THOUGHTS ON THE OASIS DOC

Oasis documentary Supersonic was previewed in Hollywood Thursday (10/13), and, for reasons unknown, we scored a seat to witness the rise of one the greatest British bands of all time. So what’s the story (morning glory)?

The band went from young wannabe rock stars from a council estate in the British city of Manchester, who wanted Phil Collins’ head in their fridge by the end of the decade, to playing to an audience of 250k over two nights at Knebworth. 4% of the British population applied for tickets (2.6m people), and they could have done seven nights.

The band’s chief writer was Noel Gallagher, while brother Liam was the charismatic frontman. Alan McGee was the first to sign them to his Creation Records in the early ‘90s.

A decade of sibling rivalry, drugs and alcohol ensued, with Oasis kept afloat by wit, talent and gross ambition. Attempts to break the U.S. were encapsulated by one night at the Whiskey in ’94 where the band, blinded by crystal meth, played a shambolic show while reading from different set lists.

A new era arrived after Noel threatened to quit and the business of Oasis got handed over to men in suits. Tension and antagonism is what both drove and killed the band and Knebworth marked the end of a rock'n'roll era.

Supersonic is insightful, real, and a total riot. We highly recommended you check it out in cinemas from 10/26. The doc was directed by Mat Whitecross and producers include those behind the award-winning Amy and Senna, Asif Kapadia and James Gay-Rees.