Gallagher Brothers Say Oasis Bassist's Departure Won't Kill the Band

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The dust had barely settled following Oasis guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs' departure from the band two weeks ago when word came today that bass player Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan would also be jumping ship.

McGuigan, one of Oasis' founding members, announced his plans via a statement from the band's label, Creation Records, explaining that he had "finished his work on the new album and feels now is an opportune time to leave before the band undertakes touring and promotional activities later on this year." The statement went on to say that McGuigan "would like to thank the fans, as well as everyone he's worked with along the way, and wishes Oasis all the best for the future."

To allay concerns that the band would be fatally wounded by McGuigan's quitting, Noel and Liam Gallagher held a press conference at the small club where the band had its first public London gig in '94; fans and reporters were assured that "the future of Oasis is secure. The story and the glory will go on."

"We were a bit shocked at first but we just have to get on with it," said Noel. "We've got to keep going because I for one don't have any money left."

The Gallaghers told reporters that they had only found out about McGuigan's departure through his press statement, but emphasized that there were no hard feelings on either side and that, like Arthurs, McGuigan had left so that he could spend more time with his family.

And while the brothers said they haven't figured out who will replace either McGuigan or Arthurs, they are currently hard at work mixing their new album, which is due out next spring and will be followed by a nine-month tour, starting in March.

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Song Stories

“Karma Chameleon”

Culture Club | 1983

Boy George has said this song was about standing by what you believe in. However, at the time, he was involved in a secret affair with Culture Club drummer Jon Moss. "Now people can understand the songs better," he said. "They were written about my relationship with Jon, and they were also written about being a gay man in a homophobic world." The lines "If I listen to your lies, would you say/I'm a man without conviction/I'm a man who doesn't know how to sell a contradiction," described his life at the time, he said. "I was selling this big lie."

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