Yikes? a Friday 13th publication here from 1996......
The world it seems has gone OASIS mad for it, as soon as the 2025 tours were announced a wave of Brit Pop nostalgia hit, with CD's being dusted off and Youtube clips of the band rocketing, Definitely Maybe.
I've never been a Sun newspaper reader, but its fair to say that some of their front pages have been iconic. My grandad read it - amongst other newspapers, an excuse for some exercise, he'd take his Jack Russel walkies down the parade to the newsagents. I must admit aged 10ish, I would on occasion tear the page 3's out, there was a pile of newspapers under the kitchen sink so when my nan: polished his shoes, peeled spuds or started a log fire the papers served a second life. I'd sift through the pile of tabloids take the tear offs out into my grandparents garden and ogle them in my bivouac - I was 10!
As I've mentioned before Anglozine has an extensive collection of journals and zines. Back in 1996 the Blowasis cover jumped out, the UK and possibly the world was on tenter hooks that the band might finally split. Tales of the fighting brothers had been well publicised for months and seemingly reaching boiling point. So I bought the newspaper solely for the cover and dropped it the archive.
I recently gave this very copy of The Sun newspaper to a London based artist on a meteoric rise. The issue was exhibited alongside a mixed bag of The Sun covers- proof then it seems that the covers still resonate in pop culture today, much like Oasis music.
The band of course did not split up in 1996, it was just the first major falling out with the Gallagher brothers, and the cancellation of the highly anticipated U.S tour. The thoughtful and supportive journalists at The Sun newspaper were merely adding kerosine to the fire.
A couple of things that really stand out from these two covers The Sun 1996 & The Evening Standard (a London focused daily newspaper) 1997, firstly it presents Noel on the cover and not branded trouble maker sibling Liam. Secondly with almost a year apart Noel has still got his red & white kagool on.
For those of you outside of the UK, people from the north like their 'coats'. If they wear one they may never take it off, even at a party or a pub, rest assured they are there for the duration. The Northener is not being intentionally rude they have simply found a new favourite coat. Kagool, windbreaker, Harrington, Duffle, Parka, Bomber = coat. When I got to London in 1992 it took me around a year to take my coat off and hang it or put on the back of a chair, even in the summer. My little bother still does the same when he comes down to visit, he'll wear his signature black Parka in a cosy London pub all night long. I can spot a northener in a F&B environment and I have to say a coated Northener really unsettles southern London types, the confusion is tantamount to aggro.
Old school London terminology for an outerwear style is a 'smother' I've always liked that slang, it suggests a reassuring arm around the shoulder from your coat of armour.
Back to Noel I'm guessing The Evening Standard got the image from an image library. Which is strange these days as we are bombarded with images left right and centre minute by minute. I wonder will we have iconic images from the 2020's, nothing has time to settle it seems, unless its some sort of cruel disaster.
Like or loathe Oasis they made a huge impression on menswear in the mid 1990s. Every clothing brand seemed to up their game and delved into their archives for Oasis friendly togs from Fake London to Elk. Would the Clarks Polyveldt really have been re-released without the bands endorsement? It's not for everyone that style, its a definite statement, worn without swagger and you'd look daft.
Around this time if menswear retailers had an Oasis style nod it was heavily backed. Its fair to say menswear brands and independent stores took courage to launch in the U.K based on the furore of this movement.
To be clear as with all bands through history Oasis didn't create their look. It had originated in N.W England and on the football terraces yada yada yada, you know the drill. But Oasis undoubtedly endorsed the baggy North West look for the masses. The same way The Who and The Small Faces were dressing like their mod mates from Manor Park London E12 or Shepherds Bush London W12 and the 1976 punk bands from Bromley, The Bromley contingent and so it goes.
In 1996 mentioning drugs got you in a spot of bother, somehow the band Northside's Shall We Take a Trip, Supergrass Caught by The Fuzz and Pulps Sorted For E's and Wizz got through the BBC middle England censors net. The Verves The Drugs Don't Work must have been a welcomed tune for the powers at beeb.
Maybe your gonna be the one that shaves me, your gonna serve me chips and gravy.
FAX
The Manchester City Brother sponsor was heavily linked to Liam & Noel back then, when the team were rubbish, maybe Manchester City have gone on a poor run of form to coincide with the Oasis reunion ? I mean its dead authentic, its like the 1990's all over again........
From my local pub beer garden in East London, I only smoke Cuban cigars and so I couldn't vote on my band of choice, the holes are too piddly.
"I was looking for some action
But all I found was cigarettes and alcohol"
Ps any tickets going spare?