonderwall
Supersonic

Don't Look Back In Anger
Fallin' Down
Champagne Supernova
I Am The Walrus

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

Oasis And Ryan Adams Kick Off North American Tour At Oracle Arena Tonight

We're guessing that if you're planning on going to this show, you probably don't need to be reminded. You already have tickets, and are most likely barely concentrating on whatever it is that you're supposed to be doing this afternoon. But, just in case, here's one last reminder: tonight will be host to a super rock blowout over at Oracle Arena as Ryan Adams and The Cardinals join Oasis for a night of rock massivity. The show kicks off two weeks of a North American tour for the two bands, leading right up to Christmas. Be there or be square.

Ryan Adams And The Cardinals and Oasis, Winter 2008 Tour:
December 3 - Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
December 4 - Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
December 6 - The Pearl, Las Vegas
December 8 - Broomfield Events Center, Denver, CO
December 10 - Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
December 12 - Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL
December 13 - Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit, MI
December 15 - John Labatt Center, London, ON
December 17 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
December 19 - Susquenhanna, Camden, NJ
December 20 - GMU Patriot Center, Washington DC

Oasis Debuts "Out Of Time" Video

We're just going to warn you kids: this is shaping up to be a day full o' video, so hold onto your hats. Here we're focusing on the latest from Oasis' awesome new record Dig Out Your Soul. The band is apparently going with "I'm Out Of Time" as the next single. The vid is a little trip through black and white fantasy land, complete with giant Gallagher brother, dragonflies, and turntables. Click above for the tasty bits.

Oasis + Ryan Adams = Love

Cheeky picture stolen from pitchfork

So, were you a little annoyed that Oasis only toured in Canada? And did you kind of want to see that Oasis/Ryan Adams double bill because it sounded like it kicked a huge amount of rock and roll ass? Well, you're in luck: Adams and the Gallaghers will be reuniting to the band's North American tour, and here in the Bay Area they'll be making a stop at the Oracle Arena on December 3rd. Yes, we're as psyched as you are, despite it being in that gigantic concrete monolith. I mean, come on, for a show this big the arena vibe is almost suitable, no?

Tickets go on-sale this Friday, pre-sale is tomorrow. Password is "OASISINET"

BONUS: Stream the new Ryan Adams' tune "You Picked Me Up". Great!

Oasis' Dig Out Your Soul Has Leaked

We've been waiting a while for this one, and from what we've heard so far, it's sounding pretty good. Oasis' new album Dig Out Your Soul has been leaked to the world wide internets. Music Induced Euphoria has some tracks, and Stereogum has a full review. Us, well, we're still waiting to hear the whole thing, being afraid of the RIAA and all. :(

New Oasis Vid - "Shock The Lightning"

Want to snag a view into some psychedelic goodness of Oasis' latest single from their upcoming Dig Out Your Soul? Go here to check the new video for "Shock The Lightning". Thanks to Stereogum for the tip.

New Oasis Track For Your Delight

We here at H.A.D. have been pretty partial to Oasis' recent (and we think criminally underrated) albums: Don't Believe The Truth and Heathen Chemistry were both killer efforts that demonstrated the band's new found collaborative focus, and escaped something of a rut for the band's sound. In 2006, we enjoyed catching the documentary Lord Don't Slow Me Down in a sneak preview at the Embarcadero Center, but since then we haven't heard much from the band.

Well, that's all about to change: In addition to a fall tour, the band has a new record on the way, Dig Out Your Soul. Last week, there was some noise as a Chemical Brothers remix of one track was leaked. Well now the actual track has been leaked, and we like what we hear. "Falling Down" is a hazy, psychedlic jam that manages to pack a lot of punch while at the same time remaining completely subversive and chill. Yes, we're looking forward to hearing the rest. Indeed.

mp3: Oasis - Falling Down

Oasis To Tour With Ryan Adams and The Cardinals

Currently there's only one US show announced, but rumor has it that this is the beginning of a cross-country arena tour for the kings of brit-rock. As huge fans of Oasis, we'd already be trying to get into this show, and the announcement of Ryan Adams and The Cardinals as tour opener only further cements our desire to check it out. Details forthcoming with (hopefully) a Bay Area date in the works.... If you are inclined to head up to Seattle or Vancouver for the show, there's a pre-sale in the starting tomorrow at 10 AM here. Password is "OASISINET".