Oasis: The Fan’s Perspective – A Deep Dive
Dave Fanning on Oasis: From “Mad Fer It” to “Dad rock Bloat” and the Croke Park Comeback
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Radio legend Dave Fanning, a man who has witnessed and chronicled decades of musical evolution, shares his candid thoughts on oasis, their meteoric rise, their eventual decline, and their highly anticipated return to Dublin.
As Dave fanning approaches his 70th birthday next year, the question of whether he was “mad fer it” – referring to the Oasis phenomenon – elicits a characteristic chuckle.”Ehhhh, no. I was probably too old to be mad for it,” he admits with a laugh.”I didn’t buy the right hat or walk the right way but I did enjoy all that. I always enjoy a movement – like Madchester and Grunge and Liverpool, a hundred years ago.”
Fanning’s perspective on Oasis is nuanced, acknowledging their undeniable impact while also recognizing the band’s trajectory. While many might point to their early, seminal albums, Definitely Maybe and What’s The Story (Morning glory)?, as the peak of their creative output, some critics have suggested Oasis quickly devolved into what’s been termed “dad rock bloat.”
The Rise and Fall of an Empire: Be Here Now and Overindulgence
Fanning recalls a pivotal interview from 1997, coinciding with the release of their third album, Be Here Now. “Oasis are on top of the world, the biggest selling rock act in the world,” he remembers. “And you can feel it – Be Here Now wasn’t all that grate, the songs are way too long, all the orchestra stuff is nonsensical, every song is six minutes long and they should be three minutes. You can see the overindulgence.” This period marked a turning point, where the raw energy of their early work seemed to be overshadowed by excess.
The Fanning Files: Oasis – A Deep Dive into the Band’s Legacy
To explore this complex legacy, Fanning presents The Fanning Files: Oasis. This special series promises an in-depth look at the band, featuring contributions from key figures such as Liam and Noel Gallagher, Bonehead, Andy Bell, Alan mcgee, and the band’s original drummer, Tony McCarroll. Listeners can expect a treasure trove of stories,banter,and anecdotes,including Noel Gallagher’s own account of why he walked away from the band at the Rock en Seine Paris gig in 2009.
Croke Park Calling: Fanning’s Take on the Reunion Shows
With Oasis set to play their first Irish shows in 16 years at Croke park on August 16th and 17th, Fanning will be in attendance. However, his anticipation is tempered with a dose of his signature realism. “Yes, I’ll be there but I’m not looking so forward to it like everybody else is with their arms around each other, drinking pints,” he states.Fanning is critical of Oasis’s live performance style, contrasting it with more dynamic artists. “The thing is,Oasis don’t put on a show. Look at Chris Martin, he really knows how to bring in the whole audience. Oasis do nothing! Your man stands there with his hands behind his back.” He humorously recounts seeing a tribute band, No-asis, where the frontman mimicked this static stage presence, only for Noel Gallagher himself to headbutt him during a solo performance, eliciting a wild reaction from the crowd.
A Life in Music: Fanning’s diverse Tastes
Fanning’s own musical explorations are eclectic, ranging from tribute acts to contemporary chart-toppers. “Last Friday I went to the Purty Loft in Dun Laoghaire to see a David Bowie tribute act. Saturday and Sunday, I was at Billie Eilish. I also went to Coldplay in Croker last year – and they are for girls!” he quips, highlighting his broad gratitude for live music across genres and generations.
Catch The Fanning Files: Oasis at 6pm on RTÉ Radio 1 this Saturday.
Dave Fanning also hosts his show on RTÉ Gold, Monday to Friday, from 6pm to 8pm.