New book from acclaimed photographer Kevin Cummins shows Oasis from their humble beginnings in 1994
Liam Gallagher already had some of his swagger and there were plenty of cigarettes and alcohol on the menu for Oasis early in 1994.
But these unseen photos show the band in the months before they were about to become huge superstars, first in Britain and then around the world. Photographer Kevin Cummins was tasked by Creation records with shooting Liam and the band in different locations to “see what kind of look would suit them” after they signed to the label. In his first ever photoshoot in February of that year Liam already looks a rock’n’roll star. Cummins describes Liam as having “an angelic face back then” when first photographing the band. He added: “It was a perfect look for the British music magazine market – and so it was proven to be.”
The band’s first single Supersonic was released at the end of April 1994 and many of the photos in this book were taken in and around that time. Noel and the rest of the band – Paul ‘ Bonehead ‘ Arthurs, Paul ‘ Guigsy ‘ McGuigan and drummer Tony McCarroll also feature in shots taken in and around Manchester or in London studios. But there are no flash clothes or designer labels, as the band couldn’t afford them. “We looked like any average working-class lads of our age, from our area. Nothing special”, remembers Noel Gallagher.
In other iconic shots by Cummins in May, the band were taken outside and onto the streets of Manchester with Noel and Liam wearing City shirts as well as posing as a duo celebrating like they had scored or knew the band was now winning.
Elsewhere in the book, Noel is asked if Oasis could have existed anywhere else other than Manchester? “Absolutely not”, he says. “We’re Mancuinans. We have a thing. The rest of the world LOVES that thing. Why? F**k knows”.
Man City’s sponsor at the time – Brother – a Japanese electrical company was perfect as the brothers hugged and pretended to fight over a football. Real fights between the Gallaghers both onstage and off would be something that happened later in the band’s story.
Liam and Noel became big Manchester City fans early on in life. Noel recalls in the book his dad watched both City and United but he knew Manchester was blue after his ‘ old man ‘ took him to see City v Newcastle in 1974 in an era when City had fantastic players including Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee.
Noel said: “I do have a clear memory of seeing Bell, Lee and Summerbee play. The stadium seemed enormous to me, and I love the buzz, the noise and the singing”.
Fast forward 50 years and Noel is still going to watch City most weeks of the season home and away and now some of the chants are to the tunes of Oasis songs, whilst Oasis tracks are also played over the Etihad stadium soundsystem before and after games.
Noel said: “It’s a real honour when you see the huge banners and flags with some Oasis reference on them. It’s the ultimate for me. To have the respect of the lads on the terraces is, well, there’s no higher accolade”.
Turning to discuss the current crop of players and City manager Pep, Noel writes in The Masterplan book that he “can’t get his head around” the facts players are Oasis fans.
He added: “Pep is my mate, actually, for real. I love him so much, it’s a f**king joke!. It’s a real privilege to be able to wander in to say ‘ hi ‘ to the lads. It doesn’t get any better”.
Noel and brother Liam will be in Manchester this Summer as part of their Oasis Live 25 tour when they play a number of dates at Heaton Park.
From the original line up, Paul ‘ Bonehead ‘ Arthurs is also expected to be playing guitar on stage but there is no chance bass player Guigsy or original drummer Tony McCarroll will be involved as Tony left Oasis before the second album was recorded. Guigsy no longer plays in any band and lives away from the limelight.
Photographer Cummins discusses the Summer comeback shows in the book.
Asked about the fans meltdown around the Oasis Live 25 ticket sales, Noel said: “I thought it’d be a big deal, but I was a bit taken aback by just how much of a big deal it was”.
He is also quizzed to name his favourite Oasis song but replied: “Can I have more than one? Supersonic, Some Might Say, Live forever and Rock’n’Roll Star”.
All these songs are from early in the band’s career and are now expected to be played when the tour kicks off in Cardiff in July. Some might say apart from their clothes being more expensive, the Gallagher brothers haven’t changed too much from 1994. Football, music and a pint are still amongst the most important things in life.
* Oasis: The Masterplan by Kevin Cummins is out now, published by Cassell.
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