THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 5, 1995 TAG: 9503040044
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICKEY WRIGHT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
WHEN OASIS toured America last fall, two issues followed the band. First, could 1994's British ``next big thing'' - whose debut album, ``Definitely Maybe,'' had entered its home country's chart at No. 1 - duplicate its success in the U.S.? Second, what was up with the Brothers Gallagher, singer Liam and guitarist/songwriter Noel? Press reports had them fighting like cats and dogs, or more to the point, like Kinks siblings Ray and Dave Davies.
With the group members back in the States, playing larger venues such as Virginia Beach's Abyss, where they appear tonight, and watching ``Definitely Maybe'' click with American record buyers, they're on their way to at least moderate fame here. And gossip-mongers have been largely disappointed, as Liam and Noel seem awfully well-behaved this time around.
Rhythm guitarist Paul ``Bonehead'' Arthurs can't even be bothered with the once-standard vehement denials of the Gallaghers' supposed ill will toward each other. On the phone from California in late January, Arthurs merely states, ``They're OK.''
More interested in discussing Noel's work habits, Arthurs says, ``He's always writing, on the bus or wherever; he's always got a guitar.'' In addition to ``Maybe,'' mini-classics of glam-pop revivalism like the current hits ``Live Forever'' and ``Supersonic,'' Noel Gallagher has already penned a number of new songs, among them the recent British single ``Whatever.''
Oasis' rise comes at a time when positive buzz is again surrounding British acts' potential in America. Oasis, Bush and Elastica are all firm favorites on modern-rock radio. Arthurs professes to be unconcerned with their prospects here. The band has previously stated that its heavy touring in the United States makes a breakthrough certain.
``Our attitude is, we could go anywhere,'' says Arthurs. ``We're just goin' out and playin' anywhere. If it goes over, then good. If we don't make it, we can make it somewhere else. We should've been going back to Japan by now.''
Finally, the irresistible question: How does an English guy end up saddled with an Archie-comics kind of nickname like ``Bonehead''?
``How? Oh, God. A long story. It's one of those primary-school stories. Twenty years ago when I was 9, I had long hair - it was cool to have long hair then - and they said, `You're gonna have to have short back and sides.' So the shape of my head showed, and everyone just started calling me that. I don't mind the name.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
SONY MUSIC
Oasis is on its way to moderate fame with ``Definitely Maybe.''
by CNB