Was Oasis the biggest band in the world?

Lots of kids at school and around my town had the first 2 Oasis albums.
I was the only one who had the Anthology releases.

 

Like others who were just as 'big dicks'? So we must all respond to Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Kurt Cobain and all the other a**holes the same?

 

Close. Blur have sold over 5 million albums (including their greatest hits) in the UK.

 

Hehe, typical Noel talk, he said something like if you tell everyone that you're in the greatest band in the world, 50 percent is going to believe you.

 

Their first 2 albums are solid, the second one being my favourite britpop album by anyone.
The next one is not as good but does have some incredible tracks like She Falls, Magic Hour and Beat Mama.
Their 4th album, as John Powers said himself should've been a solo record. It's nothing like Cast at all and pretty much killed off the band.
Thankfully they've reformed since.

 

That's nowhere near true. Morning Glory is listed as 14x platinum, the Spice Girls are at 10.

 

He described seeing Cast as being like a religious experience.

I saw them when they were touring after the 2nd album. They were great live.
I don't know what they were smoking that night, but they were the only band I've ever seen where the songs were played slower than the album versions.
They really could groove!

 

Nice story!

The best stuff is certainly on that debut album, but if I was to suggest a "Top 5 not on that album that are worth checking out" it would go like this-

Flying (single)
Compared To You (from Magic Hour)
Dreamer (from Magic Hour)
Follow Me Down (Alright single B side)
Free Me (from Mother Nature Calls)

 

Those others weren't arrogant and egotistical about their music in public the same way.

But of course they all had big egos.

 

Yes but you're not including The Spice Girls oven-ready chips and strawberry flavour lipsticks.
When these are added to album sales, there's no doubt who's wearing the trousers. (Geri, obvs)

When it comes to Girl Power vs Manc Power, it's a case of 'STFU, our kid'

 

Oooh. Gratefully received list, la!

 

That is like saying since Hootie could play to large crowds in South Carolina they still matter.

 

Noel is arrogant but witty, which takes the edge off it.

Liam does come off as something of a twat though.

 

They had a rivalry with Blur and, to be honest, Blur’s first album Leisure was better than anything Oasis released. Oh, and, no, Oasis were not the biggest band in the world. These guys were a bunch of ego maniacs and their own self-importance as if they’re the only band to play rock music always sickened me.

 

I think we're seeing a different (better) Liam just lately. I don't know if it's the responsibility of now putting out music in his own name rather than hiding behind a band, or whether he's just getting a bit older and wiser, but the Liam of the past 4 months is a different beast to before.

 

Objectively this is clearly false. Leisure is probably Blur's worst album.

Why does being an ego manic disqualify them?

Something a lot of people are ignoring in this topic; 95/96 who was the biggest band in the world?

 

I can't speak for the whole world, but in the UK in 95-96, Oasis captured the cultural zeitgeist like no-one musicians since that other bunch of hairy working class herberts from up the River Mersey.

And around the time of their Knebworth shows, it really felt like this was a phenomenon the likes of which we had never seen before.

Some of their sheer presence in the UK was down to tabloid press coverage. Our rags loved the antics of the 'brawling, boozing, Gallagher brothers', and they loved the attention. It all got out of hand at the height of their fame, when News of the World ambushed them in Dublin with their hated father (a man who used to beat Noel, his mm and his brother Paul regularly, and who they hadn't seen since their mum booted him out). Around the BHN era, Oasis couldn't move without a load of journalists and photographers getting all up in their faces. That sort of thing is very tough for anyone to handle.

So some of their popularity was down to hype, but there's no arguing with their sales numbers.

 

I don’t give a crap about objectivity when it comes to music. I’m just giving an opinion. What it sounds like to me is you want me to admit that Oasis were the ‘biggest band in the world’ and just nod my head along with yours. Sorry, not going to happen!

 

Clearly not just the UK. (What's the Story) Morning Glory? sales:

• BPI: 14× Platinum[7]
• ARIA: 8× Platinum[36]
• BVMI: Gold[37]
• IFPI SWE: Platinum[26]
• IFPI SWI: Gold[27]
• MC: 8× Platinum[28]
• RIAA: 4× Platinum[29]
• RIAJ: Platinum[38]
• RIANZ: Platinum[39]
• SNEP: Platinum

Which bands had that kind of success in '95?

 

I saw Oasis in a small venue in Bristol (the Fleece and Firkin) around the time of Supersonic
The gig wasn't especially well attended and I had only a slight idea of who they were at the time.
Liam, in this intimate setting managed to annoy the bar staff which was a big mistake in that venue.
They didn't get a good reception but I was taken by two songs which would later be a single, 'Live Forever' that I somehow missed (may have been out of the UK) and the other "Champagne Supernova' being the one Oasis song I'd have if you were insistent.
At the time, I got the attitude towards them I still have based on
1. Voice too monotonous in a continuous sneer and annoying stage presence (Liam)
2. The Rutles were better (they also have played the Fleece and Firkin) at doing The Rutles.

They're one of those bands who are best heard not seen (Robbie Williams being prime candidate. I loved his records but as soon as I'd see a video, I'd give myself a slap.)

And then there's the mouths. Jesus, it's entertaining sometimes but annoying the next minute and you'd think both of them had actually been Beatles or something to hear their self-satisfied smug mugs.

But, as someone else says, this is all PART OF THE APPEAL

 

I didnt ask you to nod your head, I asked for who you think was the biggest at that time. No need to get upset about it.

 

Well though I was taken aback a bit when I first was around it, I think it was a lot like Cobain was.
They're young, doing their thing, unfiltered, then suddenly half the world is hanging on their every word.

Think about some of the things you've said, altered or sober, in your early 20s.
Then imagine plastered in every magazine and newspaper around.
But that's what goes with fame and success, and needless to say, none of them are ready for it.

 

The One Direction of their time.

 

And One Direction were prettier!

 

I really liked Cast, as well, although I prefer the second and third albums, to that big debut.